According to the FDIC, the average savings account interest rate in the U.S. sits at a low 0.05%. When choosing a high-yield savings account, you want to make sure you find one offering an APY greater than the average 0.05% that you would earn in a standard savings account.
Best High-Yield Savings Account Rates
High-yield savings offer zero risk
The amount of interest you're earning on your money in a savings account may decrease, but your cash will not. For instance, the money you put into a Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings or Varo Savings Account will always be guaranteed, but the account's APY will likely go up and down.
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.
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.
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.
In short, MMAs might be a better option, depending on the rate, if the goal is to park some cash for a short period, or if you don't want to actively manage your savings. MMAs provide access to your money when you need it, pay a higher rate than savings accounts while requiring a minimum amount of effort on your part.
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.
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