Slickdeals is community-supported.  We may get paid by brands for deals, including promoted items.
Frontpage Advertiser Disclosure

SoFi Checking & Savings: Earn Up to 3.80% APY + Up to $300 with Direct Deposit, terms apply

+154 Deal Score
546,076 Views
SoFi® is offering up to $300 with direct deposit, terms apply. Up to 4.60% -> now 4.50% -> now 4.30% -> now 4.20% -> now 4.00% -> now 3.80% (as of 1/23/2025) annual percentage yield (APY) on savings and 0.50% APY on checking. No account fees.

The Direct Deposit Promotion will begin on 12/7/2023 at 12:01AM ET and end on 1/31/26 at 11:59PM ET.

Details/Features:
  • After Opening a New Account and setting up Direct Deposit, wait for your direct deposit to hit your account (typically 2-4 weeks).
  • Amount of Direct Deposit Cash Bonus depends on Total Direct Deposit amount in 30-day Evaluation Period :
    • $1,000 - $4,999 Total Direct Deposit: $50 Cash Bonus
    • $5,000 or more Total Direct Deposit: $300 Cash Bonus
  • SoFi will credit members who meet qualification criteria within seven business days of the end of the Evaluation Period.
  • No overdraft fees. No minimum balance fees. No monthly fees. Plus, 55,000+ fee-free ATMs within the Allpoint Network.
  • Up to 2-day-early-paycheck
  • Organize your money, set savings goals, and save your change with Vaults and Roundups.
  • You'll earn up to 4.60% -> now 4.50% -> now 4.30% -> now 4.20% -> now 4.00% -> now 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and up to 0.50% APY on checking balances.
  • There is no minimum direct deposit amount required. However, please note that there is a minimum direct deposit required for No-Fee Overdraft Coverage ($1,000).
  • Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/banking/
  • Member FDIC
  1. Up to $300 Bonus Tiered Disclosure
    New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.
    SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
  2. APY disclosures
    SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.
  3. Fee Policy
    We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at
    sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.
  4. Additional FDIC Insurance
    SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC's regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.
  5. ATM Access
    We've partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees incurred when using out-of-network ATMs are not subject to reimbursement. SoFi's ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.
  6. Early Access to Direct Deposit Funds
    Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.
  7. Overdraft Coverage
    Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the "Start Date" and "End Date" set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the "30-Day Evaluation Period"). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.
Slickdeals may be compensated by SoFi®

Original Post

Written by
Edited May 5, 2025 at 10:24 AM by
SoFi® is offering up to $300 with direct deposit, terms apply. Up to 4.60% -> now 4.50% -> now 4.30% -> now 4.20% -> now 4.00% -> now 3.80% (as of 1/23/2025) annual percentage yield (APY) on savings and 0.50% APY on checking. No account fees.

The Direct Deposit Promotion will begin on 12/7/2023 at 12:01AM ET and end on 1/31/26 at 11:59PM ET.

Details/Features:
  • After Opening a New Account and setting up Direct Deposit, wait for your direct deposit to hit your account (typically 2-4 weeks).
  • Amount of Direct Deposit Cash Bonus depends on Total Direct Deposit amount in 30-day Evaluation Period :
    • $1,000 - $4,999 Total Direct Deposit: $50 Cash Bonus
    • $5,000 or more Total Direct Deposit: $300 Cash Bonus
  • SoFi will credit members who meet qualification criteria within seven business days of the end of the Evaluation Period.
  • No overdraft fees. No minimum balance fees. No monthly fees. Plus, 55,000+ fee-free ATMs within the Allpoint Network.
  • Up to 2-day-early-paycheck
  • Organize your money, set savings goals, and save your change with Vaults and Roundups.
  • You'll earn up to 4.60% -> now 4.50% -> now 4.30% -> now 4.20% -> now 4.00% -> now 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and up to 0.50% APY on checking balances.
  • There is no minimum direct deposit amount required. However, please note that there is a minimum direct deposit required for No-Fee Overdraft Coverage ($1,000).
  • Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/banking/
  • Member FDIC
  1. Up to $300 Bonus Tiered Disclosure
    New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.
    SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
  2. APY disclosures
    SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.
  3. Fee Policy
    We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at
    sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.
  4. Additional FDIC Insurance
    SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC's regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.
  5. ATM Access
    We've partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees incurred when using out-of-network ATMs are not subject to reimbursement. SoFi's ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.
  6. Early Access to Direct Deposit Funds
    Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.
  7. Overdraft Coverage
    Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the "Start Date" and "End Date" set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the "30-Day Evaluation Period"). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.

Slickdeals may be compensated by SoFi®
Add Comment
Created 12-07-2023 at 11:06 AM by EfficientGame645
If you purchase something through a post on our site, Slickdeals may get a small share of the sale.
Deal
Score
+154
546,076 Views
These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

479 Comments

Your comment cannot be blank.

Featured Comments

Don't recommend this bank for serious users unless your goal is just to earn the signing bonus. I had SoFi for roughly 6 months, used them for direct deposit and bill pays as I normally did with other banks. One day I got an email saying my account was locked and needed to call their 800 number. I called multiple times and their CSRs were not only clueless but also rude by hanging up on customers if they didn't have answers. When asking to speak with their manager, their standard answer was "this is the highest escalation point". They could not tell you any reason why the account was locked, nor a timeline when the so-called internal review would be completed. During that review period, all scheduled payments will be declined and they are not responsible for any consequences. I filed complaints with CFPB, OCC and BBB, and got the restriction removed in a week or so. SoFi finally sent me a letter stating that "Regrettably, it was found that our system flagged your account in error, which caused the restriction. We offer our deepest apologies for the error and delay". As soon as the lock was removed, I closed my accounts and advised my family members and friends to do the same, because you never know when SoFi would decide to lock down your access to your own money without reasons and timelines.
any tricks for the direct deposit? will a bank transfer qualify?

NM, I read the fine print.

Bonus Terms: In order to qualify for eligibility for a bonus, SoFi must receive at least one Direct Deposit (as defined below) from an Eligible Participant, the first of which must be received on or after 12/7/2023. Direct Deposits are defined as deposits of $1,000.00 or greater from an enrolled member's employer, payroll, benefits provider, or government agency via ACH deposit. Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, benefits provider, or government agency (such as check deposits; P2P transfers such as from PayPal or Venmo, etc.; merchant transactions such as from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.; and external bank ACH transfers not from employers) do not qualify for this Direct Deposit Promotion. The amount of the bonus, if any, will be calculated during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period as described and defined below.
SoFi is great but they still have some common FinTech limitations that are annoying.
- You can only link other bank accounts using Plaid. If you don't agree to Plaid terms you are pretty much out of luck.
- Email notifications are very limited, they try to only use push notifications which are not nearly as good for keeping history and you have to keep the app on your phone.
- They do have a website at least, but it's very basic and similar to the app.

On the good side though
- The debit card is great, no foreign transaction fees, and many free ATMs
- You can keep all money in savings account and auto-draft to maximize interest
- Vaults are good for securing and saving money

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Jan 2019
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 31 Posts
10 Reputation
gimmegimmenow
12-04-2024 at 05:39 PM.
12-04-2024 at 05:39 PM.
Quote from mrwhitewalker :
To confirm, you can just close the account as soon as you get the bonus right? I do not see any minimum time in the T&C

it's $5k direct deposit in 25 days
It's deceiving advertising
Reply
Joined Jul 2019
L3: Novice
> bubble2 202 Posts
26 Reputation
CleverWeather6968
12-04-2024 at 06:50 PM.
12-04-2024 at 06:50 PM.
I am ghosting on this SoFI deal, as their recruitment team Ghost on the aspiring candidates !!
Reply
Joined Nov 2017
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,080 Posts
198 Reputation
twiggy_alien_man
12-05-2024 at 04:30 PM.
12-05-2024 at 04:30 PM.
Quote from gimmegimmenow :
it's $5k direct deposit in 25 days
It's deceiving advertising

That's not what their question is...

They're asking when you can close your account after the bonus posts.
Reply
Joined Nov 2017
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,080 Posts
198 Reputation
twiggy_alien_man
12-05-2024 at 04:34 PM.
12-05-2024 at 04:34 PM.
Quote from gimmegimmenow :
This is deceiving at best …the $300 bonus is structure in such a way most people won't get it. It only counts if you setup an employment direct deposit you cannot deposit money yourself. Second the period for direct deposits amount is 25 days which is less than 2 pay periods assuming most people are paid by weekly. This period of time is less than the time required to get 2 paychecks. Now the amount of direct deposit required to get the $300 is approx $5000 over a 25 day timeline. Therefore you need to make about $10k a month to get the $300 and Sofi knows how manny people make that. So you are going to get $50 bonus instead. I opened this account and looked at the rules afterwards so I canceled my direct deposit; not interested in doing business with a shady practices company. I opened one with Capital One they offered $250 bonus for 2x $500direct deposits over 75 days.

Wrong.

The clock starts from when your first deposit posts. Whether that's you depositing money, or your employer.

If you yourself deposit money in the account, you're prematurely starting the clock.

If you don't deposit money, and instead set up direct deposit with your employer, they deposit the money, and the clock starts when it posts. So you can get two employer direct deposits within the 24 day window.
1
Reply
Joined Jul 2015
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,575 Posts
177 Reputation
baller11111
12-05-2024 at 06:19 PM.
12-05-2024 at 06:19 PM.
Yikes, was thinking about buying the stock
Reply
Joined Aug 2010
B!tch Please
> bubble2 6,104 Posts
621 Reputation
Truth-Serum
12-05-2024 at 10:02 PM.
12-05-2024 at 10:02 PM.
$300 for $5K is low
Reply
Joined Aug 2009
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 10,494 Posts
5,300 Reputation
Conformer101
12-07-2024 at 03:18 PM.
12-07-2024 at 03:18 PM.
General question ... seems like someone on here might know the answer. Do banks consider retirement account distributions as a "direct deposit" for these deals? It's technically income, but I'm doubtful it qualifies. Anyone?
Reply

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Jun 2006
Wow Amazing Slick Deal
> bubble2 1,410 Posts
71 Reputation
mcali786
12-09-2024 at 03:00 PM.
12-09-2024 at 03:00 PM.
wow this seems like a bunch of spam at best - i suppose us slickers neverwill touch sofi event if such a fi deal Smilie
Reply
Joined Dec 2013
L3: Novice
> bubble2 112 Posts
18 Reputation
airwad16
12-09-2024 at 10:08 PM.
12-09-2024 at 10:08 PM.
FYI they put a timer on your account and if you don't use it much they'll charge you a $25 inactivity fee. Soon as I got the warning in an email I contacted them and made them delete and close everything down. I won't give my service or money to any company that does that BS
Reply
Joined Jan 2019
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 984 Posts
144 Reputation
MemorableStew1728
12-09-2024 at 10:41 PM.
12-09-2024 at 10:41 PM.
Quote from airwad16 :
FYI they put a timer on your account and if you don't use it much they'll charge you a $25 inactivity fee. Soon as I got the warning in an email I contacted them and made them delete and close everything down. I won't give my service or money to any company that does that BS

You have to log in every six months or something. It's annoying
Reply
Joined Jan 2019
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 984 Posts
144 Reputation
MemorableStew1728
12-09-2024 at 10:42 PM.
12-09-2024 at 10:42 PM.
Quote from Conformer101 :
General question ... seems like someone on here might know the answer. Do banks consider retirement account distributions as a "direct deposit" for these deals? It's technically income, but I'm doubtful it qualifies. Anyone?

If you want that information, which in this game is called a data point, look up this bonus on the site doctor of credit and poke through the comments specifically

A cashback site whose name you can't post here also has a significant bonus that stacks on top of this 300 offer. I was able to get both
Reply
Joined Sep 2003
Worlds Most Modest Man
> bubble2 18,980 Posts
3,113 Reputation
beowulf7
12-10-2024 at 02:40 PM.
12-10-2024 at 02:40 PM.
Quote from MemorableStew1728 :
You have to log in every six months or something. It's annoying
So, all you have to do is periodically login but not actually conduct any transactions to show activity? That's not bad. Otherwise, I may just transfer $10 between checking and savings every month to show activity.
Reply
Joined Jun 2007
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,018 Posts
394 Reputation
Steve0
12-10-2024 at 02:45 PM.
12-10-2024 at 02:45 PM.
Quote from Conformer101 :
General question ... seems like someone on here might know the answer. Do banks consider retirement account distributions as a "direct deposit" for these deals? It's technically income, but I'm doubtful it qualifies. Anyone?
The short answer is no. I wanted to do that but SoFi rejected it as a source of regular income (even with regular distributions).
Reply
Joined Aug 2009
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 10,494 Posts
5,300 Reputation
Conformer101
12-10-2024 at 07:49 PM.
12-10-2024 at 07:49 PM.
Quote from Steve0 :
The short answer is no. I wanted to do that but SoFi rejected it as a source of regular income (even with regular distributions).
Thanks for the feedback.
Reply

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Mar 2013
L8: Grand Teacher
> bubble2 4,473 Posts
493 Reputation
SKV4m
12-13-2024 at 08:06 AM.
12-13-2024 at 08:06 AM.
Quote from airwad16 :
FYI they put a timer on your account and if you don't use it much they'll charge you a $25 inactivity fee. Soon as I got the warning in an email I contacted them and made them delete and close everything down. I won't give my service or money to any company that does that BS

I'm not seeing a $25 fee and I haven't logged in since I'm opened the account in 2023 but I have recurring DD of $200/bi-weekly from work

Looks like it's for the Invest account which I don't have.
https://support.sofi.com/hc/en-us...tivity-fee

Whatever. Just stick with Schwab. No nonsense online banking and trading.
Reply
Last edited by SKV4m December 13, 2024 at 08:17 AM.
Page 25 of 33
Start the Conversation
 
Link Copied

The link has been copied to the clipboard.