💰 Earn Up to $400 Just for Switching Where You Bank
By: Conor Keenan | Last updated: July 10, 2026
Conor Keenan, AWMA®, is the Co-Founder of CompareAccounts. An Accredited Wealth Management Advisor® professional with over a decade of experience covering consumer banking and investing trends, his work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Yahoo Finance, and more.
Editorial Independence: Our opinions, reviews, and recommendations are our own. Partner commissions keep our site free, but our content remains independent.
SoFi® Checking and Savings is offering an up to $400 cash bonus when you set up direct deposit. On top of that, you can earn up to 3.80% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on savings balances (with qualifying activities) and 0.50% APY on checking balances—without monthly fees, overdraft fees, or account minimums. Member FDIC.
💡 Start with Just $10
There’s no minimum deposit required to open—yet making a first deposit of $10 is a smart move. It helps you get in the habit of using your new account, sets you on the path toward the bonus with direct deposit, and puts your money to work at a higher APY than most big banks pay.
🚨 Why Upgrade Your Checking?
- ✅ Up to $400 bonus with qualifying direct deposit (earn $50 or $300, terms apply, see site for details.)
- ✅ Up to 3.80% APY on savings balances (0.50% APY on checking with qualifying activities)
- ✅ $0 monthly fees, $0 overdraft fees, $0 account minimums
- ✅ Fee-free overdraft (eligibility requirements apply)
- ✅ 55,000+ fee-free ATMs with your SoFi Debit Mastercard®
- ✅ Modern, mobile-first banking: transfers, bill pay, mobile check deposit, goals, and more
🏦 Big Bank vs. SoFi (At a Glance)
❌ Typical Big Bank Checking: 0% interest, $10–$15 monthly fees, paychecks hit 2–3 days later, overdraft fees.
✅ SoFi Checking: Up to 3.80% APY on savings (0.50% on checking with qualifying activities), $0 fees, you could get paid up to 2 days early with eligible direct deposit, plus an up to $400 bonus opportunity.
📅 A Better Everyday Banking Experience
Imagine this: your rent is due Thursday, but your paycheck usually hits Friday. With SoFi, you could get paid up to two days early—giving you peace of mind and avoiding last-minute scrambles.
✨Trusted by Millions
SoFi isn’t a newcomer. It’s a publicly traded company with a broad suite of financial products and a rapidly growing member base. SoFi serves over 11.7 million members as of Q2 2025—a testament to its momentum in modern banking.
- ✅ FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor
- ✅ Intuitive app experience and responsive support
- ✅ Seamless everyday banking without the “gotchas”
⏳ The Cost of Waiting
Each week you delay is a week of missed interest and slower progress toward your bonus. Starting with $10 today gets your bonus clock ticking and puts your everyday cash to work faster.
🎯 How to Get Started
- Open a SoFi Checking & Savings account online (takes minutes).
- Deposit $10 to begin using your new account and build the habit.
- Set up direct deposit to become eligible for the up to $400 bonus and to unlock the highest savings APY (qualifying activities required).
- Use your account daily: pay bills, move money, and take advantage of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs.
✨ Why It Stands Out
- 💵 Bonus + APY combo: Rare to see a checking package that offers both a sizable bonus and competitive savings APY.
- 💳 No-fee design: No monthly fees, no overdraft fees, and no minimums means fewer surprises.
- ⚡ Everyday flexibility: You could get paid up to 2 days early with eligible direct deposit, and you have broad ATM access when you need cash.
Up to $400 Bonus
up to
3.80%
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
- Checking & Savings Account
- Min. to Open: $0
- Bonus: up to $400 with Direct Depositⓘ
- Up to 3.80% APY on Savings Balances with Qualifying Activities
- $0 Monthly Fees
- FDIC Insured up to $250,000
- Earn $50 or $400 with direct deposit, terms apply
- Limited Time Offer: +0.70% Boost to 3.80% APY for up to 6 Months on New Accounts with Eligible Direct Deposit.
- Terms Applyⓘ
- See Site for Details
1. Up to $400 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 within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible
Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. 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 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/
2. APY disclosures
Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 5/28/26. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet
3. Fee Policy
We do not charge any account, service, or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge transaction fees for outgoing wire transfers, Instant Transfers, and global remittance transfers. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank 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
may be incurred when using out-of-network ATMs. 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 a feature automatically offered to SoFi Checking and Savings account holders who receive at least $1,000 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits within a rolling 31 calendar day period on a recurring basis. Eligible Direct Deposit is defined on the SoFi Bank Rate Sheet, available at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. Members enrolled in Overdraft Coverage may be covered for up to $50 in negative balances on SoFi Bank debit card purchases only. Overdraft Coverage does not apply to P2P transfers, bill payments, checks, or other non-debit card transactions. Members with a prior history of unpaid negative balances are not eligible for Overdraft Coverage. Eligibility for Overdraft Coverage is determined by SoFi Bank in its sole discretion. Members can check their enrollment status, if eligible, at any time by logging into their account through the SoFi app or on the SoFi website.
8. 0.70% Savings APY Boost
Earn up to 3.80% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with
Eligible Direct Deposit by 12/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
On SoFi's Secure Site,
Member FDIC
Customers Also Viewed These Checking Accounts From Our Partners
Direct Deposit Benefits
On Chime's Secure Site,
FDIC Insured
Best For: Direct Deposit Benefits
The Chime® Online Checking Account is designed to maximize the benefits of direct deposit and empower your financial journey.
- Early Pay Access: Set up direct deposit with Chime and receive your paycheck up to two days earlier, giving you quicker access to your hard-earned money.
- SpotMe® Fee-Free Coverage: Eligible members can access up to $200 in fee-free SpotMe coverage when using their Chime Visa® Debit Card. Eligibility requirements and limits apply.
- MyPay® Access1: Enjoy financial flexibility with MyPay®, enabling you to access up to $5002 of your pay before the scheduled payday. Note: Only offered in select states.
- Extensive Fee-Free ATM Network: Access over 47,000 fee-free ATMs at locations like Target, Walgreens®, 7-Eleven®, and more.
- Fee Free Banking: Enjoy banking with no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no overdraft fees, allowing you to keep more of your money.
Customer service is available offering 24/7 live support with a real human.
Open your account for free in 2 minutes or less. Terms & conditions apply to the features of this account.ⓘ
See Chime's Secure Site For More Details.
Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC.
SpotMe Disclosure: SpotMe® on Debit is an optional service that provides fee-free overdraft if a member meets certain qualification criteria. Chime SpotMe enables members to draw their Chime Checking Account negative for debit card transactions, ATM withdrawals, cash back transactions or “over the counter” or OTC withdrawals (“Qualifying Transactions”) up to a specified amount (the “Limit”). This Limit is determined by Chime in its sole discretion based on the history of any Chime-branded accounts you have, direct deposit history and direct deposit amounts, spending activity and other risk-based factors. SpotMe on Debit is not a credit product, cash advance, a loan, or overdraft protection. Comparing SpotMe to any of these other products is not accurate and would diminish integrity of the product's structure.
SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest / no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Card Account. To qualify for the SpotMe on Chime Card service, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime® Checking Account each month and have activated your physical secured Chime Visa® Credit Card or Chime Visa® Debit Card.
Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Secured Deposit Account up to $20, but may later be eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe on Chime Card Limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s or its banking partners’ discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe on Chime Card, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions and fees associated with OTC cash withdrawals. SpotMe on Chime Card won’t cover non-card transactions. SpotMe on Chime Card Terms and Conditions apply.
Chime ATM Disclosure: Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at FCTI® ATMs in a 7-Eleven® or Speedway, or any Allpoint® or Visa® Plus Alliance ATM participating in the Allpoint network.
Fee-Free Banking Disclosure: Optional services and products may have fees or charges, such as outbound instant transfers, out-of-network transactions, and credit products. Learn more here.
Chime Early Pay Disclosure: Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.
Chime MyPay® Disclosure: MyPay® line of credit provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. MyPay services provided by Chime Capital, LLC (NMLS 2316451).
To be eligible for MyPay, you must receive qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account as set forth in the MyPay Agreement. A qualifying direct deposit is a deposit from an employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, government benefits payer, or other permitted source of income by Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) or Original Credit Transaction (“OCT”). Your MyPay Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance may change at any time. MyPay is a line of credit and available limits are based on estimated income and risk-based criteria. Eligible members may be offered a $20 - $500 Credit Limit per pay period. Your Credit Limit and Maximum Available Advance will be displayed to you within the Chime app. MyPay is only offered in select states and is currently only available to eligible Chime members in certain states. Other restrictions may apply. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details.
MyPay®: MyPay is a line of credit that allows members to get up to $500 of their pay anytime before payday with no interest, no credit check, and no mandatory fees. Most members’ credit limits start between $50 and $100, and can increase over time up to $500 depending on factors such as length and amount of your direct deposit activity. Members can get funds for free within 24 hours, or instantly for a fee of 3% of the advance amount ($2 minimum, $5 maximum) per advance. See Bancorp MyPay Agreement or Stride MyPay Agreement for details. MyPay is not an earned wage access product.
State Eligibility: You must live in one of the following states or the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) to be eligible for MyPay: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.), Georgia, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Please see the MyPay Agreement for the most up-to-date state eligibility.
Optional services and products may have fees or charges, such as outbound instant transfers, out-of-network transactions, and credit products.