Special limited-offer ends 12/31/2025
Earn $300, plus up to APY1,2
Earn more with a bank you can trust. Just open a new checking account by December 31, 2025, and complete the three easy steps below.
How to earn your bonus
Step 1
Open a new account
Open a new Checking or Max-Rate Checking account by 12/31/2025 with promo code CHECKING25
Step 2
Set up direct deposit
Make at least 2 direct deposits, each of $1,500 or more, within 90 days of opening your new account.
Step 3
Get rewarded!
Receive a $300 bonus deposited into your new checking account.
Get rewarded when you choose the checking account that's right for you
Max-Rate Checking | Checking | |
---|---|---|
Annual Percentage Yield (APY) | APY1 | APY2 |
Transaction Fees (for online wire transfers, stop payments insufficient fund, and more) |
$0 | $0 |
ATM Refunds | Worldwide3 | Nationwide4 |
Foreign Transaction Fee Refunds5 | ✓ |
✗ |
FDIC-Insured | ✓ |
✓ |
Monthly Account Fee | $15 Waived if you maintain a $5,000 average monthly balance6 |
$0 |
Plus, earn a leading Annual Percentage Yield (APY) every day
Morgan Stanley Private Bank Max-Rate Checking | ||
American Express Rewards Checking | 1.00% | |
Capital One 360 Checking | 0.10% | |
Morgan Stanley Private Bank Checking | 0.05% | |
Bank of America Advantage Banking | 0.02% | |
Chase Total Checking | 0.00% |
Annual percentage yields on competitor accounts as of 9/8/20257
Benefits offered with every checking account
Safe and secure
Your money is FDIC-insured, up to applicable limits.8
Worry-free banking
Enjoy peace of mind when enrolled in free Coverdraft Protection.
Easy money movement
Enjoy unlimited online wires, money transfers and mobile check deposits.
Integrated account view
View your checking, savings and investing in one place.
24/7 banking access
Manage your money, pay bills and more with our best-in-class mobile app or online.9
Debit card
Add to your mobile wallets and use your debit card wherever Mastercard® is accepted.5 Learn more
Rated Best Checking Account 2025
For a second year in a row, our Max-Rate Checking Account from Morgan Stanley Private Bank is rated “Best Checking Account” by U.S. News and World Report.10

Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for this offer?
This offer is valid only for one individual and jointly owned Max-Rate Checking or Checking account newly opened from 09/08/2025 - 12/31/2025 and funded within 30 days of account opening.
You are not eligible if you have or had owned or co-owned (joint) a Max-Rate Checking or Checking Account within the last 12 months from when you enroll in this offer. View full offer eligibility details below.
What qualifies as direct deposit for my cash bonus?
In connection with this offer, a Direct Deposit means a regular recurring deposit of income to an account holder's Checking or Max-Rate Checking account, such as salary, pension, government payments (such as social security) from your employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency, that occurs through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network. At least two Direct Deposits each of $1,500 or more within the 90 days of account opening are required to earn the bonus for this offer.
Direct Deposits that are not regular recurring deposits of income do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. This includes but is not limited to: incoming wires, check deposits, mobile check deposits, person to person transfers payments (P2P) (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), Zelle® incoming payments, Real-Time Payment network transactions, Transfer Money transactions, funds transfers initiated using E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley's website or mobile app, internal transfers (e.g. from another bank account held at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC or from another brokerage account held at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney), deposit account to deposit account transfers (for example, from a checking account to another checking account or from a savings account to a checking account), deposits or ACH transfers not from an employer or the government (e.g., online transfers, bank transfers or brokerage transfers).
Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association, Member FDIC may, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Direct Deposit activity to determine eligibility and may require additional documentation to complete this verification.
How do I set up direct deposit?
You will need to set up a direct deposit directly with your employer or payment provider (e.g., Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Treasury). They will need your Checking account number and routing number and may also ask for your account type, which is Checking, and the name of the financial institution.
If your employer will accept a direct deposit form, you can also download one from our website. If you need more information or want to download the direct deposit form, visit www.etrade.com/directdeposit or contact our customer service team at 800-387-233.
How do I find my account and routing numbers to set up a direct deposit?
You can quickly find your account number online by logging on. You can find your account and routing number on your Complete View page and clicking Quick Links.
If you’re on the mobile app, you can find your account number by clicking Menu > Transfer > Set Up Direct Deposit.
You can always find your account and routing numbers on the checks associated with your account. For your reference, the routing number for Morgan Stanley Private Bank checking accounts is 256072691.
When will I receive my $300 cash bonus?
After the first 90 days from account opening, your status to receive the bonus will be assessed and processed, which can take up to 30 days. This means, if all requirements are met, you can expect your bonus to be deposited in your account on or about the 120th day from account opening.
See footnotes for additional details on offer eligibility and qualifications.
What interest rate can I earn with a Checking or Max-Rate Checking account?
As of , the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of the Max-Rate Checking Account is 1 and 2 APY for Checking.
Please visit etrade.com/ratesheet for information regarding this account's current interest rate and corresponding APY.