Twelve nationally-available accounts, ranked by APY. Every figure sourced and dated.
| Account | APY | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Go2bank | up to 4.50% | Vault balances up to $5,000; checking account active and in good standing |
| Elevault | 4.34% | No minimum balance or requirements |
| NexBank via Raisin | 4.25% | $1 minimum; rate guaranteed 60 days from funds posting |
| E*TRADE Premium Savings | 4.25% | $0 minimum; rate guaranteed 6 months |
| Pibank | 4.25% | $0 minimum to open or earn |
| Axos ONE | up to 4.21% | $1,500+ monthly direct deposits and $1,500 avg. daily balance |
| Happen Bank LevelUp | 4.20% | $250+ in monthly deposits for top rate |
| Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $100 minimum to open; no minimum balance |
| SoFi Savings | 4.20% | Direct deposit or $5,000 monthly deposits required |
| CIT Bank Platinum | 4.10% | $5,000+ balance; top rate valid first six months |
| Vio Bank | 4.01% | $100 to open; no balance cap |
| Bread Savings | 4.00% | $100 to open; no minimum |
The headline APY is only half the story. Check balance caps, direct-deposit requirements, and how long a promotional rate lasts.
Non-negotiable. FDIC (banks) or NCUA (credit unions) protects up to $250,000 per depositor.
The best accounts charge no monthly fee. A fee that eats your interest defeats the purpose.
A savings account — usually from an online bank — that pays an APY many times the national average. As of September 2026 the FDIC national average is 0.38%, while top high-yield accounts pay 4.00%–4.50%.
Yes, when held at an FDIC-insured bank (or NCUA-insured credit union), deposits are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution. Confirm insurance before opening.
Some accounts pay the headline APY only if you meet conditions — e.g. Go2bank's 4.50% applies to vault balances up to $5,000 with an active checking account, and Axos ONE's 4.21% requires qualifying direct deposits. The table above lists each condition.
At its September 2026 meeting the Fed raised rates 25bp — its first hike since 2023 — with most officials expecting at least one more increase this year (WSJ). Online banks usually follow Fed moves within weeks, but no outcome is guaranteed.
Weekly. Every table carries its verification date, and stale tables are re-checked against the issuing banks' own pages and major rate publishers.
Sources: Motley Fool savings-rate tables (Sept 29–30, 2026); WSJ Buyside high-yield savings tables (Sept 29, 2026); FDIC national average via WSJ.