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Get $500 when you open a new Advantage Checking account1

1 With qualifying activities. Terms apply.

Advantage Checking


$5001 Bonus


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Perks

  • Free credit score monitoring
  • ID theft protection2 & card controls with Mastercard debit card3
  • No overdraft protection transfer fee from any linked account4

Meet bonus requirement1

  • Set up and complete one payroll Direct Deposit of $500 or more in the first 90 days of account opening

$0 maintenance fee if you meet 1 of these:

  • One $500 direct deposit5 per month or
  • 15 debit card transactions per month6 or
  • Maintain at least $1,500 in minimum combined personal deposit balances
  • Otherwise $15

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Benefits of Banking with a Best Bank7

Ready to open a new checking account with a best bank7?

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Send this offer to me for later.

Claim your Bonus1 and Start Banking with a Top-Rated Bank.

First Merchants has been named a Best Bank by Forbes and American Banker for multiple years running. Get $5001 with our checking account promotion when you open a qualified checking account and complete the offer requirements. Just click “Open Account” above and the promo code “MD2025” will be automatically applied. You can also schedule an appointment and ask one of our attentive First Merchants bankers to enroll you in the “MD2025 Checking Offer” when opening your account.

1 Terms and Conditions for the First Merchants Bank (FMB) Advantage Checking Offer:

How to Get Your Offer: Ask an FMB banker to enroll you in the “MD2025” when opening your account or open your account online at www.firstmerchants.com and enter the promo code “MD2025” in the promotion code box on your application. You must be a new FMB personal checking account holder. Account holders with an existing personal checking account with FMB (either as the primary or secondary account holder) are not eligible. You must not have closed a personal checking account within the last 12 months of the promotion start date (on or after 5/28/25). The primary account holder of the participating checking account must be at least 18 years old at the time of account opening and reside in Indiana, Michigan, or Ohio. FMB employee accounts are not eligible. Get $500 for opening a new Advantage Checking account by setting up and completing one qualifying payroll Direct Deposit of $500 or more in the first 90 days of account opening. A qualifying Direct Deposit is an electronic credit to your account by your employer or an outside agency. Transfers from one account to another, or deposits made at a banking location or ATM, do not qualify. Multiple deposits of less than required amount will not qualify. Offer valid for new FMB Advantage checking accounts opened from 5/28/25 to 12/31/25. After meeting the qualification requirements, the applicable bonus will be credited to the new checking account in the sixth month of the account being opened. This promotion is only applicable once per client. FMB may report the value of the bonus received through any offer to the Internal Revenue Service as required by law. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Offer will be at the sole discretion of the bank. If the checking account type is changed or is closed by the customer or FMB within six months after opening, you will be charged the bonus amount ($500) and the early closing fee ($50). This offer is subject to change and may be discontinued at any time. The offer is non-transferable and may not be combined with any other offers. If a customer applies for two offers, FMB will choose the incentive offer that is paid.

2 Certain restrictions, terms, and conditions apply.

3 Certain restrictions apply. Please see www.mastercard.us/zero-liability.html for more details. MasterCard® benefits are offered through MasterCard® card services. Please call 1-800-MASTERCARD for assistance. MasterCard® Enhanced Benefits are provided by MasterCard® to First Merchants Personal MasterCard® debit card holders at no additional cost.

4 We’ll automatically transfer funds to cover your negative balance, in $50 increments on linked deposit accounts. Other account service charges may still apply.

5 Multiple deposits of less than required amount will not qualify to waive the monthly maintenance fee.

6 Debit Card transaction includes point of sale transaction, signature based transaction, or ATM withdrawal.

7 See details on our ‘Best bank’ awards at firstmerchants.com/awards-accolades

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