Bank of the West thanks its new holders in the most concrete way possible: by giving cash bonuses. When you open a checking account with this bank, you’re automatically given $100. This will be automatically funded to your checking account the minute you activate it. Of course, you have to deposit at least $250 first into a personal savings account which would fund this checking account.

According to the bank’s promo page, their checking account allows you to make 10 online bills payment or a direct deposit of $250 minimum to the account. Online banking options are totally free for this account, and you can also order an unlimited number of checks—a rare feature for this type of account. Most checking accounts limit their free checks, but this one doesn’t. For this alone you can say that it’s the best checking account in the area.

The application may also be processed online. They claim that it only takes only seven minutes to complete, as long as you already have the necessary softcopies of the documents. You will need a taxpayer’s ID or a social security ID, a driver’s license or an ID issued by the state, a routing number just in case you’re transferring money from another account, and $100 minimum to open the account.

The only clincher is that the $100 bonus is only applicable in certain states. This best reward checking account is not offered nationwide, and you have to call up your branch first before you open the account. The last time we’ve checked, the $100 bonus is not offered to clients in CA, NV, WY, UT, and CO. On the other hand, it is offered in WI, WA, SD, OR, OK, ND, NM, NE, MO, MN, KS, IA, ID, and AZ.

You may also want to check the bank for their best reward checking account rate. This isn’t posted online, but if you call their hotline which is (800)488.2265, the bank’s representative should be more than happy to assist you.

The Bank of the West is considered one of the top regional banks in the USA. Bankrate.com gives mixed ratings of this bank, depending on the branch. The ones offering the bonus, though, scored well, averaging four out of five stars in terms of stability. The bank has been a member of the FDIC since 1934. It is insured under FCID Certificate #3514.