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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®
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Created 12-07-2023 at 11:06 AM by EfficientGame645
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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

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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

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Joined Jul 2005
L9: Master
> bubble2 4,126 Posts
1,293 Reputation
badboy2man
12-13-2024 at 11:17 AM.
12-13-2024 at 11:17 AM.
Can you close your Sofi account as soon as you receive the cash bonus, without penalties?
Reply
Joined Jan 2019
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 984 Posts
144 Reputation
MemorableStew1728
12-13-2024 at 09:06 PM.
12-13-2024 at 09:06 PM.
Quote from badboy2man :
Can you close your Sofi account as soon as you receive the cash bonus, without penalties?

Yes, you can. That sort of thing is listed in the fine print usually (early termination meaning bonus retracted etc) but I see none here. Also some accounts have early account termination fee with or without any bonus. Don't see that here either
Reply
Joined Sep 2003
Worlds Most Modest Man
> bubble2 18,980 Posts
3,113 Reputation
beowulf7
12-15-2024 at 07:45 PM.
12-15-2024 at 07:45 PM.
After I got to $5k and got the $300 bonus, I stopped the direct deposit to my Sofi account. Lately, I've been getting emails that if I don't re-enable DD, I won't get the 4.0% interest rate. I don't know what it would drop to. But I'll probably transfer the funds and cancel my Sofi account once I get my next interest payment.
Reply
Joined Jul 2009
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 145 Posts
108 Reputation
aann
12-18-2024 at 03:26 AM.

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank aann

12-18-2024 at 03:26 AM.
Quote from laplas :
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.

Replace SoFi with Robinhood and this is my story
1
Reply
Joined Sep 2003
Worlds Most Modest Man
> bubble2 18,980 Posts
3,113 Reputation
beowulf7
12-18-2024 at 02:21 PM.
12-18-2024 at 02:21 PM.
If you disable direct deposit, then the interest rate will drop from 4.0% to 1.2% and "lose access to your premium SoFi Plus benefits".
Reply
Last edited by beowulf7 December 18, 2024 at 02:30 PM.
Joined Nov 2016
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 44 Posts
10 Reputation
ExquisiteShopper
12-18-2024 at 09:20 PM.
12-18-2024 at 09:20 PM.
If you've taken advantage of a previous sign up offer with SoFi will you still receive this bonus. I believe my last sign up bonus offer was over 6 months ago
Reply
Joined Jan 2019
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 984 Posts
144 Reputation
MemorableStew1728
12-19-2024 at 11:35 AM.
12-19-2024 at 11:35 AM.
Quote from ExquisiteShopper :
If you've taken advantage of a previous sign up offer with SoFi will you still receive this bonus. I believe my last sign up bonus offer was over 6 months ago

You will not is what most DPs say (over on DoC) and the terms explicitly say you won't but at least one person there said yes, they did. Worth a shot, why not
Reply

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Joined Jan 2019
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 31 Posts
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gimmegimmenow
12-22-2024 at 01:50 PM.
12-22-2024 at 01:50 PM.
Quote from twiggy_alien_man :
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.

You are actually wrong. who is getting two deposits within 24 days period last time I checked 2 weeks is 14 days and that makes 28 days for 2 pay periods if most people are getting paid every two weeks. 25 days is not 28 days is just below 2 pay periods by design.
3
Reply
Joined Nov 2010
Alternative Fact
> bubble2 6,875 Posts
5,414 Reputation
MusicShark
12-22-2024 at 02:10 PM.
12-22-2024 at 02:10 PM.
This company got overhyped.
Reply
Joined Nov 2017
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,080 Posts
198 Reputation
twiggy_alien_man
12-22-2024 at 04:42 PM.
12-22-2024 at 04:42 PM.
Quote from gimmegimmenow :
You are actually wrong. who is getting two deposits within 24 days period last time I checked 2 weeks is 14 days and that makes 28 days for 2 pay periods if most people are getting paid every two weeks. 25 days is not 28 days is just below 2 pay periods by design.
Maybe you should have actually read my post, to avoid looking like an idiot.

Even if you yourself make an opening deposit, which isn't necessary, it's still possible to have two qualifying direct deposits within the 25 day period if you have the first direct deposit within 11 days of your opening deposit.
Reply
Last edited by twiggy_alien_man December 22, 2024 at 05:15 PM.
Joined Nov 2021
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 30 Posts
18 Reputation
Punkydd
12-23-2024 at 07:23 AM.
12-23-2024 at 07:23 AM.
Yes it sucks that it went down to 4 from 4.2 but it's still higher than my Amex. Also, I got my $300 last week which was nice to see.
Reply
Joined Nov 2021
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 30 Posts
18 Reputation
Punkydd
12-23-2024 at 07:25 AM.
12-23-2024 at 07:25 AM.
Quote from gimmegimmenow :
You are actually wrong. who is getting two deposits within 24 days period last time I checked 2 weeks is 14 days and that makes 28 days for 2 pay periods if most people are getting paid every two weeks. 25 days is not 28 days is just below 2 pay periods by design.

I thought the same things since my new job gave me a paper check 1st and then 1 paycheck fell in that time frame, but they also counted my opening xfer and 1 other xfer from my Amex to meet their $ amount and I was happy to have gotten the full $300
Reply
Joined Aug 2009
L3: Novice
> bubble2 160 Posts
22 Reputation
Viceroy
12-25-2024 at 10:15 AM.
12-25-2024 at 10:15 AM.
Quote from melias13 :
Sign up for treasury direct. It's annoying sign up process, requiring a notarized document. But now any bank bonuses requiring direct deposit - I can essentially do myself. Just send money to treasury direct. Wait a few days, and send it back to your account and it will be a DD since it comes from the government
i thought you had to wait for a CD to mature (30 day minimum) in order to do this? how do you turn it around in a couple of days?
2
Reply
Joined Dec 2007
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 47 Posts
210 Reputation
tkerugby
12-30-2024 at 10:58 AM.
12-30-2024 at 10:58 AM.
Quote from Viceroy :
i thought you had to wait for a CD to mature (30 day minimum) in order to do this? how do you turn it around in a couple of days?

I tried using Treasury Direct a few months back. They locked my account after my initial purchase of a short term t-bill (30 day maturity). I was never provided a reason for the lock. After sending in a notarized letter and countless calls over a 10 week period I was able to finally get access to my account. Then only to find they had not provided any of the interest on my purchase. Hard to believe they can hold your money hostage like that. That's the last time I'll deal with Treasury Direct.
Reply
Last edited by tkerugby December 30, 2024 at 11:01 AM.

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Joined Nov 2014
L3: Novice
> bubble2 167 Posts
22 Reputation
doi.onze
01-01-2025 at 12:37 PM.
01-01-2025 at 12:37 PM.
Man, I missed 5k by $12
Reply
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