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My Top High Yield Savings Accounts

High yield savings accounts are a big part of my personal money strategy. Stop letting your money earn pennies - these are my favorite savings accounts in 2026 that actually pay you what you deserve.

Charlie Chang
HIGH-YIELD SAVINGS A high-yield savings account can earn you $1,000/yr on $25K — vs just $12.50 in a typical savings account
MY GO-TO ACCOUNT
1
SoFi® High-Yield Savings

SoFi® High-Yield Savings

+1.10% Boost on Savings APY to up to 4.40% for up to 6 months on new accounts. Terms apply.8

  • Up to 3.30% APY² with eligible direct deposit or $5,000 or more in qualifying deposits during the 31-day evaluation period
  • $0 min. balance to earn APY
  • Open Checking & Savings Accounts with 1 Sign Up
  • Up to 2-Day-Early Paycheck3
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3M on deposits4
  • No Account Fees5 & No-fee Overdraft Coverage6
2
CIT Bank Platinum Savings

CIT Bank Platinum Savings

Earn 4.25% APY* for 6 months with $5k min. balance when you open a Platinum Savings Account

  • $5,000 min. balance to earn top APY
  • $100 minimum deposit to open an account
  • No account opening or monthly service fees
  • Member FDIC
3
American Express® Savings

American Express® Savings

Earn a variable 3.20% APY* with American Express® High Yield Savings Account

  • No monthly fees1
  • $0 minimum balance required to open account1
  • Bank on the go with the American Express® App2
  • Member FDIC
4
Valley Bank

Valley Bank

Earn 4.00% APY* with Valley Bank’s Direct Savings Promo

  • No maintenance charges
  • 24/7 online and mobile access
  • FDIC insured up to $250,000, per depositor, per account ownership
5
Chime®

Chime®

Earn 4.00% APY¹ with qualifying direct deposit2

  • No monthly fees, no minimum balance, no overdraft fees
  • Get paid up to 2 days early^ with direct deposit
  • 47,000+ fee-free ATMs~ nationwide
  • Available automatic savings tools3

How Much You COULD Make

See the real difference between a typical savings account and a high-yield savings account.

$
Typical Savings
0.05% APY
$12.50
earned yearly
VS
Representative HYSA
4.00% APY
$1,000.00
earned yearly
You'd earn $988 more with a HYSA over 1 year!

The Power of Compound Interest

$25,000 deposited and left to grow over 30 years

$0$10K$20K$30K$81KEmergencyFundDownPaymentCollegeSavingsDreamVacationEarlyRetirementTodayYear 30$81K$25K
Typical Savings (0.05% APY)
High-Yield Savings (4.00% APY)
After 30 years, you'd have
$55,707 more
with a high-yield savings account vs. a typical savings account
EXPERT ANSWERS

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What is a high-yield savings account?

A high-yield savings account (HYSA) is a type of savings account that typically offers a significantly higher interest rate than a traditional savings account. While a typical savings account might offer just 0.05% APY, many HYSAs offer 4% APY or more. Your money is FDIC insured up to $250,000 just like a regular bank account, but it grows much faster.

2 How much money do I need to open one?

Many high-yield savings accounts have no minimum deposit requirement, meaning you can start with as little as $1. Some accounts may require a minimum balance to earn the highest APY tier, but there are plenty of options with no minimums at all. The key is to start saving consistently, regardless of the amount.

3 Are high-yield savings accounts safe?

Yes! High-yield savings accounts at FDIC-insured banks are just as safe as any other bank account. Your deposits are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank. Online banks can offer higher rates because they have lower overhead costs — not because they're riskier.

4 Can I withdraw my money anytime?

In most cases, yes. High-yield savings accounts are liquid, meaning you can access your funds when you need them. Some accounts may have monthly withdrawal limits (typically 6 per month under the old Regulation D rules), but many banks have relaxed these restrictions. Always check your specific account terms.

Charlie's Top Picks

My personal recommendations for growing your savings

#1 Pick
#1

SoFi® High-Yield Savings

Up to 3.30% APY² with eligible direct deposit or $5,000 or more in qualifying deposits during the 31-day evaluation period

Learn More
#2

CIT Bank Platinum Savings

$5,000 min. balance to earn top APY

Learn More
#3

American Express® Savings

No monthly fees1

Learn More
Advertiser Disclosures

SoFi® Checking & Savings

  1. Up to $400 Bonus Tiered Disclosure

    New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.30% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.30% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 0.80% 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 9/23/26. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

  2. APY disclosures
    Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 9/23/26. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

  3. Fee Policy
    We do not charge any account, service, or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge transaction fees for outgoing wire transfers, Instant Transfers, and global remittance transfers. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.

  4. Additional FDIC Insurance
    SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.

  5. ATM Access
    We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees may be incurred when using out-of-network ATMs. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.

  6. Early Access to Direct Deposit Funds Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.

  7. Overdraft Coverage Overdraft Coverage is a feature automatically offered to SoFi Checking and Savings account holders who receive at least $1,000 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits within a rolling 31 calendar day period on a recurring basis. Eligible Direct Deposit is defined on the SoFi Bank Rate Sheet, available at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. Members enrolled in Overdraft Coverage may be covered for up to $50 in negative balances on SoFi Bank debit card purchases only. Overdraft Coverage does not apply to P2P transfers, bill payments, checks, or other non-debit card transactions. Members with a prior history of unpaid negative balances are not eligible for Overdraft Coverage. Eligibility for Overdraft Coverage is determined by SoFi Bank in its sole discretion. Members can check their enrollment status, if eligible, at any time by logging into their account through the SoFi app or on the SoFi website.

  8. 1.10% Savings APY Boost

    Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/27. Rates are variable and subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#4. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

CIT Bank Platinum Savings

*For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures
1 Platinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-ofday account balance. *APYs — Annual Percentage Yields are accurate as of July 1, 2026: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.75% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest Rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100.
2 Based on comparison to the national average Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on savings accounts as published in the FDIC National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of September 21, 2026.

*Platinum Savings APY Boost Promotion Terms and Conditions

This is a limited time offer available to New and Existing customers who meet the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion criteria.

Accounts enrolled in the Platinum Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Boost promotion will receive a 0.50% APY boost on the Platinum Savings current standard APY tiers for 6 months following the opening of a new account or when an existing Platinum Savings account is enrolled in the promotion. The Platinum Savings APY boost will be applied on account balances up to $9,999,999.00. Account balances above $9,999,999.00 will earn the standard APY. If the standard-published APY should change during the promotion period, the APY boost will move with it, offering an account APY above the standard rate.

The Promotion begins on September 29, 2026, and ends December 15, 2026. Customers enrolled in the promotion prior to the end date will receive the APY boost for the 6-month period outlined in the terms and conditions.

The promotion can end at any time without notice.

New CIT Bank Customers: This Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion offer is valid for New CIT Bank customers, who, at account opening, do not have a valid CIT Bank User ID (a "New Customer") or any open CIT Bank accounts provided that the following requirements are met:

• New customers must open a Platinum Savings account with a valid Promo Code, Boost50. The Platinum Savings APY Boost Promo Code will appear on the online account opening enrollment web page. The Promo Code must be used at the time of account opening. Accounts opened during the program period without the Promo Code are ineligible to receive the APY boost.

• The enrolled Platinum Savings account must be open to receive the APY boost during the promotional period.

CIT Bank Customers with an account prior to the promotion: This Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion is valid for a Primary account owner with an existing account with a CIT Bank User ID before the start of the promotion, provided that the following requirements are met:

• Customers without a Platinum Savings account open prior to the Promotion must open a new Platinum Savings account via the enrollment web page using Promo Code Boost50.

• Customers with a Platinum Savings account opened prior to the promotion may enroll their current Platinum Savings account into the Platinum Savings Boost promotion via the enrollment web page using Promo Code Boost50.

• Customers who are not the Primary account owner on a Platinum Savings account may open a new Platinum Savings account as the primary account owner via the enrollment web page using Promo Code Boost50.

• Accounts opened or enrolled during the program period without the Promo Code are ineligible to receive the APY boost.

There is a limit of one Platinum Savings APY Boost promotional offer per account and per Primary customer. If multiple Platinum Savings accounts are opened, only one account per primary account owner is eligible.

There is no minimum account balance requirement to participate in the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion.

Additional Important Terms

• The Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion may not be combined with other promotions.

• Customers are ineligible to participate in the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion if:

o They are earning an APY over the standard rate.

o They participated in a previous APY Boost promotion.

o They participated in a cash bonus promotion in the past 6 months.

• Custodial accounts and accounts in the name of a Trust are not eligible.

• This offer is non-transferable.

The value of Platinum Saving Boost will be reported as interest income on IRS Form 1099-INT for the calendar year in which it was paid. The recipient is responsible for any applicable taxes.

American Express® Savings

*The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) as advertised is accurate as of 10/15/2026. Interest rate and APY  are subject to change at any time without notice before and after a High Yield Savings Account is opened.  Interest Rate and APY of a Certificate of Deposit account is fixed once the account is funded.

1. There is no minimum balance required to open your Account, to avoid being charged a fee, or to obtain the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) disclosed to you.

2. iOS and Android™ only. See app store listings for operating system info.

Chime®

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. Chime Checking Account is required to be eligible for a Savings Account. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of May 10, 2023. No minimum balance required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest. SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no interest/no fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no fee service attached to your Chime Checking Account (individually or collectively, "SpotMe"). Eligibility for SpotMe requires $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account each month. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or their Secured Deposit Account up to $20 in total, but may be later eligible for a higher combined limit of up to $200 or more based on member’s Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your SpotMe Limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your SpotMe Limit. SpotMe for Credit and SpotMe on Debit share a single SpotMe limit. Your SpotMe Limit may change at any time, at Chime or its banking partners’ discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions or OTC cash withdrawal fees at retailers. SpotMe won’t cover non-card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. SpotMe terms and conditions. Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

 

 

The offers that appear on this page are from companies from which Money.com may receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Money.com does not include all companies or all offers available in the marketplace.