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Standout High-Yield Savings Accounts
You could earn thousands with a high-yield savings account!
Earnings after 5 years, $10K initial deposit.
| Bank/institution | NerdWallet rating | APY | Bonus | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.5/5 | Up to 4.10% With $5,000 min. balance for APY | 0.35% APY Boost Earn up to 4.10% APY for 6 months on balances of $5,000 or more. Terms apply. | Learn moreon partner's site at CIT Bank, Member FDIC | |
5.0/5 | 3.90% With $0 min. balance for APY | N/A | Learn moreon partner's site at EverBank, N.A., Member FDIC | |
4.3/5 | Up to 3.75% With $0.01 min. balance for APY | N/A | Learn moreon partner's site at Chime® | |
4.5/5 | Up to 4.15% With $1,000 min. balance for APY | 0.30% APY Boost New customers: APY boost thru 12/31/26 on standard 3.85% APY w/min. balance. Terms apply. | Learn moreon partner's site at Forbright Bank, Member FDIC |
Learn moreon partner's siteat CIT Bank, Member FDICNerdWallet rating4.5/5Learn moreon partner's siteat CIT Bank, Member FDICAPY
Up to 4.10%
With $5,000 min. balance for APY
Bonus
0.35% APY Boost
Earn up to 4.10% APY for 6 months on balances of $5,000 or more. Terms apply.
Learn moreon partner's siteat EverBank, N.A., Member FDICNerdWallet rating5.0/5Learn moreon partner's siteat EverBank, N.A., Member FDICAPY
3.90%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Learn moreon partner's siteat Chime®NerdWallet rating4.3/5Learn moreon partner's siteat Chime®APY
Up to 3.75%
With $0.01 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Learn moreon partner's siteat Forbright Bank, Member FDICNerdWallet rating4.5/5Learn moreon partner's siteat Forbright Bank, Member FDICAPY
Up to 4.15%
With $1,000 min. balance for APY
Bonus
0.30% APY Boost
New customers: APY boost thru 12/31/26 on standard 3.85% APY w/min. balance. Terms apply.
Building an emergency fund
Emergency funds don’t get enough credit. They’re useful to literally everyone and protect you from falling into debt when life happens. Think: blown transmission, a surprise vet bill or even losing a job. Experts recommend having 3-6 months of living expenses in your fund. And because the money needs to be available at last notice — but might sit around for quite a while — a high-interest savings account is one of the best accounts you can use.
Why online banks dominate the list
The two most important factors for virtually every bank-shopper are APYs and maintenance fees (since they have the biggest impact on your bottom line). And, as it happens, online banks are offering massive APYs — as much as 10x the average APY** — plus, they also offer rock-bottom maintenance fees.
**10x more interest based on the national average annual percentage yield ("APY") of 0.38% (as reported by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as of June 15, 2026) as compared to online banks with interest-bearing savings account APYs of 0.40% or more. Estimated annual earnings result assumes principal and interest remain on deposit for one year and interest rates and APY do not change. Estimated annual earnings are for informational purposes only. Interest rates and APY are subject to change and specific results cannot be guaranteed.
*The national average annual percentage yield ("APY") is listed as 0.38% as reported by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as of June 15, 2026
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Standout High-Yield Savings Accounts
- CIT Bank Platinum Savings: Up to 4.10% APY
- EverBank Performance® Savings: 3.90% APY
- Chime High Yield Savings: Up to 3.75% APY
- Forbright Bank Growth Savings: Up to 4.15% APY