Differences and Similarities Between Personal Lines of Credit and Credit Cards

Differences and Similarities Between Personal Lines of Credit and Credit Cards

Credit cards and personal lines of credit both allow you to borrow money over time until you hit a credit limit. You typically pay back what you owe on a monthly basis, paying interest on your balance.

Each method has its pros and cons (for example, while a line of credit may have a lower interest rate, it likely won’t offer rewards and may be tougher to qualify for). Here, you’ll learn the ins and outs of a personal line of credit vs. a credit card so you can decide which is right for you.

What Is a Personal Line of Credit?

A personal line of credit operates under the same concept as a credit card, with slight differences. It’s a type of revolving credit that allows you to borrow a set amount, which is typically based on your income. Here are details to know:

•   The majority of personal lines of credit are unsecured, meaning there’s no collateral at risk if you default on payments. However, you can obtain a secured personal line of credit at some institutions if you put down a deposit. This deposit will be used to pay your balance due if you default on payments, but it can also help you achieve a lower interest rate. Personal loans secured by a deposit are typically used as a method for building credit.

•   A home equity line of credit (or HELOC) is similar to a secured personal line of credit in that your house acts as the collateral in the loan. You’re borrowing against the equity in your home. If you default on payments, your house could be foreclosed on to make up the difference.



💡 Quick Tip: A low-interest personal loan can consolidate your debts, lower your monthly payments, and help you get out of debt sooner.

How Does a Personal Line of Credit Work?

Get acquainted with how a personal line of credit works:

•   As with any other credit transaction, personal lines of credit are reported to the three major credit bureaus. You will have to provide details about your financial standings in order to qualify for a personal line of credit. Typically, this comes in the form of demonstrating your income, in addition to other requirements.

•   The interest rate for a personal line of credit usually fluctuates with the market conditions, such as the prime rate. You may also have to pay a fee each time you use your personal line of credit.

•   Some banking institutions may require you to have a checking account established with them before offering you a personal line of credit. This is critical for using your personal line of credit, since the money can be transferred to a linked checking account. (In some cases, you might receive funds via a payment card (similar to a debit card) or use special checks to move the funds.

•   Personal lines of credit contain what’s called a “draw period.” During this predetermined amount of time, you can use your available credit as you please, as long as you don’t go over the limit.

•   Once the draw period reaches its end, you may be required to either pay your remaining balance in full or pay it off by a certain date after that.

What Is a Credit Card?

Is a credit card a line of credit? Not exactly. A credit card is a type of unsecured revolving credit that includes a credit limit. This limit is determined by your financial situation, which requires a hard credit check. There are credit cards for practically all types of credit scores, from poor all the way up to excellent.

Many credit cards offer rewards in the form of cash back or travel rewards. You may also receive a bonus for signing up for a new account, either as rewards or as an interest-free, introductory financing period. Also, a credit card can offer cardholder benefits such as purchase protection or travel insurance.

How Does a Credit Card Work?

Your personal bank or other financial institutions may offer their own credit cards, but you don’t have to belong to a particular bank or lender in order to qualify for a credit card. After you’ve applied for a credit card and been approved, the lender will likely set a credit limit.

•   When you make a purchase with a credit card, it constitutes a loan. At the end of each billing cycle you’ll receive a statement. You can usually avoid interest charges by paying your statement balance in full.

•   If you choose to pay a lesser amount, you’ll incur interest charges. Credit cards typically charge high interest, so it’s important to stay on top of the amount you owe, which can increase quickly.

•   If you don’t make a payment by the statement due date, you will likely also incur a late payment fee. Interest charges and fees are added to the account balance, and interest will accrue on this new total.

•   If you miss payments by 60 days typically, you could be assessed a higher penalty APR.

Recommended: Average Personal Loan Rates

Personal Lines of Credit Vs Credit Cards Compared

Now that you know a bit more about each of these options, you know that the answer to “Is a line of credit the same as a credit card?” is no. Now, take a closer look at the difference between a line of credit and a credit card.

Similarities

Both personal lines of credit and credit cards are types of revolving credit. This means you can borrow up to a certain amount as it suits you, as long as you pay the balance back down in order to make room for future purchases.

Both personal lines of credit and credit cards also report your balance and payment history to the three major consumer credit bureaus.

Differences

Here’s a quick summary of the main differences between personal lines of credit and credit cards.

Features

Personal Line of Credit

Credit Card

Interest rate Typically lower than credit cards Typically higher than personal lines of credit
Borrowing limit Often up to $50,000 or more Typically, $28,000 but varies
Rewards None Many cards offer cash back or travel rewards
Fees Annual fee, late payment fees, fees for drawing on account Annual fees, balance transfer fees, late payment fees and penalty APRs, overdraft fees
Application process Can be lengthy Usually very simple
Grace period No Yes
Other benefits Good for emergency and/or unexpected expenses Many cards offer travel insurance, purchase protection, and other benefits.



💡 Quick Tip: Swap high-interest debt for a lower-interest loan, and save money on your monthly payments. Find out why credit card consolidation loans are so popular.

Pros and Cons of Personal Lines of Credit

There are times when a personal line of credit can make life much simpler. However, you may have to accept certain tradeoffs.

Pros

Cons

Lower fees for a cash advance Potential fees for usage
High borrowing limits Preset credit lifespan
Lowwe interest rates No spending rewards or perks
Funds can be used at your discretion No interest-free grace period
You only pay interest on what you borrow Annual fee

Pros and Cons of Credit Cards

Credit cards are a powerful financial tool you can use to wisely manage your spending. Knowing the terms of the game, however, is just as important as learning how to be responsible with credit cards.

Pros

Cons

Many cards offer rewards for spending Some cards have annual fees
Can be used for retail purchases Typically high interest rates
One for practically every credit score Hefty fees for cash advances
Useful tool in establishing and/or rebuilding credit Balance transfer fees

Recommended: Credit Score vs. FICO® Score

Alternatives to Revolving Credit

Besides personal lines of credit and credit cards, there are a few other types of financial products you can use to access credit.

Personal Loans

It may be easy to get personal loans vs. lines of credit confused, but it’s crucial to know the difference. For example, a personal line of credit is a potential amount that can be borrowed. Personal loans, however, are a lump sum of money that you receive shortly after your approval. Here’s how this kind of loan typically:

•   Obtaining either a secured or unsecured personal loan requires a credit check. The potential amount you may be able to borrow ranges from $1,000 all the way up to $40,000 or more.

•   Some personal loans are taken out for a specific purpose, such as a home renovation, a personal line of credit can often be used for whatever reason crops up. For example, you may want to go with a personal loan instead of a line of credit if you need to make home renovations.

•   A personal loan rate calculator can be used to see what terms you may be able to expect. While these calculators may not give you the exact terms you’ll receive if you do obtain a personal loan, they can be a great starting place.

Auto Loan

Many people don’t have thousands of dollars sitting around to help pay towards a new car, so they use auto loans. An auto loan is a kind of personal loan that’s secured by the title of the vehicle.

If the borrower fails to pay the loan, the vehicle can be repossessed. And the name of the lender typically appears on the title of the car, so the loan must be paid off before the car can be sold.

Mortgage

A mortgage, or home loan, is a loan that’s secured by a real estate property. Because of the inherent value of real estate, a home mortgage can often have a lower interest rate than other types of secured loans. Most home mortgages are installment loans that have a fixed repayment period, such as 30 years or 15 years.

A home equity loan or a home equity line of credit is a second mortgage taken out against the existing equity in a property. Because of their low interest rates these are sometimes used instead of unsecured personal loans.

Student Loans

Student loans can allow students to fund their education; you may not need to start paying those loans off until you’ve graduated.

Federal student aid can help pay for college-related costs as well. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is one way to determine how much and what type of federal student aid students and parents might qualify for. Some individual colleges also use the FAFSA in determining eligibility for their own financial aid programs.

Private student loans are another option, both for loans and to refinance federal loans. In terms of the latter, however, there are two important considerations:

•   If you refinance federal student loans with private loans, you forfeit the federal benefits and protections, such as forgiveness.

•   If you refinance for an extended term, you may pay more interest over the life of the loan.

•   For these reasons, think carefully about whether private student loans suit your situation.

The Takeaway

Personal lines of credit are similar to credit cards in that they are both generally unsecured loans issued based on your personal creditworthiness. By understanding how a credit card differs from a personal line of credit, you can choose the loan that best fits your needs or decide to access cash through an alternative method.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.


SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Personal Loan overall.

FAQ

Here’s a list of the most common questions associated with personal lines of credit and credit cards.

Is a personal line of credit the same as a credit card?

Personal lines of credit and credit cards are similar but not the same. A credit card is a form of payment accepted by merchants and a kind of revolving loan. A personal line of credit is a revolving loan, and the funds are typically transferred to the borrower’s personal bank account before they are used for purchases. Credit cards can also have numerous benefits not offered by a personal line of credit but the interest rate may be higher.

Are there additional risks to lines of credit vs credit cards?

Both personal lines of credit and credit cards require you to pay back what you owe, whether it’s on a monthly basis or at the end of the draw period, in the case of a line of credit. Making late payments or missing payments can negatively affect your credit score and incur fees.

Do personal lines of credit affect your credit score?

Yes, personal lines of credit, just like credit cards, are subject to reporting to the major credit bureaus. If you make late payments or miss payments, your credit score can be negatively affected. However, personal lines of credit can also be used to build your credit if you make your payments on time and use your credit responsibly.


Photo credit: iStock/Deepak Sethi

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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.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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401(k) Catch-Up Contributions: What Are They & How Do They Work?

401(k) Catch-Up Contributions: What Are They & How Do They Work?

Retirement savers age 50 and older get to put extra tax-advantaged money into their 401(k) accounts beyond the standard annual contribution limits. Those additional savings are known as “catch-up contributions.”

If you have a 401(k) at work, taking advantage of catch-up contributions is key to making the most of your plan, especially as retirement approaches. Here’s a closer look at how 401(k) catch-up limits work.

What Is 401(k) Catch-Up?

A 401(k) is a type of defined contribution plan. This means the amount you can withdraw in retirement depends on how much you contribute during your working years, along with any employer matching contributions you may receive, as well as how those funds grow over time.

There are limits on how much employees can contribute to their 401(k) plan each year as well as limits on the total amount that employers can contribute. The regular employee contribution limit is $22,500 for 2023 and $23,000 for 2024. This is the maximum amount you can defer from your paychecks into your plan — unless you’re eligible to make catch-up contributions.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 414(v), a catch-up contribution is defined as a contribution in excess of the annual elective salary deferral limit. For 2023 and 2024, the 401(k) catch-up contribution limit is $7,500.

That means if you’re eligible to make these contributions, you would need to put a total of $30,000 in your 401(k) in 2023 to max out the account and $30,500 in 2024. That doesn’t include anything your employer matches.

Congress authorized catch-up contributions for retirement plans as part of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA). The legislation aimed to help older savers “catch up” and avoid falling short of their retirement goals, so they can better cover typical retirement expenses and enjoy their golden years.

Originally created as a temporary measure, catch-up contributions became a permanent feature of 401(k) and other retirement plans following the passage of the Pension Protection Act in 2006.

Who Is Eligible for 401(k) Catch-Up?

To make catch-up contributions to a 401(k), you must be age 50 or older and enrolled in a plan that allows catch-up contributions, such as a 401(k).

The clock starts ticking the year you turn 50. So even if you don’t turn 50 until December 31, you could still make 401(k) catch-up contributions for that year, assuming your plan follows a standard calendar year.

Making Catch-Up Contributions

If you know that you’re eligible to make 401(k) catch-up contributions, the next step is coordinating those contributions. This is something with which your plan administrator, benefits coordinator, or human resources director can help.

Assuming you’ve maxed out your 401(k) regular contribution limit, you’d have to decide how much more you want to add for catch-up contributions and adjust your elective salary deferrals accordingly. Remember, the regular deadline for making 401(k) contributions each year is December 31.

It’s possible to make catch-up contributions whether you have a traditional 401(k) or a Roth 401(k), as long as your plan allows them. The main difference between these types of plans is tax treatment.

•   You fund a traditional 401(k) with pre-tax dollars, including anything you save through catch-up contributions. That means you’ll pay ordinary income tax on earnings when you withdraw money in retirement.

•   With a Roth 401(k), regular contributions and catch-up contributions use after-tax dollars. This allows you to withdraw earnings tax-free in retirement, which is a valuable benefit if you anticipate being in a higher tax bracket when you retire.

You can also make catch-up contributions to a solo 401(k), a type of 401(k) used by sole proprietorships or business owners who only employ their spouse. This type of plan observes the same annual contribution limits and catch-up contribution limits as employer-sponsored 401(k) plans. You can choose whether your solo 401(k) follows traditional 401(k) rules or Roth 401(k) rules for tax purposes.

401(k) Catch-Up Contribution Limits

Those aged 50 and older can make catch-up contributions not only to their 401(k) accounts, but also to other types of retirement accounts, including 403(b) plans, 457 plans, SIMPLE IRAs, and traditional or Roth IRAs.

The IRS determines how much to allow for elective salary deferrals, catch-up contributions, and aggregate employer and employee contributions to retirement accounts, periodically adjusting those amounts for inflation. Here’s how the IRS retirement plan contribution limits for 2023 add up:

Retirement Plan Contribution Limits in 2023

Annual Contribution Catch Up Contribution Total Contribution for 50 and older
Traditional, Roth and solo 401(k) plans; 403(b) and 457 plans $22,500 $7,500 $30,000
Defined Contribution Maximum, including employer contributions $66,000 $7,500 $73,500
SIMPLE IRA $15,000 $3,500 $18,500
Traditional and Roth IRA $6,500 $1,000 $7,500

These amounts only include what you contribute to your plan or, in the case of the defined contribution maximum, what your employer contributes as a match. Any earnings realized from your plan investments don’t count toward your annual or catch-up contribution limits.

Also keep in mind that employer contributions may be subject to your company’s vesting schedule, meaning you don’t own them until you’ve reached certain employment milestones.

Tax Benefits of Making Catch-Up Contributions

Catch-up contributions to 401(k) retirement savings allow you to save more money in a tax-advantaged way. The additional money you can set aside to “catch up” on your 401(k) progress enables you to save on taxes now, as you won’t pay taxes on the amount you contribute until you withdraw it in retirement. These savings can add up if you’re currently in a high tax bracket, offsetting some of the work of saving extra.

The amount you contribute will also grow tax-deferred, and making catch-up contributions can result in a sizable difference in the size of your 401(k) by the time you retire. Let’s say you start maxing out your 401(k) plus catch-up contributions as soon as you turn 50, continuing that until you retire at age 65. That would be 15 years of thousands of extra dollars saved annually.

Those extra savings, thanks to catch-up contributions, could easily cross into six figures of added retirement savings and help compensate for any earlier lags in saving, such as if you were far off from hitting the suggested 401(k) amount by 30.

Roth 401(k) Catch-Up Contributions

The maximum amount you can contribute to a Roth 401(k) is the same as it is for a traditional 401(k): $22,500 and, if you’re 50 or older, $7,500 in catch-up contributions, as of 2023. For 2024, it is $23,000 and, if you’re 50 or older, $7,500 in catch-up contributions. This means that if you’re age 50 and up, you are able to contribute a total of $30,000 to your Roth 401(k) in 2023 and $30,500 in 2024.

If your employer offers both traditional and Roth 401(k) plans, you may be able to contribute to both, and some may even match Roth 401(k) contributions. Taking advantage of both types of accounts can allow you to diversify your retirement savings, giving you some money that you can withdraw tax-free and another account that’s grown tax-deferred.

However, if you have both types of 401(k) plans, keep in mind while managing your 401(k) that the contribution limit applies across both accounts. In other words, you can’t the maximum amount to each 401(k) — rather, they’d share that limit.

The Takeaway

Putting money into a 401(k) account through payroll deductions is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save money for your retirement. To determine how much you need to put into that account, it helps to know how much you need to save for retirement. If you start early, you may not need to make catch-up contributions. But if you’re 50 or older, taking advantage of 401(k) catch-up contributions is a great way to turbocharge your tax-advantaged retirement savings.

Of course, you can also add to your retirement savings with an IRA. While a 401(k) has its advantages, including automatic savings and a potential employer match, it’s not the only way to grow retirement wealth. If you’re interested in a traditional, Roth, or SEP IRA, you can easily open an IRA account on the SoFi Invest® brokerage platform. If you’re age 50 or older, those accounts will also provide an opportunity for catch-up contributions.

Help grow your nest egg with a SoFi IRA.

FAQ

How does the 401(k) catch-up work?

401(k) catch-up contributions allow you to increase the amount you are allowed to contribute to your 401(k) plan on an annual basis. Available to those aged 50 and older who are enrolled in an eligible plan, these catch-contributions are intended to help older savers meet their retirement goals.

What is the 401(k) catch-up amount in 2023?

For 2023, the 401(k) catch-up contribution limit is $7,500.


Photo credit: iStock/1001Love

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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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Five Steps to Changing Your Homeowners Insurance

5 Steps to Changing Your Homeowners Insurance

Whether it’s a cozy micro-cabin or a rambling Colonial, your home is probably the single largest purchase you’ll ever make and your biggest physical asset. An investment like that is worth protecting.

That’s where homeowners insurance comes in; it gives you peace of mind that if you were to have major damage or get robbed, there would be funds to repair and restore your home. But what happens when you think it’s time to change your policy?

Here’s what you need to know about switching your homeowners insurance policy, as well as a step-by-step guide to getting it done as quickly as possible and with a minimum of hassles.

Can I Switch Homeowners Insurance at Any Time?

Good news: yes! No matter the reason, you’re allowed to change your homeowner’s insurance at any time. This is good, since shopping around for the right policy can save you a lot of money in some instances.

If you’re shopping for a new home as we speak, it can be a good idea to start looking at insurance before you sign the purchase agreement. And if you’re an existing homeowner looking to save money or simply find a new policy, you absolutely can do so whenever you like. But it’s important to follow the steps in order to ensure you don’t accidentally have a lapse in coverage.


💡 Quick Tip: Homeowners insurance covers three basic categories: the building itself, the belongings inside, and your liability if someone gets hurt on your property.

When Should I Change My Homeowners Insurance?

There are certain events that should also trigger a review of your insurance, including paying off your mortgage (your rates may well go down) and adding a pool (your rates may go up). Also, you may find you are offered deals if you bundle your homeowners insurance with, say, your car insurance; that might be a savings you want to consider.

You never know what options might be available out there to help you save some money. And since homeowners insurance can easily cost more than $1,800 per year, it can be well worth shopping around.

Recommended: Is Homeowners Insurance Required to Buy a Home?

How Often Should I Change My Homeowners Insurance?

You’re really the only person who can answer this one, but in general, it’s a good idea to at least review your coverage annually.

However, it does take time and effort. Sometimes, a cheaper policy means less coverage, so it’s not always a good deal. Be sure you’re able to thoroughly review all the fine print and make sure you know what you’re getting.

Ready to change your homeowners insurance? Follow these steps in order to ensure you don’t accidentally sustain a loss in coverage!

Step One: Check the Terms and Conditions of Your Existing Policy

The first step toward changing your homeowners insurance policy is ensuring that you actually want to change it in the first place!

Take a look at your existing policy and see what your coverage is like, and be sure to look closely to see if there are any specific terms about early termination. While you always have the right to change your homeowners insurance policy, there could be a fee involved. In many instances, you may have to wait a bit to receive a prorated refund for unused coverage.

Step Two: Think about Your Coverage Needs

Once you have a handle on what your current insurance covers, you can start shopping for new insurance in an informed way. You probably don’t want to “save money” by accidentally purchasing a less comprehensive plan. But do think about how your coverage needs may have shifted since you last purchased homeowners insurance.

For example, the value of your home may have changed (lucky you if your once “up and coming” neighborhood is not officially a hot market). Or perhaps you’ve added on additional structures or outbuildings and need to bump up your policy to cover those.

Step Three: Research Different Insurance Companies

Now comes the labor-intensive part: looking around at other available insurance policies to see what’s on offer. Keep your current premiums and deductibles in mind as you shop around. Saving money is likely one of the main objectives of this exercise, though sometimes, higher costs are worth it for better coverage.

Make sure you are carefully comparing coverage limits, deductibles, and premiums to get the best policy for your needs. Also consider whether the policy is providing actual cash value or replacement value. You may want to opt for a slightly pricier “replacement value” so you have funds to go out and buy new versions of any lost or damaged items, versus getting a lower, depreciated amount.

In addition to the theoretical coverage you encounter, it’s a good idea to stick with insurers with a good reputation. All the coverage in the world doesn’t matter if it’s only on paper; you need to be able to get through to customer service and file a claim when and if the time comes!

Fortunately, many online reviews are available that make this vetting process a lot easier. A few reputable sources for ratings: The Better Business Bureau and J.D. Power’s Customer Satisfaction Survey, and Property Claims Satisfaction Study. You can also do some of the footwork yourself by calling around to get quotes, though this is time-intensive and you might want to simply use an online comparison tool instead.

Step Four: Start Your New Policy, Then Cancel Your Old One

Found a new insurance plan that suits your needs better than your current one? Great news! But here’s the really important part: You want to get that new policy started before you cancel your old one.

That’s because even a short lapse in coverage could jeopardize your valuable investment, as well as drive up premiums in the future. Once you’ve made the new insurance purchase call and have your new declarations page in hand, you are ready to make the old insurance cancellation call. Be sure to verify the following with your old insurer:

•   The cancellation date is on or after the new insurance policy’s start date.

•   The old insurance policy won’t be automatically renewed and is fully canceled.

•   If you’re entitled to a prorated refund, find out how it will be issued and how long it will take to arrive.

Congratulations: You’ve got new homeowners insurance!

Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait

Step Five: Let Your Lender Know

The last step, but still a very important one, is to notify your mortgage lender about your homeowners insurance change. Most mortgage lenders require homeowners insurance, and they need to be kept up-to-date on who’s got your back should calamity strike. Additionally, if you still owe more than 80% the home value to your lender, they may still be paying the insurer for you through an escrow account — so you definitely want to make sure those payments are going to the right company.


💡 Quick Tip: A basic homeowners insurance plan doesn’t cover floods, earthquakes, or sinkholes. If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, you may want to look into supplemental coverage.

The Takeaway

Homeowners insurance is an important but often expensive form of financial protection. It can help you cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home if you undergo a covered loss or damage. Since our homes are such valuable investments, they’re worth safeguarding. Plus, most mortgage lenders require homeowners insurance.

Sometimes, changing your policy can help you save money for comparable or better coverage. Reviewing and possibly rethinking your homeowners insurance is an important process, especially as your needs and lifestyle evolve. If you’ve added on to your home, put in a pool, bought a prized piece of art, or are enduring more punishing weather, all are signals that you should take a fresh look at your policy and make sure you’re well protected.

If you’re a new homebuyer, SoFi Protect can help you look into your insurance options. SoFi and Lemonade offer homeowners insurance that requires no brokers and no paperwork. Secure the coverage that works best for you and your home.

Find affordable homeowners insurance options with SoFi Protect.

Photo credit: iStock/MonthiraYodtiwong


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Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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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Do Banks Run Credit Checks for a Checking Account?

Do Banks Run Credit Checks for a Checking Account?

If you’re wondering whether a bank checks your credit when you open a checking account, the answer is typically no…but there’s more to the story than that one little word.

When it comes to starting a new checking account, banks don’t usually check your three-digit FICO® score — the most common score used by lenders — in order to determine your eligibility to open a checking account. They do, however, often look into your banking history via an agency known as ChexSystems.

Here’s a closer look at credit checks when opening an account and what could prevent you from getting that approval you’re after.

Whether or Not Banks Run Credit Checks for Checking Accounts

First, know that when most entities check your credit, they’re looking at that three-digit FICO score mentioned above — the one that ranges from 300 (poor) to 850 (exceptional). They will likely also receive your entire credit report, which is a detailed document listing all your open accounts, their statuses, and several years of your credit behavior, among other items.

When your credit is checked, it can be either a soft or hard credit inquiry. The former are inquiries that don’t impact your precious credit score. But the latter can wind up lowering your score because these “hard pulls,” as they are sometimes known, can indicate that you are shopping around for more credit, which can make you look like a risky prospect.

But back to our question about whether a bank will initiate a credit check…the answer is: not exactly. They typically use their own kind of financial background check system called ChexSystems. It’s a reporting agency that focuses on consumers’ banking behavior.

💡 Quick Tip: Did you know online banking can help you get paid sooner? Feel the magic of payday up to two days earlier when you set up direct deposit with SoFi.

What Is ChexSystems?

ChexSystems is a reporting agency that focuses on your behavior around banking. Some details to note:

•   Your ChexSystems report will include your history of overdrafts, negative balances, and bounced checks, as well as any instances of fraud, security freezes, and other items specifically to do with your banking history. So while it’s not a credit check, per se, it is like a credit check, and your report could lead to your being rejected for a bank account.

•   Like any other reporting agency, ChexSystems is required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to issue consumers a free report once a year, so you can regularly check your history.

•   If any of the negative items on your report are fraudulent, you can dispute that information with the agency to get it removed — and if they’re legitimate, you can work toward improving the behavior that caused them. (Most information on your ChexSystems report falls off after five years.)

•   There are also deposit accounts that don’t pull ChexSystems reports. So even if you’ve got some negative history, it’s possible to turn over a new leaf and work toward a more positive relationship with banking.

Recommended: How to Avoid ATM Fees

Why Do Banks Run Credit Checks When You Open a Bank Account?

Now that you know how credit checks work, you may wonder, Why do banks run credit checks when you want to open an account? Isn’t that their whole reason for being, to give people checking and savings accounts?

While there’s truth to that, banks do rely on their customers to keep their accounts in good order — and to pay fees, ensure checks don’t bounce, and generally be responsible bankers.

Using ChexSystems gives banks an idea of how you might behave as a banking customer in the future based on your recorded behavior. The intel in ChexSystems can also help a bank disqualify you from obtaining an account if they don’t think you pass muster.

Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account with direct deposit and get up to a $300 cash bonus. Plus, get up to 4.60% APY on your cash!


Does It Hurt Your Credit Score When Trying to Open a Bank Account?

One exciting corollary to the fact that banks don’t pull your credit score when opening an account: Opening a bank account won’t hurt your credit score, since there’s no hard credit inquiry involved. That’s comforting news to anyone opening a new bank account. It also means you can even open a few different checking and savings accounts (perhaps you want a regular checking account, plus one for your side hustle income, as well as a savings account for your emergency fund), and you won’t negatively impact your rating.

Stressed about your credit score and not loving where it’s lingering? Building your credit score is definitely an important step toward plenty of financial goals, and the behaviors you cultivate to do so may also improve your ChexSystems report. Moves like lowering the amount of debt you carry, paying bills on time all the time, and not opening too many lines of credit can really pay off.

Reasons Why You Might Be Denied a Checking Account

Unfortunately, every now and then, people do get rejected when they apply for a bank account. For banks that use ChexSystems, these are some of the reasons for a denial.

Unpaid Negative Balance on a Previous Bank Account

As mentioned, banks aren’t officially loaning money to checking account holders — but if you maintain a negative balance on an account and never pay that money back, the financial institution is on the hook for that loss. For this reason, negative balances on existing or previous accounts can spell rejection for a new one.

Abusing Overdraft Privileges

On a similar note, overdrafting again and again hinders a bank’s ability to stay in the black on your account. That goes double if you’ve avoided paying overdraft fees or other charges associated with your behavior.

Fraudulent Activity on Previous Accounts

ChexSystems records suspected fraudulent activity — which, obviously, is not something a bank wants to have to deal with in the future.

Having a Joint Account With Someone Who Has Negative Unpaid Balances on Their Accounts

When you have a joint bank account, your partner’s behaviors can affect your standing as much as your own. So even if it’s not you who’s wreaking havoc on your bank account, the other person’s negative balances, overdraft abuses, and fraudulent activity could negatively impact your ChexSystems report.

The Takeaway

If you’re sweating whether opening a bank account can involve a credit check that deflates your credit score, don’t worry. Most banks don’t pull a hard credit check to qualify you for a checking account. However, they might look into your ChexSystems report, a banking industry way of peering into an applicant’s history. Certain negative items can disqualify you from opening a bank account.

That said, there are banks out there that don’t use ChexSystems to qualify their customers, and SoFi is one of them.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.


Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.60% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.

FAQ

Do banks check your credit score when opening a checking account?

While banks don’t check your FICO score to qualify you for a checking account, they may check your ChexSystems report. This is similar to your credit report but focused specifically on your banking history.

Can you be denied a checking account because of bad credit?

You likely won’t be denied a checking account because of bad credit directly. However, if you have bad credit, you may also have negative items on your ChexSystems report that could disqualify you from some (but not all) bank accounts.

Why would a bank deny a checking account?

A bank might deny your request for an account if you have negative items on your ChexSystems report, such as fraudulent activity, negative balances, or unpaid overdraft charges.


Photo credit: iStock/MicroStockHub

SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2023 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.


SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government 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, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.

SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% 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 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 4.60% 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 10/24/2023. 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.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Why You Should Start Retirement Planning in Your 20s

Why You Should Start Retirement Planning in Your 20s

When you’re in your 20s, the last thing on your mind may be the end of your career and the retirement that comes after. But thinking about retirement now can ensure your financial security in the future.

The longer you have to save for retirement, the better. Here’s why you should start thinking about retirement planning and investing in your 20s.

Main Reason to Start Saving for Retirement Early

When you start investing in your 20s, even if you begin with just a small amount, you have more time to build your nest egg. Typically, having a long time horizon means you have time to weather the ups and downs of the markets.

What’s more — and this is critical — the earlier you start saving, by opening a savings vehicle such as a high-yield savings account or a money market account, for instance, the more time you’ll have to take advantage of compound interest, which can help boost your ability to save. Compound interest is the reason small amounts of money saved now can go further than much larger amounts of money saved later. The more time you have, the more returns compound interest can deliver.

Compound Interest Example

Imagine you are 25 with plans to retire at 65. That gives you 40 years to save. If you save $100 a month in a money market account with an average annual return of 6% compounded monthly, at age 60, you would have saved about $200,244.

Now, let’s imagine that you waited for 30 years, until age 55 to start saving. You put $1,000 a month into a money market account. With an average annual return of 6% compounding monthly, you’d only have about $165,698 by the time you’re ready to retire, far less than if you’d started saving smaller amounts earlier.

The lesson? The longer you wait to start saving for retirement, the more money you’ll have to save later to make up the difference. Depending on your financial situation, it could be difficult to find these extra funds when you’re older.

Though it may not sound fun in your 20s to start putting money toward retirement, it may actually be easier in the long run.

💡 Quick Tip: Before opening an investment account, know your investment objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. These fundamentals will help keep your strategy on track and with the aim of meeting your goals.

Boost your retirement contributions with a 1% match.

SoFi IRAs now get a 1% match on every dollar you deposit, up to the annual contribution limits. Open an account today and get started.


Only offers made via ACH are eligible for the match. ACATs, wires, and rollovers are not included.

How to Start Saving for Retirement in Your 20s

If you’re new to saving, starting a retirement fund requires a little bit of planning.

Step 1: Calculate how much you need to save

Set a goal. Consider your target retirement date and how long you’ll expect to be retired based on current life expectancy. What kind of lifestyle do you want to lead? And what do you expect your retirement expenses to be?

Step 2: Choose a savings vehicle

When it comes to where to put your savings, you have a number of options. For example, as of early August 2023, you could get around 4.5% APY on a high-yield savings account.

Many retirement savers also opt to use an investing account, such as a taxable brokerage account or tax-advantaged retirement savings account instead.

Keep in mind that investments in equities or other securities are riskier than savings accounts, but that allows for the possibility of better returns. Young investors may be better positioned than older investors to take on additional risk, since they have time to recover after a market decline. However, the amount of risk you’re willing to take on is an important consideration and a personal choice.

Step 3: Start investing

Once you’ve opened an account, your investment strategy depends on age, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. For example, the longer you have before you retire, the more money you might consider investing in riskier assets such as stock, since you’ll have longer to ride out any rocky period in the market. As retirement approaches, you may want to re-allocate more of your portfolio to less risky assets, such as bonds.

Types of Retirement Plans

If you’re interested in opening a tax-advantaged retirement plan, there are three main account types to consider: 401(k)s and traditional IRAs, and Roth IRAs.

401(k)

A 401(k) is an employer sponsored retirement account that you invest in through your workplace, if your employer offers it. You make contributions to 401(k)s with pre-tax funds (meaning contributions lower your taxable income), usually deducted from your paycheck. Your 401(k) will typically offer a relatively small menu of investments from which you can choose.

Employers may also contribute to your 401(k) and often offer matching contributions. Consider saving enough money to at least meet your employer’s match, which is essentially free money and an important part of your total compensation.

Some companies also offer a Roth 401(k), which uses after-tax paycheck deferrals.

Individuals can contribute up to $23,000 in their 401(k) in 2024. Individuals can contribute up to $22,500 in their 401(k) in 2023. And those aged 50 and up can make an additional catch-up contribution of $7,500.

Money invested inside a 401(k) grows tax-deferred, and you’ll pay regular income tax on withdrawals that you make after age 59 ½. If you take out money before then, you could owe both income taxes and a 10% early withdrawal penalty.

You must begin making required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your account by age 73.

Learn more: What Is a 401(k)?

Traditional IRA

Traditional IRAs are not offered through employers. Anyone can open one as long as they have earned income. Depending on your income and access to other retirement savings accounts, you may be able to deduct contributions to a traditional IRA on your taxes.

As with 401(k) contributions, you’d owe taxes on traditional IRA withdrawals after age 59 ½ and may have to pay taxes and a penalty on early withdrawals.

In 2024, traditional IRA contribution limits are $7,000 a year or $8,000 for those aged 50 and up. In 2023, traditional IRA contribution limits are $6,500 a year or $7,500 for those aged 50 and up. Compared to 401(k)s, IRAs offer individuals the ability to invest in a much broader range of investments. These investments can then grow tax-deferred inside the account. Traditional IRAs are also subject to RMDs at age 73.

Roth IRA

Unlike 401(k)s and traditional IRAs, savings go into Roth IRAs with after-tax dollars and provide no immediate tax benefit. However, money inside the account grows tax-free and it isn’t subject to income tax when withdrawals are made after age 59 ½.

You can also withdraw your principal (but not the earnings) from a Roth at any time without a tax penalty as long as the Roth has been open for five tax years. The first tax year begins on January 1 of the year the first contribution was made and ends on the tax filing deadline of the next year, such as April 15. Any contribution made during that time counts as being made in the prior year. So, for instance if you made your first contribution on April 10, 2023, it counts as though it were made at the beginning of 2022. Therefore, your Roth would be considered open for five tax years in January 2027.

Roths are not subject to RMD rules. Contribution limits are the same as traditional IRAs.

Investing in Multiple Accounts

Individuals can have both a traditional and Roth IRA. But note the contribution limits apply to total contributions across both. So if you’re 25 and put $3,250 in a traditional IRA, you could only put up to $3,250 in your Roth as well in 2023.

You can also contribute to both a 401(k) and an IRA, however if you have access to a 401(k) at work you may not be able to deduct your IRA contributions.

Retirement Plan Strategies

The investment strategy you choose will depend largely on three things: your goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. These factors will help you determine your asset allocation, what types of assets you hold and in what proportion. Your retirement portfolio as a 20-something investor will likely look very different from a retirement portfolio of a 50-something investor.

For example, those with a high risk tolerance and long time horizon might hold a greater portion of stocks. This asset class is typically more volatile than bonds, but it also provides greater potential for growth.

The shorter a person’s time horizon and the less risk tolerance they have, the greater proportion of bonds they may want to include in their portfolio. Here’s a look at some portfolio strategies and the asset allocation that might accompany them:

Sample Portfolio Style

Asset allocation

Aggressive 100% stocks
Moderately Aggressive 80% stocks, 20% bonds
Moderate 60% stocks, 40% bonds
Moderately Conservative 30% stocks, 70% bonds
Conservative 100% bonds

The Takeaway

Even if you don’t have a lot of room in your budget to start investing, putting away what you can as early as you can, can go a long way toward saving for retirement. As you start to earn more money, you can increase the amount of money that you’re saving over time.

Ready to invest for your retirement? It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

Help grow your nest egg with a SoFi IRA.

Photo credit: iStock/izusek


Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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.

SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below: Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.

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