Need Multiple Savings Accounts? Here’s Where to Bank

Online banks tend to have higher savings rates and lower fees than brick-and-mortar banks, making them good places to keep multiple savings accounts.
Tony Armstrong
By Tony Armstrong 
Updated
Edited by Alice Holbrook
Need Multiple Savings Accounts? Here's Where to Bank

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Best banks for multiple savings accounts

If you are considering having more than one regular savings account, these six financial institutions should be at the top of your list. They offer some of the highest annual percentage yields, or APYs, on the market. And none of them have monthly fees. Some even offer extra features, such as letting you nickname accounts to personalize them with your savings goals.

Compare top savings accounts
Find a high-yield savings account with a great rate. Compare rates side-by-side.

Alliant Credit Union

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

Alliant High-Rate Savings

  • Easy to join; savings APY of 3.10%

Ally Bank

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

Ally Online Savings Account

  • 24/7 customer support; savings APY of 3.60%

Barclays

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

Barclays Online Savings Account

  • Savings APY of 3.60% with a minimum account balance of $0 to earn APY

Capital One 360

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

Capital One 360 Performance Savings Account

  • Branch access; savings APY of 3.40%

Discover Bank

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

Discover Online Savings Account

  • No excessive withdrawal fees; savings APY of 3.60%

Synchrony Bank

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

Synchrony High-Yield Savings Account

  • No minimum balance requirement; APY of 4.00%

» Can’t find what you’re looking for? See more of our favorite high-yield savings accounts.

If you’re serious about making the most of multiple savings accounts, we recommend going with one of these options. Looking elsewhere can’t hurt, as long as you keep these four tips in mind:

1. Avoid monthly maintenance fees

Using multiple savings accounts can be less of a bonus and more of a costly burden if you’re hit with monthly maintenance fees. If a savings account has monthly surcharges, look for ways to get them waived. That might include keeping balances above a certain dollar amount or scheduling automatic transfers to savings.

2. Lock in strong rates

Avoiding monthly fees should be a priority, and securing a competitive rate should be, too. Online banks and credit unions tend to offer higher APYs than traditional brick-and-mortar banks, which makes them ideal for multiple savings accounts.

Look at it this way: Keeping $10,000 at a bank that offers a 0.01% APY would earn an annual yield of just a dollar. An APY of 2%, on the other hand, would earn about $200 — not enough to get rich, but a welcome addition to an emergency fund.

» Need an emergency fund? Here’s how to start one

3. Use nicknames to personalize accounts

Some banks and credit unions listed above let people nickname their accounts based on their savings goals. You can name these accounts whatever you’d like, but we recommend keeping it simple: “vacation fund,” “emergency fund,” “new dishwasher fund.”

SoFi logo
Learn More

Member FDIC

SoFi Checking and Savings

SoFi logo
APY

4.00%

Min. balance for APY

$0

Marcus by Goldman Sachs logo
Learn More

Member FDIC

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Online Savings Account

Marcus by Goldman Sachs logo
APY

3.75%

Min. balance for APY

$0

CIT Bank logo
Learn More

Member FDIC

CIT Bank Platinum Savings

CIT Bank logo
APY

4.40%

Min. balance for APY

$5,000

4. Be aware of limits

Banks and credit unions generally limit the number of savings accounts people can have, though our favorites often let you open more than 15. Policies vary from bank to bank.

Some banks limit savings account customers to six withdrawals a month per account, not including ATM or in-person withdrawals.

No matter how many savings accounts you have, make sure you won’t get hit with fees for excessive withdrawals. A federal banking rule — called Regulation D — used to limit savings account customers to six such transactions a month per account, not including ATM or in-person withdrawals. The rule was relaxed because of the pandemic, but banks could still charge for excessive transactions. Know your bank’s policy before moving your money.

» Looking for savings options that don’t limit withdrawals? See how cash management accounts compare with high-yield savings accounts

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to where you should open multiple savings accounts. But by exploring your options and keeping the above tips in mind, you can set yourself up for success.

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