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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 May 2015
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,371 Posts
643 Reputation
justye
02-08-2025 at 08:58 PM.
02-08-2025 at 08:58 PM.
I signed up. Got the $300 bonus. The rates are kind of low so I'm moving my money to my Schwab brokerage and investing it in the money market funds they have.
Reply
Joined Nov 2014
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 60 Posts
10 Reputation
TrippyRacks
02-23-2025 at 04:44 PM.
02-23-2025 at 04:44 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.

Damn man, thanks for posting this. I hadn't see this anywhere. And the literature literally says a "direct deposit", so I deposited $10 bucks from my other bank lmao.

I have a work bonus direct deposit in 30 days after that $10 transfer. That deposit would have put me over the 5K needed for the bonus. But it'll hit 2 days late. Rip me.

Thanks again. I'm not gonna waste my time now.

EDIT - I decided to go about the bonus anyway since I already wasn't actively working on it. And it turns out that I DID get my bonus despite me making a $10 initial deposit on 2/14/25 and then my first direct deposit would hit on 3/11 with 4K+ and then my second deposit would hit 3/25 with $1200. $300 Bonus appeared for me today on 4/6.
Reply
Last edited by TrippyRacks April 6, 2025 at 02:43 PM.
Joined May 2022
New User
> bubble2 1 Posts
10 Reputation
Noisebasement
03-05-2025 at 02:19 AM.
03-05-2025 at 02:19 AM.
I had a Sofi checking account three years ago, closed it after a year, and received the $220 promo back then. Since it's been two years, I'm wondering if I'd be eligible for the bonus again—or if their system might not detect my previous bonus. Has anyone had experience with this? I once got a bonus from another bank despite their policy against repeat bonuses, so I'm curious if Sofi works the same way. Thanks guys…
Reply
Joined Dec 2017
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 724 Posts
42 Reputation
Atnguy10
03-05-2025 at 04:08 AM.
03-05-2025 at 04:08 AM.
Can this be combined with Cash back Site?
Reply
Joined Nov 2019
L4: Apprentice
> bubble2 419 Posts
148 Reputation
Knockknock13
03-05-2025 at 09:01 AM.
03-05-2025 at 09:01 AM.
I use sofi credit card checking and savings account from past 3 years, only plus with this credit card is you get 2.2% cash back on anything
I paid my house tax to county using this credit card in which i was able to get a $30 profit instead of paying through check.
There are very rare benefits that you can use this sofi where your normal credit card cant work.
But you need to have a direct deposit deposited to checking or savings to get that 2.2% cash back or else it will be i guess just 2%
So i wont recommend this sofi, hasssal to withdraw the money takes so much time
1
Reply
Joined Oct 2008
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,193 Posts
100 Reputation
flightxxx
03-07-2025 at 12:02 AM.
03-07-2025 at 12:02 AM.
Quote from justye :
I signed up. Got the $300 bonus. The rates are kind of low so I'm moving my money to my Schwab brokerage and investing it in the money market funds they have.

Which money market fund on schwab? Is the rate that much better?
Reply
Joined Jan 2023
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 49 Posts
18 Reputation
itsjoemoney
03-10-2025 at 08:51 AM.
03-10-2025 at 08:51 AM.
Quote from might :
Just buy VMFXX mutual funds or 4 week T bill (local/state tax advantage). both will earn 5%+ interest.

Both appear to have a yield of ~4.24% Are you finding 5%+ somewhere?
Reply

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Joined Jan 2023
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 49 Posts
18 Reputation
itsjoemoney
03-10-2025 at 08:57 AM.
03-10-2025 at 08:57 AM.
Quote from flightxxx :
Which money market fund on schwab? Is the rate that much better?

Go to whatever brokerage you use... Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab and check their 7 day yields on the money market funds they offer. It will be something like 4.24% right now. If you expect fed rate cuts in the future, this will go down and you'd want to lock in a longer term investment. If rates stay the same or increase, that is good for MMs.
Reply
Joined Apr 2014
L3: Novice
> bubble2 169 Posts
34 Reputation
R6raven
03-10-2025 at 11:44 AM.
03-10-2025 at 11:44 AM.
I have 6 figures with SoFi. I can't be bothered to move my funds for extra .25% at a different bank
1
Reply
Joined May 2015
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,371 Posts
643 Reputation
justye
03-10-2025 at 01:08 PM.
03-10-2025 at 01:08 PM.
Quote from flightxxx :
Which money market fund on schwab? Is the rate that much better?
It's like ~4.2%. I haven't checked in a while. It just makes it easy to move money over to investments when I want to while also having a higher rate vs most major banks.
Reply
Joined Oct 2008
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,193 Posts
100 Reputation
flightxxx
03-10-2025 at 02:02 PM.
03-10-2025 at 02:02 PM.
Quote from itsjoemoney :
Go to whatever brokerage you use... Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab and check their 7 day yields on the money market funds they offer. It will be something like 4.24% right now. If you expect fed rate cuts in the future, this will go down and you'd want to lock in a longer term investment. If rates stay the same or increase, that is good for MMs.
i was thinking if its worth it to lock in a 2 or 3 year 4% CD on schwab, but if etfs like SPY are giving 10%+ returns annually better to go with an etf?
Reply
Joined Dec 2016
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 79 Posts
50 Reputation
kaybee_bugfreak
03-16-2025 at 12:43 PM.
03-16-2025 at 12:43 PM.
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.

What bank would you recommend with similar APY ?
Reply
Joined Jul 2004
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,042 Posts
222 Reputation
fatcool
03-17-2025 at 11:48 AM.
03-17-2025 at 11:48 AM.
My first payroll did not hit because I enrolled just 3 days prior to my pay roll day. Now I have no way to get 5k in to account from next two of next pay rolls within 30 days . I am left with 50 bonus not 300. sucks the 30 day limit
Reply
Joined Mar 2017
L1: Learner
> bubble2 22 Posts
10 Reputation
Yash2
03-20-2025 at 08:22 AM.
03-20-2025 at 08:22 AM.
Chase offers $300 with only $500 Direct Deposits in 90 days.
5/3rd Offers $600 with $3K Direct Deposits in 90 days.
Bank Of America offers $300 with $2K in 90 days.
What these people do? $5K direct deposit in 30 days for $300?
Reply

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Joined Sep 2003
Worlds Most Modest Man
> bubble2 18,980 Posts
3,113 Reputation
beowulf7
03-20-2025 at 02:04 PM.
03-20-2025 at 02:04 PM.
Quote from Yash2 :
Chase offers $300 with only $500 Direct Deposits in 90 days.
5/3rd Offers $600 with $3K Direct Deposits in 90 days.
Bank Of America offers $300 with $2K in 90 days.
What these people do? $5K direct deposit in 30 days for $300?
Sofi's rate is much higher, at least compared to Chase.
Reply
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