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Everyone loves a good deal, especially when it comes with a little cash back in their pockets.

According to a Lending Tree survey, 87% of U.S. adults have at least one rewards credit card. Another poll found that the majority of rewards cardholders prefer cash-back cards over any other option.

If you’re thinking about adding a credit card to your wallet, here are a few things you might want to know about cash-back rewards, including how cash-back rewards work, and whether this type of rewards card makes sense for you.

What Are “Cash-Back Rewards”?

Cash-back credit cards are offered by many credit card companies to qualified consumers. Consumers can use these credit cards to make purchases, and a certain percentage of that purchase is returned to the customer as a cash incentive. In other words, cash back rewards can be an easy way to make the most of everyday expenses.

Typically, cash-back rewards range between 1% and 2%; however, a few cards offer more.

Some rewards cards offer a set number of points per purchase that can be redeemed later for cash or for goods like airline tickets, discounts at coffee shops, or gift cards.

How Does Cash Back Work?

Cash-back rewards are easy to use. All that consumers have to do is spend as they normally do, and in return, the credit card company calculates the percentage to return to the cardholder based on what they spent on eligible purchases.

For example: A card pays a flat rate of 2% cash back on all purchases. If the cardholder spends $1,000 in a statement period, the card issuer will then give the cardholder $20 in cash-back rewards.

The card issuer pays out the percentage at the end of a given term, which could mean paying it out at the end of a statement period or billing cycle, or even once you hit a predetermined amount, like $20.

Cash-back cards might come in handy for everything from large purchases to everyday needs. Think of it this way — rather than purchasing things with cash, which doesn’t provide any added benefits, a cash-back card could return money right into a consumer’s pocket.

However, in order for that money to really pay off, the cardholder will likely want to pay off the credit card balance every month in full so they’re not accruing interest and fees, and negating that cash-back reward.

One thing to remember is that cash-back cards are different from other rewards cards. There are rewards cards that offer specific travel rewards, cards that partner with gas stations to earn free gallons, and many more.

Four Ways to Redeem Cash-Back Rewards

Depending on the cash back card, there may be a number of different ways you can redeem cash back rewards. Here are some commonly offered options.

1. Credit card balance reduction: This allows you to have your cash rewards applied to your balance and use them to pay off a portion of your monthly bill.

2. Gift cards: Some card issuers allow you to redeem your cash back rewards in the form of gift cards to your favorite retailers or restaurants. To sweeten this deal, some issuers partner with other companies, such as online retailers or airlines, to provide bonus payouts when cash back rewards are redeemed with a gift card.

3. Charitable giving: Several card providers allow users to use their cash back for good, sending their rewards directly to the charity of their choice. All that users need to do is select the charity and the card does the rest.

4. Paper check or direct deposit: You can often redeem your cash-back as just that — cash. In this case, you ask your card issuer to transfer the money directly to your bank account or send a paper check.

The Different Types of Cash-Back Cards

While cash-back cards all work in a similar way, there are some differences between these cards to keep in mind.

Some are flat-rate cards, which means that cardholders receive the same exact cash back percentage on every eligible purchase, be it groceries or plane tickets. This option is easy as users never have to think about the way they use their cards.

Another option is a bonus category cash back card. These cards offer higher cash back percentages on certain purchase categories. For example, you might get more cash back on gas and groceries (say 2% or 3%) than you do on other items (say 1%). If you opt for this type of card, it can be a good idea to make sure the higher variable percentage is for items you purchase often.

Some cards rotate these bonus purchase categories every quarter, and you need to activate your rotating bonus categories in order to earn rewards. Others allow you to choose your bonus category.

Any of these cards may offer additional features, such as:

•   Special promotions One way to earn even more cash back may be via a special promotion run through the credit card. For example, a credit card may typically offer 1% cash-back. However, for one billing cycle, it could partner with a large retailer for 5% cash back for all eligible purchases.

•   Signup bonuses Cash back rewards cards might also come with signup bonuses to attract new customers. This might be a certain lump sum of cash back (say $100) if you spend a certain amount in the first three months. Or, you might be able to earn double or triple cash back for a set period of time.

Potential Drawbacks of Cash-Back Rewards

Cash-back credit cards can come with a few potential downsides that users may also want to be aware of. As with signing up for any new credit card, it’s a wise idea to read the fine print.

For instance, you may want to be sure to read through the contract carefully to understand exactly how the rewards work, what to expect along the way, and also suss out any hidden credit card fees such as late payment fees, balance transfer fees, foreign transaction fees, and more.

It can also be a good idea to find out if the card has a high annual fee, which may negate any earned rewards, and what the APR (annual percentage rate) is, in case you get into a bind and need to carry over a balance month to month. However, it’s key to keep in mind that carrying a balance nearly always outweighs any rewards.

It’s also important to note that many credit cards (cash-back or otherwise) can retain the right to change their bonus structure at any time. That means it could change the percentage of cash users receive in return for purchases for a lower (or higher) amount. So, users might want to be happy with the card and its rates and policies, not just the cash-back rewards, as that could change at any moment.

When looking at the fine print, consumers might also want to identify if the card comes with a cap on possible rewards. Many cards limit just how much money a user is allowed to claim, so make sure to know that number and be comfortable with the limit.

And, again, like all cards, it’s key to pay off a cash-back rewards card in a timely fashion. This way, users won’t be paying interest on purchases with a card that was meant to bring them a little money in return.

Recommended: What Is a Good APR?

The Takeaway

Cash-back is a credit card rewards benefit that refunds the cardholder a small percentage of some or all purchases made with the card. Every time you make an eligible purchase with your cash-back credit card, your card issuer will pay you back a percentage of that transaction. Your cash-back reward won’t necessarily pay out immediately. Like your statement balance, your rewards will accrue each month and show up on your monthly statement.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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There are many reasons why you might want to sock away some cash and perhaps earn interest while you’re at it. Perhaps you’re saving up for a down payment on a house or gathering funds for an epic cross-country road trip. Or maybe you are trying to build up a healthy emergency fund or save for grad school. Or you might just need a safe place with good rewards to store your paycheck as you pay bills.

Whatever the scenario may be, a deposit account can be the answer. There are several different kinds of these accounts that can help your money stay secure but accessible and perhaps earn an annual percentage yield (APY) to help it grow.

Here, you’ll learn about the different account options that are available, including the pros and cons of each.

Basic Checking and Savings Accounts

There are several different kinds of basic checking and savings accounts. You may find standard accounts, premium accounts, and other variations offered by financial institutions. Here are the pros and cons of these deposit accounts.

Checking Account Pros and Cons

First, the pros:

•   A checking account usually has very low monthly account fees or no monthly account fees.

•   A checking account typically allows access in multiple ways. You can write checks and get an ATM card or debit card. You might get access to online and mobile banking apps so that you can mobile deposit money and pay your bills.

•   These accounts provide a hub for your financial life: You have a home for your paycheck to be direct-deposited, you’ll have records of your transactions, and more ways to anchor and track your money.

•   You’ll usually enjoy FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) or NCUA (National Credit Union Administration) insurance of $250,000 per account holder, per account ownership category, per insured institution. Some institutions offer enhanced coverage, too.

•   You may find an interest-bearing checking account, though the rate is usually not as much as a savings account.

Next, the cons:

•   Many checking accounts pay no interest or very low interest, so you’re not helping your money grow.

•   There can be minimum balance requirements on checking accounts, especially ones with enhanced levels of service.

•   You may be charged accounts fees as well, which can cut into your cash.

Savings Account Pros and Cons

Savings accounts come with slightly different pros and cons. First, the upsides:

•   Most of the different kinds of savings accounts don’t charge account fees.

•   Savings accounts are interest-bearing, meaning your money can grow, especially through compound interest. However, not all savings accounts are created equal: Some standard accounts pay quite low interest. Look to online vs. traditional banks for higher rates (more on this below).

•   These accounts are also typically insured by FDIC or NCUA.

As for the downsides:

•   You probably can’t access your account via checks or a debit card. You will likely be limited to transfers and ATM withdrawals.

•   In addition, while the Federal Reserve has lifted the six-transaction limitation on savings accounts due to the pandemic, many banks still impose some transfer and withdrawal limitations on savings accounts.

•   You may encounter minimum balance requirements and fees if you go below that amount.

5 Other Deposit Account Options

Here are some other deposit account types you might consider beyond checking and savings:

1. High-Interest Savings Accounts

Some banks offer special, high-interest savings accounts that can offer much higher rates than traditional savings accounts. Some institutions don’t charge monthly fees for these accounts while others do but will waive them if you meet a balance minimum.

As with all savings accounts, you may be limited in terms of the number of withdrawals or transfers you can make each month.

One good place to look for this type of account is at an online bank. Because these institutions typically have lower operating expenses than brick-and-mortar banks, they can often offer rates that can be considerably higher than traditional banks, and may also be less likely to charge monthly fees.

💡 Learn more about how high-yield savings accounts work

2. Money Market Accounts

A money market account is a type of deposit account that pays interest on deposits and allows withdrawals.
Money market accounts are similar to standard savings and checking accounts, except that they typically pay higher interest rates, require higher initial deposits, and may also require minimum balances, which can run anywhere from $100 to $10,000.

Unlike standard savings accounts, some money market accounts also come with a debit card and checks, although institutions may require that they not be used more than six times per month.

You may want to keep in mind the difference between a money market account vs. a money market fund. A money market account is a federally insured banking instrument, whereas a money market fund is an investment account.

Typically, money market funds invest in cash and cash-equivalent securities. It is considered low risk but doesn’t have a guaranteed return.

3. Certificates of Deposits (CDs)

A certificate of deposit (CD) is a product offered by consumer financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, that provides a premium interest rate in exchange for leaving a lump-sum deposit untouched for a certain period of time.

The bank determines the terms of a CD, including the duration (or term) of the CD, how much higher the rate will be compared to the bank’s savings and money market products, and what penalties will be applied for early withdrawal.

CDs offer different term lengths that usually range from a few months to several years. Interest rates tend to be higher for longer terms. Some CDs have a minimum deposit amount that can be over $1,000 or more, though there are banks that offer CDs in any amount.

Sounds good? Well, it is if you know you won’t be touching that money for the entire term length. If you suddenly need the money, then you will likely have to pay a penalty to withdraw money early from your CD.

While you can get no-penalty CDs or early withdrawal CDs, it’s a good idea to make sure to read the fine print, as many of these accounts only have no penalties or withdrawal fees if you take money out during the first few weeks after you invest. In return for that withdrawal window, you often give up a significant amount in APY.

If ease of access is a concern, it might make sense to invest in CDs that feature fewer restrictions around withdrawals. Or, you could set up a CD ladder strategy where you buy CDs that have different maturity dates, ensuring access to funds as your CDs mature at staggered intervals.

4. High-Yield Checking Accounts

Though interest is normally associated with savings, and not checking, accounts, many financial institutions offer high-yield checking accounts.

These interest-bearing accounts, sometimes called rewards checking, work like regular checking accounts and come with checks and an ATM or debit card.

In return for getting a higher interest rate, these accounts often come with rules and restrictions. You may, for example, only earn the higher rate on money up to a certain limit. Any money over that amount would then earn a significantly lower rate.

You may also be required to make a certain number of debit card purchases per month and sign up for direct deposit in order to earn the higher (or rewards) rate and to avoid a monthly fee.

The benefit of an interest-bearing checking account is that you’ll always have access to your money and you may have fewer limitations on how you can use your account than you might with a savings account, all while still earning a bit of interest.

5. Cash Management Accounts

A cash management account is a cash account offered by a financial institution other than a bank or credit union, such as a brokerage firm. These accounts are designed for managing cash, making payments, and earning interest all in one place.

Cash management accounts often allow you to get checks, an ATM card, and online or mobile banking access in order to pay your bills. They also typically pay interest that is higher than standard savings accounts.

Cash management accounts also generally don’t have as many fees or restrictions as traditional savings accounts, but it’s important to read the fine print.

Before opening a cash management account, you may want to ask about monthly account fees and minimum balance requirements.

Some brokerage firms require a sizable opening deposit and/or charge monthly fees if your account falls below a certain minimum. Others will have no monthly fees and no minimums.

Time vs Demand Deposit Accounts

When you consider different kinds of deposit accounts, you may hear the terms time vs. demand accounts. Here’s how they differ:

•   A time deposit, such as a CD, requires you to keep your money with a financial institution for a particular period of time.

•   With a time deposit, if you withdraw funds before the end of the term, you may face penalties.

•   With a demand deposit account (such as a checking account), you may access your cash whenever you like.

•   While you won’t pay a penalty for withdrawing money, you may earn a lower interest rate than with a time deposit account.

Here’s the difference between these two kinds of accounts in chart form:

Opening a Bank Account With SoFi

If you’re looking for a safe, convenient place to keep your money and also earn some interest while you’re at it, there are a number of great options to pick from.

When you open a Checking and Savings account with SoFi, you’ll spend and save in one convenient place, while earning a competitive APY and paying no account fees. Plus you’ll have fee-free access to 55,000+ ATMs worldwide within the Allpoint Network.

SoFi Checking and Savings: The better way to bank.

FAQ

What are the different types of deposit accounts?

There are several different kinds of deposit accounts, including checking, savings, certificate of deposit (CD), cash management, and money market accounts.

What is the most common type of deposit account?

Among the most common types of deposit accounts are a standard checking account or other kind of checking account.

Is a CD considered a deposit account?

A CD is considered a deposit account, but a time deposit vs. a demand deposit. That means that you are supposed to let the money stay in the CD until it reaches the maturity date or else you will likely be charged a fee. A demand deposit account, on the other hand, can be accessed when you please.

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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.20% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.

SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. 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. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.

SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.

Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% 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 10/31/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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