Varo Bank integrates Upside to drive debit card engagement and expand cash back benefits. The integration gives Varo customers access to personalized cash back offers on fuel, groceries, and dining April 6, 2026 WASHINGTON, D.C., April 6, 2026 - Upside, a leading digital marketplace dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses financially, today announced a strategic partnership with Varo Bank, the first nationally chartered all-digital consumer bank in the U.S. Through this integration, Upside's cash back offers will be available directly to Varo's customers via its banking app. "Helping customers make progress with their money is at the center of everything we build because Varo is a bank that puts more money into our customers' pockets when they need it," said Wajiha Ahmed, Head of Cashback and Engagement at Varo Bank. "Embedding Upside in the Varo app gives people a simple way to get more from their everyday purchases, with relevant offers in categories such as fuel, groceries and dining. It's a seamless way to deliver meaningful value without adding complexity." The partnership also expands how consumers discover Upside retail partners, introducing the marketplace to more customers through the Varo app. "Mobile banking partners like Varo are an important part of how we scale demand for the retailers we serve," said Chad Crutchfield, Head Of Strategic Partnerships at Upside. "By embedding Upside within banking apps, we increase card engagement for our partners and deliver new, incremental traffic to brick-and-mortar businesses." Varo joins a growing ecosystem of financial partners using Upside to connect cardholders with brick-and-mortar retailers in categories such as fuel, grocery, and restaurants. As distribution expands, the marketplace becomes more valuable for both retailers seeking efficient customer acquisition and consumers looking to get more from their everyday spending. Learn more about Upside's partnerships at upside.com/partnerships. ABOUT UPSIDE Upside is a digital marketplace that connects millions of consumers with brick-and-mortar retailers nationwide. Since 2016, Upside's personalized offers have empowered individuals to gain greater purchasing power for their essential needs while helping businesses achieve measurable profits. Billions of dollars in commerce run through the Upside platform annually, directly benefiting retailers, consumers, and sustainability initiatives. For more information, visit www.upside.com. ABOUT VARO BANK Varo Bank is the first nationally chartered all-digital consumer bank in the U.S., built from the ground up with a focus on the needs of everyday Americans. From credit building to savings to faster payments, Varo has a complete solution to help people make progress in their financial lives. Varo combines the capabilities and nimbleness of a technology company with the security and oversight of a regulated financial institution, enabling agile product design that provides technology-first solutions such as Varo Believe, a secured card to help build credit; Varo Advance, to help stretch hard-earned dollars between paychecks; and a high-yield savings account, offering one of the nation's highest APYs. Varo has been named as one of the Inc. 5000's 2025 fastest growth companies in the U.S., CNBC's 2023-2025 list of the World's Top Fintech Companies, one of Forbes' World's Best Banks, and Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies. For more information on Varo Advance, Varo Believe, and other offerings such as Perks, visit www.varomoney.com, like Varo Bank on Facebook, and follow Upside on Instagram, TikTok, and X @varobank. (C) 2026 Varo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Contact the press team. Reach out and its press team will be in touch Last possible date for an interview or receipt of content/image/etc.

How to make $500 fast: best banking & investment sign-up bonuses (2026 guide). If you are looking for a way to make $500 fast without a second job or a side hustle that takes months to scale, the secret is already in your pocket. In 2026, traditional and digital banks are fighting harder than ever for new users. To win you over, they are offering massive "Customer Acquisition" bonuses. At Hustle Plugged, hustleplugged has tested these platforms. You aren't just "earning points" - you are moving money you already have into accounts that pay you to be there. By stacking the right offers, you can easily clear $500 in 30 days. Quick requirements before you start. To claim these bonuses, you generally need the following: * A smartphone and a valid U.S. Social Security Number (SSN). * A small "seed" amount of money (usually $50-$500) to move between accounts. * The ability to receive a direct deposit (for the largest bonuses). 1. The "heavy hitters": Chime & Varo ($200 total). These two banks offer the highest "effort-to-reward" ratio. They are the foundation of your $500 goal. Chime - $100 sign-up bonus. Chime remains one of the most popular banking apps because of its simplicity. * The Deal: Receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within 45 days of opening your account. * The Reward: $100 instant credit. * Pro-Tip: Once you have the account, use the SpotMe feature. It allows you to overdraft up to $200 with no fees - a lifesaver if you're in a pinch before payday. Varo - $100 sign-up bonus. Varo is a direct competitor to Chime and offers a similar, high-value incentive. * The Deal: Spend $20 using your Varo debit card AND receive total direct deposits of $500 or more within the first 30 days. * The Reward: $100. * Why hustleplugged love it: Varo has no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements, making it a "risk-free" way to grab an extra hundred bucks. 2. The "low deposit" Wins: SoFi & OnePay ($125 total). If you don't have a large direct deposit ready, these apps allow you to trigger bonuses with much smaller amounts of money. SoFi banking & Investing - $75 total. * The Banking Side ($25): Open a SoFi Checking & Savings account and deposit at least $50. You'll see a $25 bonus hit your account shortly after. * The Investing Side ($50): Fund a new active brokerage account with at least $10. SoFi will give you $50 in free stock. * Hustle Plugged Verdict: SoFi also offers a 4.60% APY on savings, which is significantly higher than big-name banks. It's a great place to park your $500 once you've earned it. OnePay - $50 "cash+" Bonus. OnePay is a newer addition to its directory, and their current promotion is one of the easiest to complete. * The Deal: Open an account and activate the "Cash+" feature. * The Reward: $50. * Note: This offer is time-sensitive (currently valid through mid-2026), so move quickly on this one. 3. The "wildcards": robinhood & Aven ($175+ variable). Robinhood - free stock (up to $200). Robinhood started the "free stock" trend, and they are still the most reliable at it. * The Deal: Link your bank account (you don't even have to trade!). * The Reward: One share of free stock valued between $5 and $200. * The Strategy: Most people get a stock worth $10-$15, but there is a legitimate chance to hit a "Big Tech" stock like Apple or Google worth much more. Aven advisor - $5 bonus. This is the "easiest five dollars in the world." * The Deal: Download the Aven app and link a valid bank account to check your "financial health" score. * The Reward: $5. * The Referral Bonus: Once you're in, you can "spin the wheel" for every friend you refer, earning anywhere from $1 to $100 per person. Use code JADE22234 to ensure the bonus triggers. Final expert Advice: don't get "clawed back" Banks offer these bonuses to gain long-term customers. If you open an account, take the $100, and close it the next day, they may "claw back" (charge you) for the bonus. Its Advice: Keep these accounts active for at least 90 days. Use the debit cards for small purchases (like a pack of gum) once a month to show the account is "active." After 90 days, you are free to move your money elsewhere! Ready to start? Head over to its Money Making Apps Directory to get the direct download links and current referral codes for all the apps mentioned above!

Pinwheel, a fintech specialising in account activation solutions, has launched its Switch Kit with Varo Bank, combining direct deposit switching with bill payment management. The solution emerged from beta testing throughout 2025 after Pinwheel announced development of its bill solution suite in late 2024. During a three-month pilot, 40% of Varo users who linked external accounts proceeded to switch at least one recurring bill, transitioning an average of two bills to their Varo account. Varo, the first nationally chartered all-digital US consumer bank, has used Pinwheel's deposit switch technology since 2021. The Switch Kit addresses consumers' primary concerns about switching banks: direct deposit transitions and missing critical payments. Varo reports that customers using Pinwheel maintain higher account balances and demonstrate greater engagement.