MoneyBuddha
Affiliate Disclosures & Disclaimers
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MoneyBuddha takes transparency seriously. This page explains how our site is funded, how we maintain editorial independence, how we decide the order of products on our pages, and the specific terms and conditions that apply to the offers you may see from our partners. If you have questions about anything on this page, email us at info@greenllc.net.
1. How we make money
Our content is free to read because we work with a number of advertising partners under paid agreements. When you click a link on MoneyBuddha.com and follow it to one of our partners — or in some cases complete an action such as opening an account — we may be paid a commission. If you don’t click our links or use the referral phone numbers on our site, we are not compensated. The decision to click is always yours.
Commission arrangements help keep the site free. They do not, however, give any partner the ability to alter our reviews, ratings, or recommendations. Offers available through our affiliate partners are subject to change, and while we aim to cover a wide selection of products, we cannot feature every option in a given category.
2. Editorial integrity
The analyses and opinions expressed on MoneyBuddha.com are our own. Our writers and editors follow internal guidelines designed to preserve editorial independence and to keep our coverage trustworthy. We understand that our business only works if our readers can rely on what we publish.
Regardless of any commercial relationship, we weigh many additional factors when producing coverage — the result of editorial research across all of the topics we write about. Our writers’ and editors’ judgments are not influenced by bias, conflicts of interest, or financial considerations, and we require our team to create and publish free from internal and external pressure.
3. How we rank
Any company whose affiliate link appears on MoneyBuddha.com must first pass an initial quality screening. Listed partners must demonstrate integrity and fair dealing, and — to the best of our knowledge — must have no recent history of serious legal or ethical issues.
The performance of our partners and the payouts associated with each relationship may influence where they appear on our website, including how often they are featured and the order in which they appear on a given list, except where prohibited by law. For example, certain partners may receive premium or additional placement on our website and in our marketing materials.
Other factors that may influence what appears on a particular page include historical data — such as the number of consumer visits to a partner’s site, sign-up or conversion rates, the user’s device, operating system, location, and even the day of the week or time of day.
Once a company passes our initial screen, its offers are reviewed by our editorial team. Editorial judgments are not influenced by bias, conflicts of interest, or financial considerations. Rankings, ratings, and the order of companies on our site are subject to change.
4. Checking accounts 101
The following general information is provided for educational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Terms for any specific account will be set by the bank or financial-services provider offering it.
What is a checking account?
A checking account is a transactional account used for depositing and withdrawing funds. Checking accounts include a debit card for in-person and online payments, such as at retailers or to pay bills through a utility company website. You can also use your debit card at ATMs all around the world to withdraw money, check your balance, and deposit cash. Each of our top picks comes with competitive debit-card features and no-fee prepaid card options.
How do checking accounts work?
Virtually all financial institutions have an online banking site and a mobile app, which you can use to schedule transfers from other accounts, receive ACH deposits (such as payroll or government benefits), and deposit paper checks. Most traditional banks also offer in-person service at physical branches.
What is a high-yield checking account?
A high-yield checking account is a type of bank account that offers higher interest rates on your balance compared to standard checking accounts. It works by allowing you to earn interest on the money you keep in the account — similar to a savings account — but with the added flexibility of easy access to your funds through checks, debit cards, and online transfers. This makes it a good option for people who want to maximize their earnings while keeping day-to-day banking convenience.
How to pick the best checking account
- Check monthly fees and balance requirements. Start by looking at your banking habits and needs. Look for accounts with low or no monthly fees, minimal balance requirements, and extensive ATM networks to help you avoid out-of-network charges.
- Compare account features. Evaluate the convenience of online and mobile banking for managing your money, and consider perks such as overdraft protection or cashback rewards.
- Compare interest rates. Interest rates on checking accounts are typically low, but any yield can help — especially on a high-yield product.
- Read customer reviews. Look into the institution’s reputation for customer service to gauge whether you are likely to have a positive banking experience.
MoneyBuddha is not a bank, broker-dealer, or registered investment adviser, and nothing on this page constitutes individualized financial advice. The offers shown on MoneyBuddha.com are subject to change and to each provider’s own terms and conditions. Always review the current terms on the provider’s site before opening an account.
5. SoFi disclaimers
The following disclosures apply to SoFi offers that may appear on MoneyBuddha.com. All terms are set by SoFi and are subject to change. Please consult the SoFi website for the most current information.
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 in 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. 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 12/31/2026. 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 3.30% 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 3.30% 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 12/23/25. 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 12/23/25. 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 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/.
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 in 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 in 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, eligibility, and limits by logging into their account.
8. 0.70% Savings APY Boost
Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 3/31/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
9. Bank Shot Bonus
Open only to new SoFi Checking and Savings members who are legal residents of the 50 US/DC, 18+. Void where prohibited by law. Sign up by 11:59 p.m. ET on 4/30/26. Subject to T/Cs, including Reward details, distribution, and restrictions: click here. Sponsor: Social Finance LLC (“SoFi”) 234 First Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.
6. Truist disclaimers
The following disclosures apply to Truist offers that may appear on MoneyBuddha.com. All terms are set by Truist Bank and are subject to change.
1. Terms and Conditions for Truist One Checking Affiliate $400 Online Offer — Q2 2026 (AFL400TR1Q226)
Offer information
Open a new Truist One Checking account online from 3/26/26 through 7/9/26, complete the following activities within 120 days of the account opening, and earn $400. You must open the account online and enter the promo code to be eligible to participate in the promotion.
- Receive at least two qualifying direct deposits* totaling $2,000 or more, AND
- Complete at least 20 qualifying debit card purchases** within 120 days of account opening. All debit purchases must be posted to your account to qualify.
Account must be opened online. Enrollment in the promotion is required at the time of account opening using promo code AFL400TR1Q226. Please refer to the Account Opening and Enrollment section below for full instructions.
*A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic credit (greater than $5.00) deposited into your new checking account via ACH. Person-to-person payments (such as Zelle®), Real Time Payments (RTP), pre-authorized transfers made from one account to another, or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit/prepaid card number, or the mail are not eligible direct deposits.
**Qualifying debit card purchases include any purchase made with a Truist debit card and posted to the new checking account within 120 days of account opening. ATM withdrawals using your debit card are not qualifying transactions. Zelle® transactions are not qualifying transactions. Bank fees are not included.
Offer eligibility
Clients that are the primary account holder on an existing personal checking account with Truist or who have closed a personal checking account with Truist on or after 3/26/25 are not eligible to participate. Offer valid for Truist One Checking accounts only. Primary account holder must be 18 or older at the time of account opening. Truist employees, Directors, Officers, and Local Boards/Advisors are not eligible. Offer available only to US residents with a valid US taxpayer identification number. The qualifying checking account must be opened online and have a physical address in: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC.
Reward processing
The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 4 weeks after the qualification requirements have been met and verified. Promotion is only applicable once per checking account and per client. Truist may report the value of any offer reward received to the IRS as required by law. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the recipient.
Reward forfeiture
Reward forfeiture will occur if: (1) the new checking account is changed to an account type not included in this client offer; (2) the new checking account has a $0.00 or negative available balance or is restricted at the time Truist verifies the qualification requirements have been met; or (3) the new checking account is closed at the time of payout. An account is considered restricted if it has a temporary or permanent block that prevents credits from posting to the account. Truist verification will occur one time after the qualification requirements are initially met.
Other terms
Minimum opening deposit is $50. The offer is non-transferable, may not be combined with any other checking offers, is subject to change, and may be discontinued at any time. Truist reserves the right, in its sole discretion: (1) to prohibit a reward payout for any offers claimed through third-party websites with no affiliation or prior authorization from Truist; and (2) to disqualify any account if Truist suspects accounts are being opened for the purpose of exploiting this promotional offer. All standard account terms and conditions apply.
Account opening & enrollment instructions
To open and enroll your new account in the promotion, visit the offer website and click on “Open an account online.” Enter AFL400TR1Q226 into the promo code field provided, review the offer Terms and Conditions, and then select “Accept this offer”. Accounts opened without the promo code applied will not be eligible to participate in the offer. Once enrolled in the promotion, clients may receive promotional updates via the email address provided or by calling 800.709.8700.
Version 3 02182026 AFL400TR1Q226
2. Balance Buffer
The Balance Buffer is only available with Truist One Checking and allows clients to overdraw their account up to $100. There is no decision required as this feature is automatically available when a client qualifies.
To initially qualify for the Balance Buffer, the requirements below must be met:
- Account must be opened for a minimum of 35 calendar days.
- Account must be funded with a positive balance.
- A single direct deposit of at least $100 made within the last 35 calendar days.
To remain qualified for the Balance Buffer, the requirement below must be met:
- A single direct deposit of at least $100 made within the last 35 calendar days. After qualifying, if 35 calendar days pass without a direct deposit of at least $100, you will no longer have access to the Balance Buffer.
For accounts that qualify for the Balance Buffer, once the account is overdrawn by $100, additional transactions will typically be declined or returned.
For accounts that qualify for the Balance Buffer and also have Overdraft Protection, Truist will use the Balance Buffer first. If the account has neither, transactions that exceed the account balance will typically be declined or returned.
©2026 Truist Financial Corporation. TRUIST, the Truist logo and Truist Purple are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation. All rights reserved. Truist Bank, 214 N Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202.
7. Chime disclaimers
The following disclosures apply to Chime offers that may appear on MoneyBuddha.com. All terms are set by Chime and its bank partners and are subject to change.
* Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
* Terms apply. Click to learn more. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
^ 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.
** 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.
8. Varo disclaimers
The following disclosures apply to Varo offers that may appear on MoneyBuddha.com. All terms are set by Varo and are subject to change.
- Fees apply to loans and out-of-network withdrawals & cash deposits.
- We give access to direct deposits from employer & government payers on the day we receive them, typically up to 2 days earlier than your scheduled pay date.
- Varo Advance (VA) is a small dollar line of credit. Initial limits range from $20–$250, and work your way up to $500 over time. Fees range from $1.60–$40 based on loan amount. Quals apply.
9. Current disclaimers
The following disclosures apply to Current offers that may appear on MoneyBuddha.com. All terms are set by Current and its partners and are subject to change.
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. Delays by the employer, payer, or their banks may result in delayed access to funds beyond our control.
1. Fees
Fees may apply, including out-of-network cash withdrawal fees, third-party fees, cash load fees, inactivity fees, account closure fees, international transaction fees, replacement card fees, express mail fees, and escheatment fees.
2. Fee-Free Overdraft (up to $200)
Up to $200 overdraft amount only available for a limited time to new users who sign up for a Current account through the applicable landing page and/or with the applicable code, as determined by Current in its sole discretion. Actual overdraft amount may vary and is subject to change at any time, at Current’s sole discretion. In order to qualify and enroll in the Fee-Free Overdraft feature, you must receive a minimum of $200 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits into your Current Account over the preceding 35-day period and fulfill other requirements subject to Current’s discretion. Negative balances must be repaid within 60 days of the first Eligible Transaction that caused the negative balance. For more information, please refer to Fee-Free Overdraft Terms and Conditions.
Paycheck Advance
* Paycheck Advance is offered by Finco Advance LLC, a financial technology company, not a bank, and is for eligible customers only. Your actual available Paycheck Advance amount will be displayed to you in the mobile app and may change from time to time. Conditions and eligibility may vary and are subject to change at any time, at the sole discretion of Finco Advance LLC. For more information, please refer to Paycheck Advance Terms and Conditions.
All bank and fintech disclosures on this page are reproduced from materials provided by the respective providers and are intended to reflect the terms applicable to offers you may encounter via MoneyBuddha.com. Providers may update their terms at any time, and the controlling terms for any product are those published on the provider’s own website at the moment you apply or open an account.