Chime, a financial technology company offering checking through partner banks, pays less at once than Chase or SoFi's top checking bonuses. Chime suits smaller direct deposits, while Chase and SoFi pay more for larger payroll deposits. A checking bonus is cash for opening an account and meeting deposit rules. Your deposit size, timing, and transfer type decide which offer pays you most.
Table of Contents
- What does Chime pay new checking customers?
- How do Chase and SoFi compare on payout?
- What counts as a qualifying direct deposit?
- Which bonus fits your deposit size?
What does Chime pay new checking customers?
Chime's referral bonus pays $100 to a new Checking customer who joins through a referral link, sets up direct deposit, and activates the card. Chime says payment typically arrives within 2 days in its referral details. Finder reports the same $100 requires at least $200 in qualifying direct deposit within 45 days.
It also requires activation of the physical Visa card within 14 days after that deposit. Chime also offers a tiered bonus totaling up to $350. Finder describes the payout as $100, then $100, then $150 in its bonus breakdown. Each payment needs a $200 or larger direct deposit in one of the first three months.
How do Chase and SoFi compare on payout?
Chase Total Checking pays $300 after you open an account and receive direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment. NerdWallet describes that $300 threshold in its Chase checking review.
SoFi Checking and Savings pays $50 for at least $1,000 in eligible direct deposits or $400 for at least $5,000. SoFi measures the total within 25 days after your first eligible deposit, as stated by SoFi on its official banking page. The Motley Fool reports that offer expires December 31, 2026 for new or never-enrolled members who meet the window.
What counts as a qualifying direct deposit?
Finder reports Chime excludes bank ACH transfers, peer-to-peer transfers such as Cash App or Venmo, trial deposits, cash loads, and one-time direct deposits. Only recurring payroll-style direct deposit reliably qualifies.
Check your transfer type before you count on a bonus. These moves do not count for Chime:.
- Bank-to-bank ACH pushes
- Cash App or Venmo transfers
- Trial microdeposits and cash loads
- One-time direct deposits
Which bonus fits your deposit size?
A $200 paycheck deposit can trigger Chime's monthly payments but will not reach Chase's $500 total or SoFi's $1,000 and $5,000 tiers. Larger, faster payroll routing favors Chase for a midsize deposit and SoFi for a large one.
Chime is not a bank; banking services and cards come from The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. If you can move $5,000 of pay within 25 days, SoFi's $400 tier beats Chime's $350 three-month ceiling before the December 31, 2026 expiration.
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