The best high-yield savings accounts offer annual percentage yields (APYs) that are well above average. Many of the top rates available are above 4.00%, and one or two are still around 5.00%.
Inflation rates have been edging higher and the U.S. economic outlook is cloudy. Accordingly, the Federal Reserve has hit pause on rate cuts at its past few meetings, which allowed savings account APYs to remain relatively stable. With the possibility of a rate cut coming at the Fed’s September meeting, however, some savers may instead wish to stash their funds in certificates of deposit to lock in a high APY for months or years.
But for those seeking a new savings account, Fortune has partnered with the financial industry consultants at Curinos to give you an accurate look at the highest savings account rates on the market today.
Best savings account rates Sept. 1, 2025: Earn up to 5.00% APY
Today’s best high-yield savings account rate of 5.00% can be found at Varo Money. Other institutions with very competitive rates include Betterment, Presidential Bank, and SoFi.
Fortune monitors the top rates offered by leading U.S. financial institutions to help readers obtain the best possible return on their savings. Here are today’s highest savings account rates:
FDIC average national deposit rates January 2020 to present
Choosing a high-yield savings account guarantees that you can beat the low average rates offered by most savings institutions in the U.S. The national average savings rate right now is 0.39%. This is down from 0.47% in March 2024, months before the Fed reduced interest rates in late 2024.
High-yield savings account news in 2025
The Fed’s decision to lower interest rates last year had an immediate impact on savings accounts. Average savings rates tend to follow the lead of the federal funds rate: When the Fed raises its benchmark rate, banks generally raise APYs on savings accounts to remain competitive. Conversely, when the central bank cuts rates, savings account yields decline.
Just keep in mind that while this correlation is true for average rates, individual banks decide to raise or lower their savings account APYs based on a variety of factors beyond just Fed rates. These include their own financial goals, promotions for attracting new customers, and other market conditions. Beware, banks can change your savings account APY at any time, for any reason.
Savings account rates should remain static for the moment. While the Fed cut rates at three meetings in a row from September to December 2024—reducing fed funds to 4.25% to 4.50%, where it remains today—they’ve held off further cuts through 2025 thus far. Thanks to this outlook, banks haven’t had much incentive to reduce the best rates available on high-yield savings accounts.
However, experts anticipate the possibility of a Fed rate cut at its meeting later this month. If that happens, financial institutions might decrease savings account rates accordingly.
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Why should you choose a high-yield savings account?
To be clear, there’s no such thing as a special class of bank accounts called “high-yield savings accounts.” There’s simply a group of U.S. financial institutions that tend to offer savings account rates that are much higher than the industry average. Financial experts call them high-yield savings accounts.
For example, while the average savings rate in the U.S. is 0.39%, many high-yield savings accounts offer rates above 4.00%—that’s something like 10 times the average rate.
Banks that offer conventional savings accounts with lower rates tend to have bricks-and-mortar branch networks and offer a full suite of deposit and lending products. Meanwhile, institutions that offer high-yield savings accounts are typically online banks with a very limited menu of other banking products and no access to physical branches.
People who want the highest possible returns on their savings should opt for a high-yield savings account. They often have no minimum balance requirements or monthly fees, making them an ideal choice for your emergency fund or short-term financial goals. Online banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), providing the same protection as conventional banks.
Before choosing a savings account, consider the following factors:
- Interest rates: Look for competitive APYs to maximize your earnings.
- Low or no minimums: Many high-yield accounts have no minimum balance requirements.
- No monthly fees: Avoid accounts with monthly maintenance fees that can eat into your savings.
- Accessibility of funds: Ensure you can easily withdraw or transfer money when needed—some banks have withdrawal limits and charge fees for foreign ATMs.
- Security and insurance: Verify that the account is FDIC-insured.
No matter what type of savings account you hold, you can expect to pay taxes on any interest you earn.
Frequently asked questions
How often do APYs on high-yield savings accounts change?
There’s no set answer for how often the rate on your high-yield savings account may change. In short, your bank or credit union can change it at their discretion. However, it’s typically a useful rule of thumb that when the Federal Reserve raises or lowers its benchmark federal funds rate, financial institutions are likely to increase or decrease the rates they offer consumers accordingly.
Should I switch banks if I find a savings account with a higher rate?
The brief answer is “maybe.” There isn’t a limit to the number of savings accounts you can have at different institutions. But, keep in mind there may be a minimum deposit requirement to earn an account’s max APY. You’ll also want to evaluate how dramatic the difference in rate is and whether the increased interest you’d earn is worth the effort to make the change.
For example, depositing $1,000 in an account with a 4% APY and leaving it there for a year without additional deposits might earn you approximately $39.98 in interest. If the same account had a 4.5% APY, you might earn $44.98 under the same circumstances.
How easy is it to withdraw money from a HYSA?
This can vary by institution. But in general, many banks will let you link external accounts digitally, so initiating a transfer should be something you can do with a few clicks. Note that while it’s not a federal restriction any longer, a lot of institutions still enforce the cap of six withdrawals from your savings account per statement cycle.
Should I choose an online-only bank for my HYSA?
Because they’re able to keep costs associated with brick-and-mortar locations down, an online-only bank might be able to offer a higher APY than you’re likely to find elsewhere. For that reason, they’re well worth considering when you’re shopping around for a high-yield savings account.
Can I lose money in a high-yield savings account?
Before you open an account, make sure your savings will be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) if the account is with a bank or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) if the account is at a credit union. That should protect you against losing money.
It’s also worth noting that money in a savings account is not at risk of a loss in the same way as money invested in the stock market. However, your money could still lose purchasing power if inflation outpaces your account’s APY.
Series on daily savings rates created by former Fortune editor Cassie Bottorff. This edition has been updated by Editor, Evergreen Content Glen Luke Flanagan.
