Level Up Your Checking
Earn Up to $5001 Cash Bonus
when you open a new checking account by March 15, 2026 and complete qualifying activities in the first 90 days.
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$200
Steps to earn $2001 |
$300
Steps to earn $3001 |
$500 Steps to earn $5001 |
|---|---|---|
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Busey Foundation Checking
A simple, straightforward checking option with everything you need.
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $100
- No monthly service charge, no minimum balance, no direct deposit requirement
- No fee for electronic statements; paper statement fee $4
Busey Pillar Banking
Our flagship checking account that actually pays you.
Earn a competitive interest rate and enjoy free or discounted banking services including free Specialty Blue consumer checks, free Official checks, 25% off of annual safe deposit box fees, free paper statements and special rate increases on eligible CD and IRA products!
- Minimum Opening Deposit: $100
- Interest earned daily when minimum balance of $3,000 to earn interest is maintained; interest paid monthly4.
- Monthly Maintenance fee: $15 or $0 if you:
- Have a balance of $15,000.00 or more in your Pillar Banking account on the day it cycles
OR - Have a combined total of $15,000.00 or more in eligible accounts on the day it cycles. Eligible balance includes checking, savings, money market accounts, CDs and IRAs, making it even easier to maintain the minimum balance and better representing your deposits with Busey.
- No fee for electronic or paper statements
1 Offer valid for limited time for accounts opened by March 15, 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.
Open a new Busey Pillar Banking or Foundation Checking account online or in-person using the promotional code to be enrolled in this offer and within ninety 90 days of account opening:
- Enroll in online banking
- Activate and use your Busey Debit Mastercard® for at least three (3) transactions
- Set up and receive qualifying direct deposits as defined below into that eligible personal checking account
Ninety (90) days after account opening all qualifying direct deposits will be totaled to determine the bonus amount you may earn (see chart below).
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Total Qualifying Direct Deposits
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Bonus Amount |
|---|---|
| < $2,000 | $0 |
| $2,000 – $2,999.99 | $200 |
| $3,000 – $4,999.99 | $300 |
| $5,000 or more | $500 |
A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic deposit of regular monthly income such as your salary, pension, or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer government, or other payer. Deposits made by teller/ATM/mobile deposits, wire transfers, debit card transfers, external transfers from other accounts at Busey, other financial institutions, or brokerage accounts, Person-to-Person and Account-to-Account transfers do not qualify.
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.
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.
2 Foundation Checking Account: Minimum deposit to open the account is $100.00.
3 Pillar Banking Account is an interest-bearing account, the interest rate and annual percentage yield may change after the account is opened. Minimum deposit to open the account is $100.00. The Monthly Maintenance Fee for the account is $15.00. This fee will be waived if, on the day the account cycles, you maintain a minimum balance of $15,000.00 in your Pillar Banking account or maintain a combined balance of $15,000.00 or more in eligible accounts. Eligible balances include checking, savings, money market accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is as follows: less than $2,999.99, 0.00%; $3,000 to $19,999.99, 0.01%, and $20,000 and over, 0.01%. APYs are accurate as of 01/27/2026.
3 Pillar Banking Account is an interest-bearing account, the interest rate and annual percentage yield may change after the account is opened. Minimum deposit to open the account is $100.00. The Monthly Maintenance Fee for the account is $15.00. This fee will be waived if, on the day the account cycles, you maintain a minimum balance of $15,000.00 in your Pillar Banking account or maintain a combined balance of $15,000.00 or more in eligible accounts. Eligible balances include checking, savings, money market accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and individual retirement accounts (IRAs).Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is as follows: less than $2,999.99, 0.00%; $3,000 to $19,999.99, 0.01%, and $20,000 and over, 0.01%. APYs are accurate as of 01/27/2026.
4 We use the daily balance method to calculate the interest on your account. This method applies the daily periodic rate to the principal in the account each day. Interest begins to accrue no later than the business day we receive credit for deposit of noncash items (for example, checks). Interest is compounded and credited on the last day of the statement cycle. If you close your account before interest is credited, you will not receive the accrued interest.