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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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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 Nov 2020
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 736 Posts
DoctorAwesome
01-26-2025 at 03:56 PM.
01-26-2025 at 03:56 PM.
CIT Platinum savings still offering 4.30%
Reply
Joined Nov 2017
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,080 Posts
198 Reputation
twiggy_alien_man
01-26-2025 at 07:51 PM.
01-26-2025 at 07:51 PM.
Quote from Wingy291 :
3.8% now. 😩😫

Well, at least they did people a favor and are encouraging them [even more so] to close their account and go to other banks.
Reply
Joined Jan 2019
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 984 Posts
144 Reputation
MemorableStew1728
01-27-2025 at 06:30 PM.
01-27-2025 at 06:30 PM.
Quote from iLoveCereal :
SoFi went out of their way to deny a referral bonus between a family member and I. We met all requirements, and they literally refused to elaborate on why they would not pay. Their automated email said they would not respond further. Online chat couldn't help. Their phone rep was a very rude lady who stated nobody was allowed to talk to their bonus/incentives team other than them. She had absolute glee in her voice when I asked for information on canceling my account. Mind you, I was trying to be nice to her (being a rep is tough, I imagine). Lady was just a wench.

They had also tried to not give me a stock transfer bonus before (my transfer was well over the minimum). To this day, I do not know if I ever received it.

Tl;dr - horrible company, support-wise. Not competitive, rate-wise.

If you fully qualified for the referral or any other offer, file with the CFPB. While you still can
Reply
Joined Sep 2016
Purveyor of Cereal
> bubble2 245 Posts
74 Reputation
iLoveCereal
01-27-2025 at 07:04 PM.
01-27-2025 at 07:04 PM.
Quote from MemorableStew1728 :
If you fully qualified for the referral or any other offer, file with the CFPB. While you still can

That's a good idea. Thank you for the suggestion.
Reply
Joined Dec 2010
L8: Grand Teacher
> bubble2 3,592 Posts
356 Reputation
wighty
01-27-2025 at 07:22 PM.
01-27-2025 at 07:22 PM.
Quote from twiggy_alien_man :
Well, at least they did people a favor and are encouraging them [even more so] to close their account and go to other banks.
Yeah... I do generally like their app and them as a bank, but this drop was enough for me to take 90% of my money out and to Fidelity.
Reply
Joined Sep 2011
L4: Apprentice
> bubble2 316 Posts
72 Reputation
MagicDrumSticks
01-28-2025 at 02:40 AM.
01-28-2025 at 02:40 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.

You won't believe this but the exact same thing happened to me. I got no sort of explanation and their customer service kept hanging up on me. Absolutely mind blowing how this company is still around. I would urge anyone to avoid, even with this promo!!!
Reply
Joined Nov 2010
The New One
> bubble2 257 Posts
436 Reputation
askjeevs
01-29-2025 at 09:58 PM.
01-29-2025 at 09:58 PM.
Axos Bank is offering 4.85% APY with direct deposit. Does anyone have any experience with this bank?
Reply

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Joined Nov 2015
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 906 Posts
61 Reputation
Deibid
01-31-2025 at 08:20 AM.
01-31-2025 at 08:20 AM.
Almost down 1% since I opened my account. I believe it was at 4.75% at the time.
Reply
Joined Nov 2015
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 906 Posts
61 Reputation
Deibid
01-31-2025 at 08:21 AM.
01-31-2025 at 08:21 AM.
Quote from askjeevs :
Axos Bank is offering 4.85% APY with direct deposit. Does anyone have any experience with this bank?

I also would recommend OpenBank (by Santander). They are at the same rate.
Reply
Joined Nov 2017
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,080 Posts
198 Reputation
twiggy_alien_man
02-02-2025 at 02:41 AM.
02-02-2025 at 02:41 AM.
Generally speaking, if Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion accounts are frozen, so they FIRST need to be unfrozen to open checking/savings accounts?

I don't think I unfroze when I opened my Sofi checking and savings account, but got an auto reject when I tried to apply for a Citi checking account (to get the $325 opening bonus).
Reply
Joined Apr 2004
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 970 Posts
148 Reputation
winb83
02-02-2025 at 05:44 AM.
02-02-2025 at 05:44 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.

You'll likely find horror stories about every bank. I highly doubt SoFi is unique there. I've had SoFi as my primary banking app and now actual bank since 2019 and I've never even needed to call them once. I don't keep all my money with them just 60% of it and the other 40% is spread out between 6 other banks.
Reply
Joined Sep 2011
Y U DO DIS?
> bubble2 448 Posts
44 Reputation
DFisBUSY
02-04-2025 at 06:12 AM.
02-04-2025 at 06:12 AM.
damn they keep dropping and dropping huh? so lazy to redo my direct deposits though.....
Reply
Joined Nov 2011
L3: Novice
> bubble2 305 Posts
34 Reputation
Wingy291
02-04-2025 at 08:36 AM.
02-04-2025 at 08:36 AM.
Quote from DFisBUSY :
damn they keep dropping and dropping huh? so lazy to redo my direct deposits though.....
Same, I just got my job four months ago and everything is already set with bills and DD. Idk man. Lets hope rates go back up soon hahaha
Reply
Joined Dec 2006
200 billion ISK so far
> bubble2 2,013 Posts
399 Reputation
Cartier
02-06-2025 at 01:12 PM.
02-06-2025 at 01:12 PM.
It's always front page. I can't image how much SD made off this.
Reply

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Joined Nov 2009
Whatever man
> bubble2 546 Posts
135 Reputation
jroth3
02-07-2025 at 05:27 AM.
02-07-2025 at 05:27 AM.
Quote from Cartier :
It's always front page. I can't image how much SD made off this.
A lot. Win win win. I setup this account on 1/6, I made direct deposits from my work, on 2/1 I got a $50 bonus and my last paycheck went in on 2/4 (total less tthan 30 days)? How does it work to get the $300 bonus I thought had to be within a 30 day window. Oh PS I was over $5k after my last direct deposit...
Reply
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