Busey Bank Bonuses: $200, $300, $500 Checking Promotions (IL)

Find the most recent Busey Bank bonuses, promotions, and offers here.

Update 3/4/26: Currently, they have an up to $500 bonus when you open a checking account and meet all the requirements valid through 5/1/26.

Busey Bank Bonuses Review

While they operate multiple business lines, they serve their customers as One Busey. Since Busey Bank opened their doors over 150 years ago, their core values have remained, creating a strong foundation and shaping their culture.

I’ll go over the Busey Bank offers below.

Busey Bank $500 Checking Bonus

You can receive a $500 bonus when you open a new checking account and meet the requirements.

• What you’ll get: Up to $500 bonus
• Eligible account: Checking Account
• Where it’s available: IL (Branch Locator)
• Credit Inquiry: Soft Pull or Hard Pull? Let us know.
• Direct Deposit Requirement: Yes
• Monthly Fee: $0-$12; waivable
• How to earn it:
  • Earn Up to $500 Cash Bonus when you open a new checking account by May 1, 2026 and complete qualifying activities in the first 90 days.
  • Earn $200 bonus:
    • Open a Foundation Checking account using promo code LevelUp or Pillar Banking account using promo code LevelUp. If opening an account online, please enter the promo code at the end of your online application.
    • Enroll in online banking
    • Use your Busey Debit Mastercard® at least 3 times within 90 days of account opening
    • Set up and receive at least $2,000 from direct deposits into your new account within 90 days of account opening
  • Earn $300 bonus:
    • Open a Foundation Checking account using promo code LevelUp or Pillar Banking account using promo code LevelUp. If opening an account online, please enter the promo code at the end of your online application.
    • Enroll in online banking
    • Use your Busey Debit Mastercard® at least 3 times within 90 days of account opening
    • Set up and receive at least $3,000 from direct deposits into your new account within 90 days of account opening
  • Earn $500 bonus:
    • Open a Foundation Checking account using promo code LevelUp or Pillar Banking account using promo code LevelUp. If opening an account online, please enter the promo code at the end of your online application.
    • Enroll in online banking
    • Use your Busey Debit Mastercard® at least 3 times within 90 days of account openings
    • Set up and receive at least $5,000 from direct deposits into your new account within 90 days of account opening

(Expires 05/01/2026)

Fine Prit

• Offer valid for limited time for accounts opened by May 1, 2026. Busey Bank may change or discontinue this offer at any time before this date without notice. This offer is available only by using the unique promo code “LEVELUP1” for Foundation Checking or “LEVELUP2” for Pillar Banking accounts opened online or in-person at a Busey location only and qualifying as outlined below. Only one offer per household. Must have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) at account opening to qualify for this promotion. All accounts are subject to approval.
• You will not qualify for the tiered credit if you are an existing Busey personal checking account customer, you are a Busey Bank employee OR had a previous personal checking account that was closed within the preceding 12 months OR have received a prior personal checking account incentive at any time.
• After all of the requirements are satisfied, we will deposit the earned bonus directly into your new eligible checking account within one hundred thirty (130) days of account opening. The new eligible personal checking account must be open for at least 90 days prior to receiving the bonus and in good standing up to and including the date any earned bonus is paid.
• The incentive may be considered income and Busey Bank may issue an IRS Form 1099- MISC (or other appropriate form). Please consult your tax advisor.

Busey Bank $250, $300, or $500 Checking Bonus (Expired)

You can receive up to a $500 bonus when you open a new checking account and meet the requirements.

• What you’ll get: Up to $500 Bonus
• Eligible account: Checking Account
• Where it’s available: IL (Branch Locator)
• Credit Inquiry: Soft Pull or Hard Pull? Let us know.
• Direct Deposit Requirement: Yes
• Monthly Fee: $0-$12; waivable
• How to earn it:
  • $500 Bonus Mortgage Relationship Pack for New Customers:
    • Open a new Busey checking account can earn up to $500 account opening bonus.
    • To earn the account opening bonus, set up Payroll or Government Direct Deposit.
  • $300 Bonus Military Banking Relationship Pack:
    • Open a new Pillar Banking checking account with payroll direct deposit and two other beneficial services like bill pay, a savings or money market account, or automated loan payment.
    • $100 minimum opening balance.
    • Proof of U.S. military service required.
  • $250 Bonus Mortgage Relationship Pack for Existing Customers:
    • Open a new Busey checking account can earn up to $250 account opening bonus.
    • To earn the account opening bonus, set up Payroll or Government Direct Deposit.

(No Expiration Date Listed)

Fine Prit

• Offer limited to one per household and cannot be combined with any other offer.
• Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT.
• A new mortgage loan is required for bonus payment.
• Mortgage loan subject to credit approval and final underwriting.
• Household deposits include any checking, savings or money market account held in the name of either borrower, either individually or jointly.
• Relationship Pack must be completed within 18 calendar days of loan application to receive closing cost credit (to be applied at closing).
• FDIC Insured.

Busey Bank $1,000 Checking Bonus (Expired)

You can receive a $1,000 bonus when you open a new checking account and meet the requirements.

• What you’ll get: $1,000 Bonus
• Eligible account: Checking Account
• Where it’s available: IL
• Credit Inquiry: Soft Pull or Hard Pull? Let us know.
• Direct Deposit Requirement: Yes
• Monthly Fee: $0-$12; waivable
• How to earn it:
  • Open a new checking account at Busey Bank with a minimum opening deposit of $100
  • Must meet required bill pay, average monthly balance, and direct deposit transactions

Fine Print

• Bonus is paid as $250 every 90 days, maximum of $1,000 per customer and household in the first
  year after account opening at Busey.
• Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT.
• Offer valid for new retail customers and households in Indianapolis market service area only.
• Busey employees are ineligible for this account promotion.
• $100 minimum opening balance; balance maintained in primary checking account is included when calculating the minimum on deposit.
• Account must be open and in good standing for at least 45 days before service may be added.

How To Waive Monthly Fees

• Student Checking: None
• Performance Money Market: None
• Foundation Checking: $5 monthly fee. No monthly fee with a direct deposit or average balance of $100.
• Pillar Banking: $12 monthly fee. Maintain a $3,000 daily minimum balance or $10,000 on deposit in any combination of other checking, savings or money market account balances
• StartFresh Checking: $9.95 monthly maintenance fee

Conclusion

I highly recommend checking out this bonus from Busey Bank if you live in the qualifying area. This is probably one of the highest checking account bonuses out there, and the requirements are rather simple. However, be sure to check with a CSR to find out any other details and if it triggers a hard or soft pull.

I would check out a list of our Savings, Money Market, and CD Rates to find other generous promotions you can utilize.

• Best Savings/Money Market rates
• Best CD Account rates

If you are not eligible for these promotions, use our bank bonuses page to find other offers. Some popular bank offers include Chase Bank, TD Bank, Huntington Bank, HSBC Bank and many more.

Feel free to comment on this post with any questions you may have about Busey Bank, their accounts they offer, or coupon codes.

Check back often for more Busey Bank Bonuses, Promotions, or Offers!