High-yield savings offer zero risk
As long as you open a savings account at a legitimate bank that is FDIC-insured, "there is zero risk of capital loss," says Gordon Achtermann, a Virginia-based certified financial planner.
High-yield savings accounts are bank accounts that earn you a higher interest rate for deposits than a traditional savings account. ... The interest rate is what the bank will pay you for the privilege of keeping your money.
Online transfers between your physical checking account and your online savings account take a few days. So if you need money immediately, you may be out of luck. You can't withdraw money from an ATM or at a physical branch unlike accounts held at brick and mortar banks.
How much interest can you earn on $1,000? If you're able to put away a bigger chunk of money, you'll earn more interest. Save $1,000 for a year at 0.01% APY, and you'll end up with $1,000.10. If you put the same $1,000 in a high-yield savings account, you could earn about $5 after a year.
Interest on high-yield savings accounts and CDs is subject to ordinary income tax. You need to report savings interest on your tax return for any account that earned more than $10. For most savers, the benefits of a high-yield account outweigh any minor bump in taxes.
It all ties back to the fundamental way banks make money: Banks use depositors' money to make loans. The amount of interest the banks collect on the loans is greater than the amount of interest they pay to customers with savings accounts—and the difference is the banks' profit.
If you have any extra cash after covering your basic necessities and bills, you may want to consider putting it into a high-yield savings account. With a high-yield savings account, you can earn more interest while still having access to your cash when you need it.
Is your money stuck in an online savings account? No. Just like a traditional savings account, your money is accessible to you when you need it. With just a few clicks, you can move money in and out of your savings and into another account.
Accounts requiring a higher minimum deposit might not offer a higher yield. Make sure to check minimum deposit requirements at all institutions you're considering before opening an account. Many of the best high-yield savings accounts require a minimum opening deposit of $100 or less.
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