SoFi Blog

Student loans: Can’t live with ’em, can’t get a college degree without ‘em. At least, that’s the case for most of us.

Despite all the negativity surrounding the subject of student loan debt, the general consensus is that it’s better to have a degree than not have one – even if you have to contend with loans in order to afford it. After all, the typical college grad enjoys higher earning potential and lower unemployment than those without a degree.

SoFi, the second largest marketplace lender, today announced Joanne Bradford has joined the firm as Chief Operating Officer.  Bradford was most recently head of partnerships at Pinterest. She is a seasoned executive highly regarded for her experience driving growth at some of the country’s leading startups, Fortune 500 and media companies.  In her new role she will oversee the company’s consumer-facing functions including marketing, business development, partnerships, and member services.

Bradford joins SoFi, ranked as one of the Bay Area’s fastest growing fintech companies, at a pivotal time in its growth.  The firm has funded more than $3 billion in the past year across personal loans, mortgages and student loan refinancing. As SoFi moves closer toward its goal of becoming the primary financial services partner for members, it is on course to surpass $5 billion in total funded loans by year-end.

“I’m thrilled to add Joanne to SoFi’s executive team,” said Mike Cagney, SoFi CEO and co-founder. “Her track record leading high growth companies speaks for itself, and we look forward to her contributions as we accelerate our transformation of financial services.”

Bradford’s arrival signifies SoFi’s commitment to build out unique channels to market and an exceptional member experience.  Under Bradford’s leadership SoFi will:

— Invest heavily in its Member Success programs that provide a lifetime of valuable support and community. SoFi’s Career Strategy division, for example, has counseled more than 1,000 members and has helped more than 120 secure new jobs to date.

— Scale its partnerships with leading employers and member organizations. Currently, approximately one in four members are introduced to SoFi through these partnerships, and that figure is expected to significantly grow moving forward.

— Accelerate its marketing investment to extend reach and deepen engagement with members, its most powerful advocates. Currently, nearly half of SoFi’s new applicants have heard about the firm from friends, family, or colleagues.

“Like internet advertising, there is a huge first mover advantage in fintech,” said Bradford.  “SoFi is on the forefront of modern money, leading the way. I can’t imagine a better place to be.”

About SoFi 

SoFi is a leader in marketplace lending and the largest provider of student loan refinancing, with over $3 billion dollars in loans issued.  We’re transforming financial services for high achieving members with student loan refinancing, mortgages, mortgage refinancing, and personal loans.  Unlike traditional lenders, our proprietary underwriting approach takes into account merit and employment history to offer unique credit products our members won’t find elsewhere. We offer individual and institutional investors the ability to create positive social impact on the communities they care about while earning compelling rates of return.

This year, SoFi was the only marketplace lender recognized as a CNBC Disruptor 50 company; it also ranked on the Wall Street Journal’s Billion Dollar StartUp Club and Fortune’s Unicorn List.  For more information, visit SoFi.com.

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Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. To qualify, a borrower must be a U.S. citizen or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., and meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. If approved, your actual rate will be within the range of rates at the time of application and will depend on a variety of factors, including term of loan, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, and other factors. If SoFi is unable to offer you a loan but matches you for a loan with a participating bank, then your rate may be outside the range of rates listed above. Rates and Terms are subject to change at any time without notice. SoFi Personal Loans can be used for any lawful personal, family, or household purposes and may not be used for post-secondary education expenses. Minimum loan amount is $5,000. The average of SoFi Personal Loans funded in 2022 was around $30K. Information current as of 2/28/24. SoFi Personal Loans originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). See SoFi.com/legal for state-specific license details. See SoFi.com/eligibility for details and state restrictions.

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Fixed rates from 8.74% APR to 35.49% APR reflect the 0.25% autopay interest rate discount and a 0.25% direct deposit interest rate discount. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 12/14/25 and are subject to change without notice. The average of SoFi Personal Loans funded in 2022 was around $30K. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed and will depend on the term you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, and a variety of other factors.

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Student debt is often a key financial concern among 20- and 30-somethings, and rightfully so. Though the data still proves that higher education pays off over time, having a lot of student debt can hinder a borrower’s financial situation years into their professional life.