For the past couple of years, I've maintained this list of high-yield savings accounts by hand. That worked fine for a while, but savings account interest rates change often, and I prefer spending my time writing about personal finance.
So, now we're providing you with this tool which monitors rates from over 200 banks and displays the top 50 highest rates. These are daily rate updates to help you find the best high yield savings account rates.
Reader reviews on the best savings accounts and over 1,600 Get Rich Slowly reader comments come after the table.
See all bank rate listings
The rates on this page are current as of 17 May, 2011. Rates are low right now, but they’ll rise as the economic crisis eases. For more information about these banks, please see the 1,700+ comments that follow this list.
I’ve heard a lot of people mention their online high-yield savings account, but I’ve never bothered to look into them. It occurred to me today that it’s ridiculous to keep my “web money” in a no-yield checking account at Wells Fargo. As my blog revenue grows, I’m throwing away money by not having my savings someplace that pays. So how does one find the highest interest savings accounts?
I did some research. I googled for “high yield savings account” and “money market account” and followed promising links (and ads) from the search results. Here are the offers that I was able to find with minimal digging. All of these accounts are FDIC insured and, unless otherwise noted, can link to other bank accounts (your local credit union, for example). CD Rates are maintained on a separate page.
Right now savings & money market rates are within close range of CD rates, and companies like Everbank are offering bonus introductory rates even higher than many CD rates – without locking you in for the term of the CD. As of May 02, 2011 the Everbank introductory rate is 1.26%.
Based on anecdotes from GRS readers, the first group of banks offer excellent customer service, great rates, and a good user interface:
This second group of banks is also worth considering. They tend to have stiffer requirements, more hoops to jump through, or lower customer reviews. (Note: E*Trade savings accounts are being sold to Discover, as Joe noted in the comments, and they have been removed from the list):
The rate of personal savings has been increasing recently, even despite low rates. A reader sent in a story about online banks last November, but that discussion was specifically about customer service. I’d like to hear from people who use one (or more) of these banks and can tell me more about the features. Which one should I choose and why?
You may also be interested to learn about rewards checking accounts. Also, Canadian readers should check out this article about Canadian high-interest savings accounts.
You can use the EDIE calculator to check on which types of accounts at which banks and for which amounts are FDIC insured. Do your homework and choose an online savings account that works for you.
Have you been able to find savings or money market account rates that are even better than the ones listed here? If so, please let us know. Don’t forget to include all the details: name of the bank, state, rate, when you opened this account with this rate and whether one can you open an account online or have to come in person. I’d like to find the best possible savings account rates and money market rates to share with Get Rich Slowly readers.
So, now we're providing you with this tool which monitors rates from over 200 banks and displays the top 50 highest rates. These are daily rate updates to help you find the best high yield savings account rates.
Reader reviews on the best savings accounts and over 1,600 Get Rich Slowly reader comments come after the table.
| Institution | Type | Rate | APY | Min. To Earn APY | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultima Bank Rates as of May. 17th | Savings | 2.00% | 2.02% | $0 | SMART Savings Account - for young adults 18 yrs or younger, withdrawals prior to 18th birthday may result in a penalty |
| Bank2 Rates as of May. 17th | Savings | 2.01% | $0 | Great Rate Savings-account must be linked to Great Rate Checking account, available only to Oklahoma residents. | |
| Dollar Bank Federal Savings Bank Rates as of May. 18th | Savings | 2.00% | $0 | FreeMONEYSavings - Rate for balances below $20,000 - must maintain Dollar Bank FreeMONEY Checking or e-Checking to earn rate. Open online and mail in forms. Available in Pennsylvania, and Ohio market area. Rate collected in: 15222 (PA) | |
| Washington Savings Bank Rates as of May. 17th | Savings | 1.50% | 1.51% | $0 | Saver Rewards, tiered rates apply, APY valid for balances between $10 to $15,000 , online accounts only, requires a checking account with at least a direct deposit or 5 debit card transactions per month |
| The Palladian Private Bank Rates as of May. 11th | Savings | 1.49% | 1.50% | $10,000 | Product and rate available for current customers only |
Savings Account Rates Updated May 2011
Version of Original Post BelowThe rates on this page are current as of 17 May, 2011. Rates are low right now, but they’ll rise as the economic crisis eases. For more information about these banks, please see the 1,700+ comments that follow this list.
I’ve heard a lot of people mention their online high-yield savings account, but I’ve never bothered to look into them. It occurred to me today that it’s ridiculous to keep my “web money” in a no-yield checking account at Wells Fargo. As my blog revenue grows, I’m throwing away money by not having my savings someplace that pays. So how does one find the highest interest savings accounts?
I did some research. I googled for “high yield savings account” and “money market account” and followed promising links (and ads) from the search results. Here are the offers that I was able to find with minimal digging. All of these accounts are FDIC insured and, unless otherwise noted, can link to other bank accounts (your local credit union, for example). CD Rates are maintained on a separate page.
Right now savings & money market rates are within close range of CD rates, and companies like Everbank are offering bonus introductory rates even higher than many CD rates – without locking you in for the term of the CD. As of May 02, 2011 the Everbank introductory rate is 1.26%.
Based on anecdotes from GRS readers, the first group of banks offer excellent customer service, great rates, and a good user interface:
- Everbank Yield PledgeSM Money Market Account offers a 1.26% APY 3 month bonus rate, plus a 1.07% first year APY up to $50k on their Yield Pledge money market account. Everbank is an online-only bank that has been named “Best of the Web” for 5 consecutive years by Forbes.com and was also named “Best of the Breed” for online banks by Money Magazine. Everbank pledges to keep yields within the top 5% of competitive accounts according to the Bankrate.com National IndexTM of leading banks and thrifts. There is a $1,500 initial-deposit requirement, and $5,000 balance to avoid fees, but if you can meet that, the 1.26% bonus rate is the highest of this group.
- Ally Bank High Yield Online Savings Account offers a 1.00% APY (as of May 17, 2011) with no minimum balance and no monthly fees. Ally Bank is the reincarnation of GMAC and was rated as “Best for Savings” by Kiplinger. They have a heavy marketing campaign going right now so you have probably seen their ads stating, “You can also depend on no monthly fees, no minimum balances or deposits, and no sneaky disclaimers.”
- SallieMae Online High Yield Savings Account offers a 1.10% APY with no minimum balance and no monthly fees and daily compounded interest. SallieMae is best known for originating, servicing and collecting on student loans, and while they have a very competitive rate on the SallieMae high yield savings account, they also stay close to their education focus by providing a 10% match on UPromise earnings.
- FNBO Direct High Interest Online Savings Account offers a 1.00% APY with no minimum balance and no monthly fees. FNBO was named best online savings account by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, December 2008. FNBO has also been rated as one of the safest of the major online banks according to a study by bankrate.com.
- ING Direct High Yield Orange Savings Account offers 1.00% APY on their Orange High Yield Savings Account with no minimum balance and no monthly fees. This is the bank I chose after doing my research and GRS readers love ING Direct. Also see the ING Direct Electric Orange interest bearing checking account which offers up to 1.15% APY, on their Electric Orange interest checking account on high balances.
- WTDirect Savings Account offers a variable rate currently at 1.01% APY on all balances for first 60 days. Beyond that, accounts >$10,000 continue at the variable 1.01% and lower balances are adjusted to a lower variable rate. No Fees. FDIC Insured. No minimum deposit to open a WTDirect Account and no checking account required in order to get the high rate.
- HSBC Advance Online Savings Account offers 0.80% APY, no monthly fees, web interface. $1 minimum to open. Named “best online savings account” by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance in 2006.
- Savings Square Savings Account offers 0.65% APY, no fees. $1 minimum to open. Electronic interface only. I’ve had a couple readers tell me setting up an account at Savings Square is a nightmare.
- Presidential Online Bank Savings Account offers 0.50% APY on balances up to $35,000. Balances in excess of $35,000 earn 0.30% APY. Why rates drop as your balance goes up is a bit of a mystery. No fees, ATM access, web interface. $5,000 minimum to open.
- Emigrant Direct Savings Account offers 0.80% APY, no fees, web interface. No minimum. GRS readers like Emigrant Direct.
The rate of personal savings has been increasing recently, even despite low rates. A reader sent in a story about online banks last November, but that discussion was specifically about customer service. I’d like to hear from people who use one (or more) of these banks and can tell me more about the features. Which one should I choose and why?
You may also be interested to learn about rewards checking accounts. Also, Canadian readers should check out this article about Canadian high-interest savings accounts.
You can use the EDIE calculator to check on which types of accounts at which banks and for which amounts are FDIC insured. Do your homework and choose an online savings account that works for you.
Have you been able to find savings or money market account rates that are even better than the ones listed here? If so, please let us know. Don’t forget to include all the details: name of the bank, state, rate, when you opened this account with this rate and whether one can you open an account online or have to come in person. I’d like to find the best possible savings account rates and money market rates to share with Get Rich Slowly readers.
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