A $300 Checking Bonus for Four Southern States
If you live in Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, or New Mexico, there’s a fresh bank bonus worth a look: First National Bank Texas is offering $300 to customers who open a new Power Checking account and meet the bank’s requirements, according to a report from Doctor of Credit published August 9, 2026.
What makes this one stand out isn’t just the dollar amount — it’s the accessibility. This offer comes with a soft credit pull, meaning applying won’t ding your credit score, and it’s no ChexSystems, which is a big deal if you’ve had banking hiccups in the past that made other institutions turn you away. One requirement to flag up front: the account can’t be funded with a credit card, so plan to fund it from an existing checking or savings account instead.
Who This Is Best For
This deal is a strong fit for:
- Families in the four-state footprint (TX, AZ, AR, NM) who already have a direct deposit — paycheck, benefits, or otherwise — that they can route to a new account without much hassle.
- Value-seekers rebuilding their banking history, since the no-ChexSystems policy opens the door to people who’ve been declined elsewhere.
- Anyone credit-conscious, thanks to the soft pull — you can shop this bonus without worrying about a hard inquiry showing up on your report.
It’s less useful if you’re outside those four states (First National Bank Texas doesn’t extend this offer nationally) or if you don’t have a direct deposit to set up, since that’s listed as a requirement for earning the bonus.
How It Stacks Up
We recently covered the FNB Coweta $150 Checking Bonus, which doesn’t require direct deposit at all — a good backup if you can’t commit to switching your paycheck over, or if you’re outside the TX/AZ/AR/NM footprint. This First National Bank Texas offer pays double that bonus, but it asks more of you in return: a real direct deposit relationship with the bank.
Caveats to Know Before You Apply
Doctor of Credit’s writeup doesn’t spell out every fine-print detail — the specific direct deposit thresholds, the timeline to earn the $300, or any minimum balance requirements — so read the full terms on First National Bank Texas’ application page before you open the account. As with any bank bonus, confirm there’s no monthly maintenance fee eating into what you earn, and don’t close the account early if there’s a minimum-tenure clause, which is standard with these offers.
Bottom Line
If you’re in Texas, Arizona, Arkansas, or New Mexico and you have a direct deposit ready to move, a $300 bonus with a soft pull and no ChexSystems check is a low-risk way to pad your summer budget — handy timing with back-to-school costs creeping up. Read the full details and requirements at the source below before applying.