What to know about savings accounts
A savings account is an account at a bank, credit union or nonbank provider that typically earns interest. The money in a savings account is federally insured. It is typically not used for everyday spending, but is a place where your savings can grow over time.
How to choose the best savings accounts
Look for savings accounts that offer strong yields. You want one that is well above the national average rate, which is currently only 0.47%. To compare, some of the best savings accounts today earn above 5%.
Find a savings account that will not charge you a monthly fee. Many top savings accounts, particularly those available online, have no monthly maintenance fees or minimum deposit requirements.
Check to make sure the account is federally insured. This way, your money is protected if the financial institution fails.
What’s the difference when NerdWallet notes “Member FDIC” vs. “funds insured by FDIC” on savings accounts?
When we describe a savings account that is offered by a bank, we note “Member FDIC,” since the bank is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the account is federally insured. If a financial technology company — not a bank — offers a savings account, it typically partners with a bank that is an FDIC member to hold the funds so deposits can be insured. In those cases, we note “funds insured by the FDIC.” Savings accounts at credit unions are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration, so we note “funds insured by the NCUA.”
What to know about the best savings rates
The best savings rates can help your bank balance grow faster over time compared to average-rate savings accounts. NerdWallet regularly evaluates online and brick-and-mortar financial institutions to determine the best savings accounts that can offer you high yields.
Benefits of the best savings rates
The best savings rates are much higher than the national average rate, which is just 0.47%. And money in a high interest rate savings account grows more quickly over time. A deposit of $10,000 would earn about $40 after a year in an account with a 0.40% APY. But that same deposit would earn about $500 in an account with a 5% APY.
Here's how to choose the highest interest rates
Look for accounts that have the highest APY. Some accounts require deposit minimums to get the best yields. Others might charge monthly fees if the balance falls below a certain amount. If possible, choose an account that minimizes charges. Fees cancel out the benefits of high interest rates.
» Find high rates across checking, savings and other accounts in NerdWallet's list of high-interest accounts.
Where can I earn the most interest on my money?
Online banks and nonbank providers (often apps that partner with a bank for FDIC coverage) tend to offer higher interest rates than traditional brick-and-mortar banks. Rates can go up or down at any time, however, and some institutions have been lowering their APYs to reflect market conditions. Keep a close eye on NerdWallet's list of the best online savings account interest rates to monitor these changes.
Why you earn interest on savings accounts
You earn interest from a savings account because the institution is paying you to lend it money. Your funds are used in its loans to other customers. Credit unions have a similar process, but they call interest “dividends.”
Full list of editorial picks: best savings rates
Here are all of NerdWallet's picks for the best savings account interest rates. The overall rating includes multiple data points, including savings account features, customer service and app store ratings.
Affirm, 4.35% APY (read full review), funds insured by FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
American Express, 4.30% APY (annual percentage yield) as of 04/09/2024, (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
Barclays, 4.35% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
Bask Bank, 5.10% APY, (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
BMO Alto, 5.10% APY (read full review), funds insured by FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.
Bread Savings, 5.15% APY (read full review), Member FDIC.* NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.
*Bread Savings disclosure
Bread Savings says: All Bread Savings APYs are accurate as of 01/18/2024. APYs are subject to change at any time without notice. Offers apply to personal accounts only. Fees may reduce earnings. For high-yield savings accounts, a minimum of $100 is required and must be deposited in a single transaction. For high-yield savings accounts, the rate may change after the account is opened.
BrioDirect, 5.35% APY (read full review), funds insured by FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 3.5 stars.
Capital One 360, 4.25% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.
CIBC U.S., 5.01% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 3.5 stars.
CIT Bank, 5.05% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
Citibank, 4.45% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
Citizens, 4.50% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
ConnectOne Bank, 4.60% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 3.5 stars.
EverBank (formerly TIAA Bank), 5.15% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.
First Foundation Bank, 4.90% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 3.5 stars.
Go2bank, 4.50% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
Ivy Bank, 5.30% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
Jenius Bank, 5.25% APY (read full review), funds insured by FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.
Laurel Road, 5.00% APY (read full review), funds insured by FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.
LendingClub, 5.00% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.
Live Oak Bank, 4.40% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
Marcus, 4.40% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.
One, 5.00% APY (read full review), funds insured by FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 5.0 stars.
Popular Direct, 5.15% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
Quontic Bank, 4.50% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
Salem Five Direct, 5.01% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
Sallie Mae, 4.50% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
SoFi, 4.60% APY (variable and subject to change, read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 5.0 stars.
Synchrony, 4.75% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.
TAB Bank, 5.27% APY (read full review), Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.
UFB Direct, 5.25% APY, Member FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.Editor's note: Over the past year, NerdWallet readers have described delays in getting issues resolved through customer support. These complaints don't factor into UFB Direct's star ratings. Please read the full review for more details.
Upgrade, 5.21% APY (read full review), funds insured by FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.5 stars.
Zynlo, 5.00% APY (read full review), funds insured by FDIC. NerdWallet overall institution rating: 4.0 stars.
