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Update 8/19/25: New link available for $500 instead of $300. Same requirements.

Update 8/17/25: Deal is back until 09/26/25. This time until for $300. Hat tip to reader PS

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $235
• Availability: New Jersey, New York & Pennsylvania
• Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+ per month
• Additional requirements: See below
• Hard/soft pull: Soft
• ChexSystems: Unknown, sensitive (might not be sensitive in branch)
• Credit card funding: None
• Monthly fees: None
• Early account termination fee: 12 months, bonus forfeit
• Household limit: None listed
• Expiration date: 12/31/22

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• OceanFirst is offering a bonus of $500 when you open a new free style checking account and complete the following requirements:
  • At least two cycles of an electronic recurring direct deposit of $500 or more has posted to the account
  • eStatements is elected
  • Accountholder is active on the OceanFirst Bank mobile app within 30 days leading up to the bonus payout date

The Fine Print

• Promotion runs 09/06/22 through 12/31/22.
• Offer available for New FreeStyle Checking account customers only.
• Account must be opened with funds not currently on deposit at OceanFirst Bank.
• Eligibility for the $235 bonus requires that all three of the following conditions are met: At least two cycles of an electronic recurring direct deposit of $500 or more has posted to the account, eStatements is elected and the accountholder is active on the OceanFirst Bank mobile app within 30 days leading up to the bonus payout date.
• Bonus will be paid on the first business day after your 90-day account opening anniversary.
• All cash bonuses are taxable.
• $50 minimum to open any OceanFirst checking account.
• FreeStyle Checking features no monthly minimum balance requirement.
• Account must remain open and active for one year or bonus will be forfeited. All Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) on interest-bearing accounts subject to change.
• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

This account has no monthly fees to worry about

Early Account Termination Fee

Bonus forfeit if closed within 12 months

Our Verdict

Not as good as the most recent $250 deal with no direct deposit required. But that hasn’t been available since 2019 so if you live in an eligible area then this deal is worth doing. We will add this to our list of the best checking bonuses.

Hat tip to Bockrr

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:

• A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
• Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
• PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
• Introduction To ChexSystems
• Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
• What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
• How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
• Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
• How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
• Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
• Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank
• Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications
• Bank Bonus Posting Times