Connexus Credit Union: Rewards Checking $300 Bonus + 5% APY

Connexus Credit Union has a $300 bonus for their Xtraordinary Checking Account, which is a “Rewards” checking account that requires a number of debit card transactions and other activities to earn a special rate (currently 5% APY). Anyone can join this credit union via partner organization Connexus Association for a one-time $5 fee. Here are the promo highlights:

• Must open a new Xtraordinary Checking Account between 9/08/2025 and 11/09/2025 with promo code XTRABONUS. Individuals who previously had a Connexus Checking Account are eligible, so long as the account closure occurred before 7/01/2025.
• Meet the following account requirements for two month-end periods within 120 days of account opening:
• Make 15 debit card purchases or accumulate $500 in debit card spending.
• Be subscribed to eStatements.
• Make one monthly deposit of at least $500 from either a direct deposit or an ACH deposit.
• Bonus will be based on your average daily balance during the two qualifying months:
  • $0 bonus: $999.99 or less
  • $100 bonus: $1,000.00 – $4,999.99
  • $200 bonus: $5,000.00 – $9,999.99
  • $300 bonus: $10,000.00 or more

Notably, the “monthly deposit” does not have to be a Direct Deposit of payroll. ACH transfers count. From their fine print:

What qualifies as a monthly direct deposit or an ACH deposit (from a non-Connexus account) into my Xtraordinary Checking Account?
Some example deposits for this account requirement include direct deposit from payroll, retirement benefits, or government benefits.

Additionally, you can use Connexus Digital Banking to link to an external account at a different financial institution and transfer funds into your Xtraordinary Checking Account each month to meet the ACH deposit requirement.

I currently have my direct deposit going to another institution. Can I set up a monthly $500 ACH transfer from my other financial institution to meet this account requirement?
Yes, this would meet the monthly direct deposit account requirement. Please contact us to ensure you have the correct information to set up your ACH transfer.

Besides the bonus, these same monthly requirements will also qualify you for the top 5.00% APY rate on balances up to $25,000. This means you can get both. The checking account has no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirement. They offer a handy tool to make sure you are qualifying.

Technically, you can earn the $300 bonus with a $10,000 balance held for only 2 months (say 60 days) or even less if you finish the qualifying activities within a partial month (like the rest of September and then October). $300 on $10,000 held for 60 days is 18% APY annualized. You’d also be getting the 5% APY rate as well with qualifying activities.

Connexus CU has historically offered some competitive CD rates in the past. Readers at DoC report that they are tight on identity verification and thus may ask for a utility bill, Social Security card, etc. I like that you don’t have to switch over your direct deposit for this bonus, although you do have to make a bunch of debit card purchases. Amazon $1 purchases and Self-checkout are your friend!