Chime® is an award-winning financial technology company (not a bank) built around a mobile-first banking app. Known for its clean app and lack of monthly fees, Chime asks very little of you to qualify for its sign-up bonus.

The Requirements: The Chime bonus has few strings attached. You typically just need to open a Checking Account and receive a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 within the first 30 days. Chime pays the $100 bonus shortly after the deposit clears.

Why we love it: Chime keeps fees out of the picture. There are no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance rules, and SpotMe® covers fee-free overdraft up to $200. It is a solid pick if you want a clean app and a straightforward payout.

SoFi has built itself into a popular online banking option for young professionals. Its Checking and Savings hybrid account pairs a sign-up bonus with a competitive Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on your savings balances.

The Requirements: SoFi's bonus is tiered by how much you direct deposit in a 25-day window: $1,000 in deposits earns $50, and $5,000 or more earns the full $400. Once your direct deposit clears, SoFi pays out the bonus quickly.

Why we love it: Unlike traditional banks, SoFi charges zero account fees. You will not pay monthly maintenance or overdraft fees, and there is no minimum balance to keep. That makes it a low-maintenance place to park your paycheck, with the bonus on top.

The Chase Total Checking bonus is a staple in the personal finance community. Most beginners rate it the easiest and most reliable bonus to tackle. Chase has a huge national footprint, so it is easy to pop into a branch if you ever need in-person support.

The Requirements: The bonus is $400 for setting up direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more within the first 90 days. Chase counts a fairly wide range of deposits here: an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension, or government benefits from your employer or the government.

Why we love it: The payout is usually fast, arriving in your account within days of your first direct deposit hitting. Plus, waiving the monthly maintenance fee is straightforward: just keep a $1,500 beginning day balance or have $500+ in electronic deposits each month.

Ally Bank has a reputation for being easy to use, and its savings bonus is a great entry point for anyone new to sign-up bonuses. There is no minimum balance and no monthly fee, and your savings still earn a competitive APY, so the barrier to starting is low.

The Requirements: Simply open a new Ally Savings Account, set up an automated recurring monthly transfer into the account within 30 days, and complete at least 3 consecutive monthly transfers. There is no stated minimum transfer amount, so even small transfers count.

Why we love it: This is the definition of a set-it-and-forget-it bonus. Once you schedule your recurring transfer, you can forget about it and collect your $100 after a few months. Plus, your money earns a competitive APY while it sits there. There is no direct deposit to chase and nothing to track once it is set up.

OnPath Federal Credit Union is the only credit union on this list, and it brings the highest rate: a rewards checking account paying up to 6% APY, plus a $150 sign-up bonus and no monthly fee.

The Requirements: Open the checking account, make one direct deposit of $250 or more, and run at least 15 debit-card transactions. As a credit union, OnPath has a membership step, so check the eligibility section before you apply.

Why we love it: You get a real bonus and an ongoing 6% APY in one account, which most big banks cannot match. The 15 debit transactions take a little planning, but small everyday purchases count, so a week of normal spending usually covers it.