Best Checking Accounts with Bonuses and Rewards in December 2025

Up to 3.60% APY: SoFi Checking and Savings

9 Excellent

Earn up to 4.30% APY on savings and $50 or $300 with direct deposit. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account by 31 January 2026, set up eligible direct deposit within 60 days, and maintain direct deposit for six months. T&Cs apply.

• 0.50% APY on checking balance
• Up to 3.60% APY on savings
• $0 account or overdraft fees
• Earn $50 or $300 when you sign up and set up eligible direct deposit

9 Excellent

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on SoFi's secure site

Earn up to 4.30% APY on savings and $50 or $300 with direct deposit. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account by 31 January 2026, set up eligible direct deposit within 60 days, and maintain direct deposit for six months. T&Cs apply.

Partner terms and conditions

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 3.60% 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 3.60% 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 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 11/12/25. 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

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 Bank Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Earn up to 4.30% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.60% APY as of 11/12/25) for up to 6 months. Enroll in SoFi Plus between 9/18/25 and 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/sofi-plus SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

Cashback & up to 3.75% APY: OnePay Cash

9.6 Excellent

For a limited time, earn 10% cash back at Walmart on your first purchase made within your first month, on up to $200 spent. T&Cs apply.

• $0 monthly fee and overdraft fee
• Earn 3.35% APY on Savings with eligible deposits
• Earn cashback on debit card purchases at Walmart and other brands

9.6 Excellent

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on OnePay's secure site

For a limited time, earn 10% cash back at Walmart on your first purchase made within your first month, on up to $200 spent. T&Cs apply.

Partner terms and conditions

For a limited time, earn 10% cash back at Walmart on your first purchase made within your first month, on up to $200 spent.
OnePay is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Coastal Community Bank or Lead Bank, Members FDIC.
10% cash back at Walmart: Only available to customers who initiate their account application through certain channels from 3/21/25 - 1/31/26. Cash back earned as OnePay Points. See terms at onepay.com/10percent.
3% cash back at Walmart: Cash back is earned as OnePay Points, redeemable into a OnePay Cash account or other available options. Only available to customers who unlock OnePay Cash+ with eligible deposits. Customers can choose to earn on gas instead of at Walmart. Spend cap applies to your total spend across the cash back categories you selected during the month. See OnePay Rewards Terms.
Early Pay: Get paid up to 2 days early. Direct Deposit is required. Funds may be available up to 2 days in advance, depending on when your employer sends paycheck data.
3.35% APY on Savings with eligible deposits: 3.35% annual percentage yield (APY) applies to the Savings balance of OnePay Cash accounts that have either (i) received $500+ of Direct Deposit in the current or previous month or (ii) have a balance of $5,000+ at the end of the previous month. 3.35% APY is also earned on Pay Autosave balances without deposit or balance requirements. 3.35% APY is limited to a total Savings balance of up to $250,000. All other Savings balances will earn 1.00% APY. APYs are as of 10/7/2025, but may change at any time before or after account opening.
ATM: Only applies to OnePay Cash accounts that have either (i) received Direct Deposit totaling $500+ in the current or previous month, or (ii) have a balance of $5,000+ at the end of the previous month. For all other ATM transactions the OnePay ATM Fee will apply and third-party ATM fees may be incurred.
Fee-Free Overdraft: Fee-Free Overdraft is available to OnePay Cash accounts that have either (i) received Direct Deposits totaling $500+ in the current or previous month, or (ii) have a balance of $5,000+ at the end of the previous month. You must be 18 or older. When on, Savings Backup will be used before Fee-Free Overdraft. Overdraft balance is due right away. Eligible transactions are at the discretion of OnePay and may exclude certain transactions (e.g., bill pay, global transfers). See details.

Earn up to 4.00% on savings: Current

9.2 Excellent

Get a $100 referral bonus by inviting your friends to join Current. Once the person receives the invite link, applies your unique referral code, and makes qualifying Eligible Payroll Deposits of at least $200 within 45 days of opening the account, you and the referred friend each earn $100. T&Cs apply.

• No credit check required to apply
• No monthly fees or minimum deposit
• Build credit plus earn up to 4% bonus

9.2 Excellent

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on Current's secure site

Get a $100 referral bonus by inviting your friends to join Current. Once the person receives the invite link, applies your unique referral code, and makes qualifying Eligible Payroll Deposits of at least $200 within 45 days of opening the account, you and the referred friend each earn $100. T&Cs apply.

: Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking®

9 Excellent

Bank of America Advantage Banking Up To $500 Cash Offer. See offer page for more details. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. T&Cs apply.

• $4.95 monthly fee (waivable)
• $0 overdraft fees
• $300 bonus with direct deposits of $2,000+
• Earn cash back on deals you choose

9 Excellent

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Bank of America Advantage Banking Up To $500 Cash Offer. See offer page for more details. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. T&Cs apply.

Frequently asked questions

Are there banks with immediate sign up bonuses?

No, immediate bank account bonuses are almost never offered. Most banks have requirements you need to meet to earn a bonus, such as depositing a certain amount or setting up direct deposit. On top of that, most bank bonuses are delivered anywhere from 7 to 60 days after you’ve met the requirements, so they are not instant.

Are there signup bonuses with no deposit requirements?

It’s rare to find an instant signup bonus with no deposit requirements. Nearly all bank account bonuses require you to set up direct deposit or deposit a certain amount of cash after opening. A few banks claim to have instant signup bonuses that you’ll earn immediately after opening, but the reality is that there are really no “instant” bonuses, and most take a month or two to earn.

However, a few signup bonuses have easier requirements, such as Upgrade Rewards Checking and the Marcus Online Savings Account. With Upgrade, all you have to do to earn the $200 is make three debit card transactions, and Marcus’ bonus is a referral program that offers an APY boost without any deposit requirements.

Is it worth opening a bank account for the bonus?

Sometimes, it can be, but make sure the account is worth your time in the long term. If the bonus comes with a bank account that has a high monthly fee, you’ll end up in the red eventually. Compare the best free checking accounts if you want to avoid monthly maintenance fees.

What bank gives you money for setting up direct deposit?

Banks like SoFi, Chase, Axos and BMO frequently offer bank account bonuses for setting up direct deposit. However, make sure you double-check the direct deposit amount requirements. For example, SoFi’s direct deposit bonus requires direct deposit of at least $1,000 within 25 days of opening your account to earn a $50 bonus, or $5,000 in direct deposit to earn $300 within 25 days of account opening.