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Published: Oct 8, 2024 5 min read
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Our Partner

Earn up to 4.30% APY*

  • Limited Time Offer - New accounts earn a 0.70% APY boost to 4.30% for up to 6 months with eligible direct deposit*
  • $0 min. balance to earn APY
  • Open Checking & Savings Accounts with 1 Sign Up
  • Up to 2-Day-Early Paycheck3
  • FDIC Insured up to $250k plus up to $3M in supplemental insurance4
  • No Account Fees5 & No-fee Overdraft Coverage6

*Terms Apply

Open SoFi Account Today

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 3.60% 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.


2. APY disclosures

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


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 incomingwire 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/.


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 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.

 

Our Partner

Earn 4.00% APY* with Barclays' Tiered Savings Account

  • $0 Min. Balance to Earn APY on Barclays' Tiered Savings
  • No Monthly Maintenance Fees
  • Easy Direct Deposits & Online Transfers
  • Deposits are FDIC Insured

*Rate as of 11/19/2025

View Barclays Offer

* Barclays Tiered Savings Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are accurate as of 01/13/2025 and may change at any time without prior notice, before or after the account is opened. The APYs are determined by the Balance Tiers (Tiers) and the amount deposited. The same rate may apply to multiple Tiers and Tiers may change without notice. APY is calculated based on the Tier into which the end of day account balance falls. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. No minimum balance to open, but for interest to post to your account you must maintain a minimum balance that would earn you at least $0.01. Please see the Compare Account Page for current Tier and APY information. The APY for the Barclays Tiered Savings account for balance tiers greater than $250,000 are currently 10X the national average of 0.46% APY, based on the national average of savings account rates published in the FDIC's National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of 09/16/2024.

Our Partner

Earn 3.85% APY* with Platinum Savings

  • With a Balance of $5,000 or More*

  • Earn 0.25% APY with a Balance of Less than $5k*

  • $100 Minimum Deposit to Open Account

  • No Account Opening or Monthly Service Fees

  • CIT Bank Account is FDIC Insured

View CIT Bank Offer

*Rate as of 9/23/25

*For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures

*Platinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-of-day account balance.

*APYs — Annual Percentage Yields are accurate as of September 23, 2025: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.85% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest Rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100.

*Based on comparison to the national average Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on savings accounts as published in the FDIC National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of September 15, 2025.

Our Partner

Earn 3.40% APY* with a Discover Savings Account 

  • Earn Over 5X the National Savings Average¹
  • $0 Min. Balance to Earn APY
  • $0 Monthly Fees & No Min. Opening Deposit
  • No Overdraft Fees
  • Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000²

*Rates as of 9/30/2025

View Discover Offer

*The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for the Online Savings Account as of 04/25/2025 is more than five times the national average APY for interest bearing savings accounts with a balance of $500 as reported by Curinos as of 04/25/2025. National average is based on information regarding the top 50 banks (by deposit size) and may not include information from variations in regional pricing at such banks or information from products that may not be widely available to their customers. Rates were obtained from Curinos, who relies on the data from the banks it tracks and such information cannot be guaranteed. APYs are subject to change at any time.

Our Partner

Enjoy hassle-free banking and earn 4.20% APYwith no more hidden fees.

  • Enjoy free monthly maintenance
  • Watch your savings grow with daily compounded interest.
  • Deposit anytime, anywhere with unlimited mobile check deposits.
  • Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000

*Rate as of 10/10/2025

View Bread Savings Offer

California is the largest state in the country based on population, so it's no surprise that there are thousands of banks and credit unions operating within the state. To help you identify the best banking option for you, Money researched leading financial institutions.

By evaluating their bank account options, annual percentage yields (APYs) and fees, we selected the best banks and credit unions of California for 2024-2025:

*Rates and APYs are subject to change. All information provided was accurate as of Oct. 8, 2024.

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Open a High-Yield Savings Account today and start earning interest
Take advantage of an FDIC insured, High-Yield Savings Account from SoFi®. Click on your state and find out more.
HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexas
View Rates

Golden 1 Credit Union is a top credit union in the Golden State. It offers low-fee deposit accounts, including free checking options and high-yield savings accounts. And, it offers higher-than-usual APYs on CDs. As a credit union, Golden 1 is also a good option for seniors and minors; it has special account options with low fees and added perks.

However, you must live in an eligible county, work for a partnering employer or have a family member who belongs to Golden 1 Credit Union to qualify for membership.

Pros
  • Free checking accounts available
  • Benefits for seniors
  • Higher-than-average rates on CDs
Cons
  • Interest-bearing checking accounts have monthly service fees
  • Lower APYs on larger savings account balances

Although many of Bank of America's savings and checking accounts have monthly fees, the bank has several ways to qualify for fee waivers. The waiver requirements are attainable; for example, you can qualify for a fee waiver on a checking account by maintaining a balance of just $500.

You can open an account with as little as $100, and Bank of America offers higher-than-usual rates on CDs. However, to qualify for the best rates, you need to have a combined balance of $20,000 or more in Bank of America accounts.

Pros
  • Multiple ways to qualify for fee waivers
  • Low minimum deposit requirements
  • Multiple CD terms
Cons
  • Lower APYs on savings accounts
  • Most perks require large combined balance

In 2023, Bank of the West, a leasing bank in California, was acquired by BMO Harris. With its savings accounts, you can qualify for added rewards. For every month you save $200 or more during the first 12 months of opening an account, BMO Harris will reward you with $5.

There are hundreds of bank branches within the state, and it gives its customers access to over 40,000 ATMs. You can open an account with as little as $25. Many of its accounts have monthly fees, but there are multiple ways to qualify for fee waivers.

Pros
  • Savings reward
  • Broad branch and ATM network
  • Low opening deposit
Cons
  • Monthly fees apply
  • Lower rates on savings accounts

For those who want to open a money market account, U.S. Bank is an excellent choice. It offers significantly higher-than-usual rates, and it's a top-ranked bank for customer satisfaction.

You can qualify for a waiver of monthly fees on money market accounts by maintaining a balance of $10,000 or more. However, to qualify for the best-possible rate, you'll need to have a balance of $25,000 or more.

Pros
  • Top-ranked for customer satisfaction
  • High APYs on money market accounts
  • Multiple fee waivers
Cons
  • Highest APY requires a high balance
  • Checking accounts have monthly fees

If you open a new checking or savings account with Wells Fargo, you could be eligible for hundreds in promotional offers. The balance or deposit requirements are relatively low, so the bonuses are fairly easy to get.

However, be aware that Wells Fargo accounts have monthly fees. Additionally, the bank offers comparatively low APYs on its savings accounts.

Pros
  • Valuable bonus offers
  • Budgeting and spending tools
  • Fee waivers available
Cons
  • Accounts have monthly fees
  • Low APYs on savings accounts
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Compare Savings Accounts rates today

Up to 2-day-early paycheck

Earn up to 4.30% APY*

  • Limited Time Offer - New accounts earn a 0.70% APY boost to 4.30% for up to 6 months with eligible direct deposit*
  • $0 min. balance to earn APY
  • Open Checking & Savings Accounts with 1 Sign Up
  • Up to 2-Day-Early Paycheck3
  • FDIC Insured up to $250k plus up to $3M in supplemental insurance4
  • No Account Fees5 & No-fee Overdraft Coverage6

*Terms Apply

Open SoFi Account Today

No monthly maintenance fees

  • $0 Min. Balance to Earn APY on Barclays' Tiered Savings
  • No Monthly Maintenance Fees
  • Easy Direct Deposits & Online Transfers
  • Deposits are FDIC Insured

*Rate as of 11/19/2025

No minimum opening deposit

  • Earn Over 5X the National Savings Average¹
  • $0 Min. Balance to Earn APY
  • $0 Monthly Fees & No Min. Opening Deposit
  • No Overdraft Fees
  • Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000²

*Rates as of 9/30/2025

Open an account in 5 minutes

  • With a Balance of $5,000 or More*
  • Earn 0.25% APY with a Balance of Less than $5k*

  • $100 Minimum Deposit to Open Account

  • No Account Opening or Monthly Service Fees

  • CIT Bank Account is FDIC Insured

No hidden fees

Enjoy hassle-free banking and earn 4.20% APYwith no more hidden fees.

  • Enjoy free monthly maintenance
  • Watch your savings grow with daily compounded interest.
  • Deposit anytime, anywhere with unlimited mobile check deposits.
  • Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000

*Rate as of 10/10/2025

View Bread Savings Offer

How we chose the Best Banks of 2024-2025

To determine our list of best banks for 2024-2025, Money staff evaluated hundreds of the largest retail banks, online banks, credit unions, regional and state banks ranked by assets. We then compared opening balance requirements, interest paid, fees and features to determine our top picks.

To identify the best banks and credit unions in California, we researched leading financial institutions operating within the state. We looked at the banks' accounts, deposit minimums, rates and fees, as well as the number of branches each institution operates in California.

You can read our full methodology here.

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