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Sofi Review

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How is SoFi Better than Other Traditional Banks?

Banking Services Offered by SoFi

Aditi Patel

Top Online Banking Services Editor

Established in 2022, SoFi is a platform that makes banking more convenient online to cater to clients who search for good rates on their savings and checking account. Moreover, SoFi levels up its service by not charging additional fees such as monthly fees. Customers may also enjoy a no-charge overdraft fee in covering their payments. These are just a gist of the reasons why SoFi has received high appraisals from their customers.

Meanwhile, the annual percentage yield (APY) differs on the type of account that you have, so it’s perfect for those who seek high-interest rates and at the same time, those who are lazy enough to go out and go to the bank.

How is SoFi Better than Other Traditional Banks?

No overdraft fees are assessed by SoFi. Customers who receive $1,000 or more in direct deposits each month are eligible to choose to use overdraft support services. Their overdraft support works by transferring the money from a customer’s savings account to pay the transaction they have made if their checking balance is insufficient.

Those who have made debit card transactions and were covered by SoFi’s overdraft protection may be eligible to borrow up to $50 from the platform to pay for their purchase. Meanwhile, transactions by customers who are not supported by SoFi’s overdraft coverage will not be processed if they would cause an overdraft.

SoFi customers have access to over 55,000 ATMs nationwide to make cash withdrawals at no charge thanks to its affiliation with the Allpoint ATM network. Customers must go to a Green Dot retail outlet if they wish to deposit cash, and for each deposit, Green Dot levies a charge of up to $4.95.

Banking Services Offered by SoFi

SoFi lets you manage your accounts more easily by having both your savings and checking accounts combined. However, you may choose to start a direct deposit which lets your money earn interest. The annual percentage yield (APY) varies on which type of account such that an APY of 3.75% could be earned on your savings account and checking accounts with direct deposit may obtain 2.50% APY. On the other hand, you will receive 1.20% on all accounts if you don’t have direct deposit.

The online-banking platform offers more than having a higher APY. Customers who signed up for direct deposit could have their paychecks in their accounts two days earlier. High APY and early direct deposit can both be acquired by having no minimum amount requirement. But for overdraft, customers will need to have a direct deposit of a minimum of $1,000 per month to be eligible.

SoFi has also introduced a banking feature for savings accounts called Vaults. This feature functions as a subaccount to store your money for various savings purposes. Having multiple Vaults could also have an upgrade to an automatic savings program called Roundups. This savings program enables customers to round up the numbers on their debit card purchases and transfer the difference into the customer’s chosen savings Vault.

Accessibility

SoFi’s mobile app is available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Their app has gained high customer star ratings on both platforms, which says a lot about their reputation as a financial institution.

Customer Support

SoFi is a financial and banking services provider that only operates online. There are many ways to contact Sofi’s customer care despite being an online bank. You may contact them via their 24/7 phone support, get a quick response from their responsive Twitter account for customer queries and complaints, chat with a virtual assistant on their site, or refer to their comprehensive FAQ section which can be found on their website.

Bottom line

In 2022, SoFi, a financial services company and brokerage, successfully obtained its bank charter and introduced a blended checking and savings account. This account presents competitive interest rates, exemption from monthly fees, and a robust overdraft protection program at no cost to eligible customers. It is worth noting that the checking and savings portions of the account are treated as distinct entities and may accrue varying Annual Percentage Yields (APYs).

Despite the correlation between the company’s customer complaints and its asset size, SoFi has received favorable evaluations.

Individuals seeking to earn lucrative interest rates and are open to availing themselves of remote customer service, instead of visiting brick-and-mortar bank branches, may find this account option appealing.

Sofi

TopOnlineBankingServices.com is a free online platform designed to help users with the process of choosing the services or products that meets their needs by providing helpful reviews, articles and comparison based content. We receive compensation from the various brands we review, compare and rank on the website. TopOnlineBankingServices.com is not a lender, broker or financial institute, nor a party to any engagement related to financial products or transaction. All rates, fees and offers’ terms presented herein are provided by the third party brands we engage with, which may include lenders, brokers and aggregators. We do not make any decision regarding such rates, fees, terms and eligibility or approval of a financial offer. The actual offer you will receive is subject to its provider’s sole discretion including credit score, minimum deposit, minimum balance, requested loan amount, loan term, etc. and there is no guarantee you will qualify for the rates, fees, or terms presented herein. The content herein is not, and shall not be taken as an endorsement, recommendation or solicitation to borrow or obtain any financial service. We encourage you to carefully review the actual offer’s terms you receive from the provider, including all associated fees and costs. Filing for bankruptcy shall not exempt from repayment obligations.

The offers on our page do not represent all account options available.
*APY (Annual Percentage Yield).
Rates / Annual Percentage Yield terms above are current as of the date indicated. These quotes are from banks, credit unions and thrifts, some of which have paid for a link to their website. Bank, thrift and credit unions are member FDIC or NCUA. Contact the financial institution for the terms and conditions that may apply to you. Rates are subject to change without notice and may not be the same at all branches.

Upgrade Disclosures:

Rewards Checking Plus customers who set up monthly direct deposits of $1,000 or more earn 2% cash back on common everyday expenses at convenience stores, drugstores, restaurants and bars – including deliveries – and gas stations, as well as recurring payments on utilities and monthly subscriptions including phone, cable, TV and other streaming services, and 1% cash back on all other debit card purchases. 2% cash back is limited to $500 in rewards per calendar year; after $500, customers earn 1% cash back on all eligible debit card purchases for the remainder of the year. Rewards Checking Plus accounts with less than $1,000 in monthly direct deposits 60 days after account opening will earn 1% cash back on common everyday expenses and 0.50% cash back on all other eligible debit card purchases. Some limitations apply. Please refer to the applicable Upgrade Visa® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.
There are no overdraft fees or annual fees. Optional out-of-network ATM withdrawals are subject to a fee of $2.50, plus any third-party fees. Debit card transactions with merchants outside the U.S. or in a foreign currency are subject to a 3% fee. Outbound domestic wire transfers are subject to a fee of $20 after your first fee-free transfer per calendar month. Please refer to the applicable Cross River Bank Checking Deposit Account Agreement and Upgrade Visa® Debit Card Agreement and Disclosures for more information.
Early direct deposit requires set up of recurring electronic direct deposit from your employer, payroll, or benefits provider and is limited to direct deposits under $5000. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing in which we receive notice of impending direct deposit, which is generally up to two days before the scheduled deposit date.
Active Accounts with a monthly direct deposit of $1000 are eligible for additional benefits on Rewards Checking Plus such as additional cash back rewards and more. See the Active Account page for more information.

SoFi Disclosures:

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 (must be bolded)
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.

^{*CIT BANK}Promotion Disclosures

This limited time offer to qualify for a $225 cash bonus with a minimum deposit of $25,000 or a $300 bonus with a minimum deposit of $50,000 is available to New and Existing Customers who meet the Platinum Savings promotion criteria. The Promotion begins on February 26, 2025 and can end at any time without notice.

Customers will receive a $225 or a $300 bonus provided that the program requirements are met:

New CIT Bank Customers: Offer valid for a New CIT Bank Customer, who, at account opening, does not have a valid CIT Bank User ID (a “New Customer”), or any open CIT Bank accounts provided that the following requirements are met:

Offer Requirements

New customers must open a Platinum Savings account with a valid Promo Code, “PS2025.” The Platinum Savings account Bonus Promo Code will appear on the online account opening enrollment web page. The Promo Code must be used at the time of account opening. Accounts opened during the program period without the Promo Code are ineligible to receive the bonus.
New customers must deposit at least $25,000 for a $225 bonus, or at least a minimum of $50,000 for a $300 bonus into the enrolled Platinum Savings account within the first 30 calendar days following account opening (the “Funding Period”). The single or multiple deposit(s) of $25,000 or $50,000 or more used to fund the account must come from a funding source outside of CIT Bank. Transfers from existing CIT Bank accounts will not qualify. Funds already on deposit with CIT Bank are ineligible.
The enrolled Platinum Savings account must be open at the time of the bonus payment to qualify.

CIT Bank Customers Prior to the Promotion: Offer valid for a Primary account owner of an existing or newly opened Platinum Savings account with a CIT Bank User ID before the start of the promotion, provided that the following requirements are met:

Offer Requirements

Current customers with a Platinum Savings account opened prior to the promotion may enroll their current Platinum Savings account into the promotion using Promo Code PS2025 or open a new Platinum Savings account via the enrollment web page using Promo Code PS2025. After opening or enrolling the account deposit at least $25,000 for a $225 bonus, or at least a minimum of $50,000 for a $300 bonus into their enrolled Platinum Savings account within 30 calendar days (the “Funding Period”) from the date they enrolled or opened the account. All funds deposited to qualify for the bonus must be new funds from a source outside CIT Bank. Funds already on deposit with CIT Bank are ineligible.
Customers without a Platinum Savings account open prior to the Promotion must open a new Platinum Savings account with a valid Promo Code PS2025 which appears on the enrollment web page for the Platinum Savings Account Bonus Promotion and deposit at least $25,000 for a $225 bonus, or at least a minimum of $50,000 for a $300 bonus into the account within the first 30 calendar days following account opening (the “Funding Period”). All funds deposited to qualify for bonus eligibility must be new funds from a source outside of CIT Bank. Funds already on deposit with CIT Bank are ineligible.
Customers who are not the Primary account owner on a Platinum Savings account may be eligible to earn a $225 or $300 bonus by opening a new Platinum Savings account as a Primary account owner with a valid Promo Code PS2025 which appears on the enrollment web page for the Platinum Savings Account Bonus Promotion, and depositing at least $25,000 for a $225 bonus, or at least a minimum of $50,000 for a $300 bonus to the account within the first 30 calendar days following account opening (the “Funding Period”). The minimum $25,000 or $50,000 used to fund the account must come from a funding source outside of CIT Bank. Funds already on deposit with CIT Bank are ineligible. Transfers from existing CIT Bank accounts will not qualify.
CIT Bank will deposit the qualifying bonus into the customer’s enrolled account within 60-days following the 30-day funding period.
The enrolled Platinum Savings account must be open at the time of the bonus payment to qualify.

There is a limit of one Platinum Savings promotional offer per account and per Primary customer. If multiple Platinum Savings accounts are opened, only one account per primary account owner is eligible.

Custodial accounts and Trust Accounts are not eligible.

This offer is non-transferable.

IMPORTANT: All customers who qualify for the $225 or $300 bonus offer will receive the bonus in the enrolled Platinum Savings account within 60 days after the 30-day funding period.

Example and key dates for the Platinum Savings promotion

Below is an illustration of the promotion requirements and key dates. Individual results may vary based on the date of account opening.

A customer who opens a Platinum Savings account with the promotional code, “PS2025,” on February 26, 2025, funds it with a minimum of $25,000 or $50,000 by March 26, 2025, and satisfies the additional requirements specified above can expect to receive the qualifying bonus no later than May 26, 2025. Below are the key dates and deadlines in this example:


Key dates and deadlines	Details
2/28/2025	The Platinum Savings account is opened by a customer who uses promotion code PS2025.
2/28/2025 – 3/29/2025	The account is fully funded with a minimum of $25,000 or $50,000 via deposit(s) from an external account(s). This represents the 30-day Funding Period.
5/28/2025	The qualified account will be credited the $225 or $300 bonus payment by this date which is 60 days after the end of the funding period.

The value of the $225 or $300 bonus will be reported as interest income on IRS Form 1099-INT for the calendar year in which it was paid. The recipient is responsible for any applicable taxes.

Platinum Savings interest rates are variable and may change without notice, including after the account is opened.

Live Oak Bank:

1. Important Information about this Personal Savings Bonus Offer:

Customers must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for the $300 bonus:

New and Existing Customers:
- Only one bonus is available per Tax Identification Number per promotional period.
- Only personal savings accounts are eligible for the bonus offer. Checking accounts, CD accounts and fiduciary accounts (e.g., trusts) are not eligible for this offer.
- Opening of a new account will be subject to approval by Live Oak Banking Company in its sole discretion.
- A new Live Oak Bank personal savings account must be fully funded with at least $20,000 by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 03/31/2025 to be eligible for the bonus.  If the account is not fully funded by March 31st, then the account is not eligible for the bonus offer.
- All funding of the new personal savings account must consist of funds originating from an external financial institution to qualify; deposits or transfers originating from an existing Live Oak Bank account (whether personal or business) via internal transfer, CD redemption, check, ACH transfer, wire, or loan proceeds do not qualify for bonus offer.
- Beginning on the date in February or March 2025 that the new account attains a balance of at least $20,000, if the balance remains equal to or exceeding $20,000 for 60 consecutive days, then the account will be eligible for the bonus if all other conditions are met. If all eligibility criteria are met, the $300 cash bonus will be deposited to your open, eligible account within 45 days following the expiration of the 60-day period.
- Your new account must not be closed or restricted at the time of payout in order to receive the bonus. Live Oak Bank reserves the right to withdraw or withhold the bonus offer from any customer, with or without notice, if fraud or other suspicious activity is suspected.
- Any promotional amounts received may be subject to taxation.
Existing Customers:
- In addition to the other requirements for the bonus offer, existing Live Oak Bank , customers must maintain their existing account balances (not including interest accrued but not credited to the account) at or above the end of day balance as of February 2nd 2025 11:59:59pm (ET) across their existing personal savings in order to be eligible for the bonus offer.

2. Live Oak Bank Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is valid as of 2/3/2025. No minimum opening balance or deposit required to open. Rates may change at any time without prior notice, before or after the account is opened. No minimum balance to open, but customers must have a balance of $0.01 to earn interest. Fees may reduce earnings.

3. National savings average rate courtesy of the FDIC’s Weekly National Rates and Rate Caps, as of 1/21/2025; average rate used is for deposits under $2,500.

4. Live Oak Bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). As a Live Oak Bank customer, your Live Oak Bank deposits are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per depositor, for each account ownership category.

Current:

Current is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC. The Current Visa® Debit Card, which may be issued by Choice Financial Group and/or Cross River Bank, is pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

*Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct deposit and earlier availability of funds is subject to timing of payer’s submission of deposits.

*Boost Bonuses are credited to your Savings Pods within 48 hours of enabling the Boost feature and on a daily basis thereafter, provided that the Savings Pod has accrued a Boost Bonus of at least $0.01. No minimum balance required. The Boost rate on Savings Pods is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed rate is effective as of August 1, 2023. Must have $0.01 in Savings Pods to earn a Boost rate of either 0.25% or 4.00% annually on the portion of balances up to $2000 per Savings Pod, up to $6000 total. The remaining balance earns 0.00%. To earn a Boost rate of 4.00%, the sum of your Eligible Payroll Deposits over a rolling 35-day period must be $500 or more, with at least one Eligible Payroll Deposit equalling a minimum of $200. For more information, please refer to Current Boost Terms and Conditions (https://current.com/boost_terms_of_service/).