Citi Regular Checking Review (2026.10 Update: $325/$475 Offer)

     2026-10-30     2026-10-30 36 Comments

Checking Accounts

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Citi Regular Checking (Formerly Citi Basic Banking Package) Review

[2026.10 Update] In addition to the $325 checking bonus, Citi now offers a $475 bonus for opening both a Regular Checking account and a Citi Savings account. Offer ends 01/11/27. Also note that, effective January 1, 2027, the monthly Enhanced Direct Deposit (EDD) amount required to waive the Monthly Service Fee on Citi Regular Checking will increase from $250 to $1,000.

[2026.1 Update] The $425 offer is expired. The current offer is $325.

[2024.10 Update] The new offer is $325/$425, the required amount of Enhanced Direct Deposit is $3k/$6k. Because Citi’s “Enhanced Direct Deposit” is super easy to do, we recommend everybody to do the $425 offer.

Application Link

Benefits

  1. $325/$475 sign-up bonus! Please read below for the requirement to get this bonus.
  2. There is a monthly maintenance fee of $15. Please read below for how to avoid the monthly fee.
  3. No early termination fee.

Bonus Requirements

  1. This bonus is only available for new clients. Those who currently have a Citi checking or savings account, or have closed an account within 365 days are not eligible for this offer. Those with a Citi credit card are not exempt from this offer.
  2. $325 offer: Make at least two Enhanced Direct Deposits (EDDs) totaling $3,000 or more within 90 days of account opening. We explain what qualifies as an EDD below—this requirement is actually very easy to meet.
  3. $475 offer: In addition to meeting the requirements above, open a Citi Savings account within 45 days after opening your checking account, and maintain a balance of at least $5,000 in the savings account every day from day 46 through day 90, counting from the checking account opening date.

What is Enhanced Direct Deposits (EDD)?

Enhanced Direct Deposits (EDD) is a word created by Citi, and it is different from Direct Deposit (DD). The official definition is:

An EDD is an electronic deposit through the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network of payroll, pension, social security, government benefits and other payments to your checking or savings account. An Enhanced Direct Deposit also includes all deposits via Zelle® and other P2P payments when made via ACH using providers such as Venmo or PayPal. Teller deposits, cash deposits, check deposits, wire transfers, transfers between Citibank accounts, ATM transfers and deposits, mobile check deposits, and P2P payments using a debit card do not qualify as an Enhanced Direct Deposit.

So, the following methods all count towards EDD: Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, and regular ACH transfers. Therefore it is very easy to satisfy the requirement.

How to Avoid the Monthly Fee (Meet Any One of the Requirements Below)

  1. At least $250 Enhanced Direct Deposit (EDD) each month. (The amount will be increased to $1,000 starting from Jan 1, 2027)

Different Citi Checking Accounts

Here is a comparison and contrast on the official website.

Summary

The welcome offer is super easy to get, so it is worth opening. This account is also a basic Citi checking account which can be a good downgrade option.

Application Link

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