Latest news with #onlinebanks
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Best high-yield savings interest rates today, May 26, 2025 (Earn up to 4.44% APY)
Today's savings account rates still hover well above the national average. The Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate three times in 2024, which means deposit account rates are also on the decline. It's more important than ever to ensure you're earning the highest rate possible on your savings, and a high-yield savings account could be the solution. These accounts pay more interest than the typical savings account — as much as 4% APY and higher in some cases. Not sure where to find the best savings interest rates today? Read on to find out which banks have the best offers. In general, high-yield savings accounts offer better interest rates than traditional savings accounts. Still, rates vary widely across financial institutions. That's why it's important to shop around and compare rates before opening an account. As of May 26, 2025, the highest savings account rate available from our partners is 4.44% APY. This rate is offered by Peak Bank and there is no minimum opening deposit required. As you'll see, the majority of top savings rates come from online banks. These institutions have much lower overhead costs than traditional banks, so they can pass those savings on to customers in the form of higher rates and lower fees. Here is a look at some of the best savings rates available today from our verified partners: This embedded content is not available in your region. A high-yield savings account can be a good fit if you're looking for a secure place to store your money and earn a competitive interest rate while maintaining liquidity. Traditional savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) have some of the highest interest rates we've seen in more than a decade, thanks to recent interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Even so, the national average for these rates is fairly low compared to the top offers available. For example, the average savings account rate is just 0.41%, while 1-year CDs pay 1.77%, on average, according to the FDIC. The Fed is also expected to lower its target rate again in 2025, which means now might be the last chance for savers to take advantage of today's high rates. Taking the time to compare accounts and rates from various financial institutions will help you secure the best deal available. However, interest rates aren't the only factor to consider when choosing a savings account. For example, some banks may require that you maintain a minimum balance to earn the highest advertised rate and avoid monthly fees. Other factors to evaluate include customer service options and hours, ATM and branch access, digital banking tools, and the overall financial stability of the institution. Additionally, before opening a savings account, be sure that it's insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) — or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) if it's held by a credit union — so your money is protected in case the institution fails. Read more: How to open a savings account: A step-by-step guide
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
High-Yield Savings Account Rates Today: May 21, 2025
Rates on savings accounts are the same compared to one week ago. You can now earn as much as 5.84% on your savings. Searching for an account where you can save for a rainy day or retirement? Here's a look at some of the best savings rates you can find today. Related: Find the Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2025 Traditional savings accounts, often called "statement savings accounts" in the banking industry, were notorious for paying puny interest rates for more than a decade after the Great Recession. But you can find much higher yields now, especially from online banks and credit unions. The highest yield on a standard savings account with a $2,500 minimum deposit amount within the last week has been 5.84%, according to data from Curinos. If you spot a basic savings account with a rate in that ballpark, you've done well for yourself. Today's average APY for a traditional savings account is 0.22%, Curinos says. APY, or annual percentage yield, accurately represents the actual amount your account will earn during one year. It factors in compound interest, which is the interest that builds up on the interest in your account. High-yield savings accounts typically pay substantially more interest than conventional savings accounts. But the catch is you may have to jump through some hoops to earn that higher rate, such as becoming a member of a credit union or putting down a large deposit. On high-yield accounts requiring a minimum deposit of $10,000, today's best interest rate is 4.88%. That's about the same as last week. The average APY for those accounts is now 0.23% APY, unchanged from a week ago. On high-yield savings accounts with a minimum opening deposit of $25,000, the highest rate available today is 4.40%. You'll be in good shape if you can get an account offering a rate close to that. The current average is 0.24% APY for a high-yield account with a $25,000 minimum deposit. Interest rates on savings accounts typically fluctuate in response to other rate changes throughout the economy. Savings rates are primarily influenced by the Federal Reserve's rate moves, and the central bank has finally begun reducing its benchmark federal funds rate as inflation has fallen closer to the Fed's 2% goal. Financial institutions usually adjust borrowing and savings rates soon after the Fed changes rates. The Fed votes to adjust rates eight times per year during meetings of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). Curinos determines the average rates for savings accounts by focusing on those intended for personal use. Certain types of savings accounts—such as relationship-based accounts and accounts designed for youths, seniors and students—are not considered in the calculation. The best high-yield savings account pays 5.84% now, according to Curinos data, so you'll want to aim for an account that delivers a yield in that ballpark. But rates aren't everything. You want an account that charges few fees, offers great customer service and has a track record of being a stable institution. Savings yields are variable and can change depending on economic conditions or a bank's particular financial need. Usually rates are influenced by the federal funds rate, meaning that a bank tends to raise or lower its rates along with the Fed. Online banks and credit unions tend to offer the best yields because they can pass along savings from low overhead while also striving to attract new customers.
Fast Company
13-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
How to choose the best short-term investments for your needs
As you sift among the various options for your short-term investments, keep these key items on your dashboard: yield, guarantees, liquidity and your individual situation. The short-term investments that promise the highest yields often come with at least some risk and/or constraints on your daily access to funds. It may be that you're just looking for the highest safe yield and don't care that much about liquidity. Or maybe having ready access to your funds is the name of the game. Also think through whether you value an ironclad guarantee or are willing to go without in exchange for a potentially higher yield. Some cash instruments are fully FDIC-insured, while others are not. On the short list of FDIC-insured investments are checking and savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts (not to be confused with money market mutual funds), and online savings accounts. Certificates of deposit CDs will typically offer the most compelling yields of all cash instruments, and they're also FDIC-insured. Yet there are a couple of caveats. One is that minimum deposits for the highest-yielding CDs might be $25,000 or even higher. There's also a trade-off on the liquidity front: You'll usually pay a penalty if you need to crack into your holdings before the maturity date. The longer the term of the CD, the bigger the penalty for cashing out early. Online savings accounts If you want daily liquidity, a decent yield, and FDIC protection, your best bet will tend to be a high-yield savings account through an online bank or a savings account through a credit union. The former offers FDIC protection, up to the limits, whereas credit union accounts are insured by another entity, the National Credit Union Administration. Money market mutual funds Money market mutual funds also offer daily liquidity and the convenience of having those funds live side by side with your long-term investments. But money market fund yields are still generally below those of online savings accounts today. Additionally, money market mutual funds aren't FDIC-insured, though in practice most funds have done an excellent job of maintaining stable net asset values. Don't confuse money market mutual funds with brokerage sweep accounts, though both are offered by investment providers. Interest rates on brokerage sweep accounts, which hold investors' cash that hasn't yet been invested, have ticked up a bit recently but are still well below other cash options. Stable-value funds Stable-value funds are another example of an investment that offers an often-decent yield in exchange for not checking the liquidity and guarantee boxes. Stable-value funds are only accessible inside of company retirement plans. They invest in bonds, so they're not FDIC-insured; to protect investors' principal, they employ insurance wrappers to help maintain a stable net asset value. Just bear in mind that stable-value funds carry drawbacks. Because you can only own such a fund within a 401(k), you'll pay taxes and penalties to withdraw your money before retirement unless you meet certain criteria. So don't think of a stable-value fund as an emergency fund unless you're already retired or close to it. Honorable mention: I Bonds In contrast with the preceding investment types, I bonds are the only safe investment vehicles that will guarantee to make investors whole with respect to inflation. I bonds are Treasury bonds that pay a fixed rate of interest as well as another layer of interest that varies with the current inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index. As attractive as that is, it comes with a few asterisks. If you redeem an I bond within five years of buying it, you'll forfeit three months' worth of interest. Purchase constraints are another drawback for large investors.
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
The best places to park your short-term investments
As you sift among the various options for your short-term investments, keep these key items on your dashboard: yield, guarantees, liquidity and your individual situation. The short-term investments that promise the highest yields often come with at least some risk and/or constraints on your daily access to funds. It may be that you're just looking for the highest safe yield and don't care that much about liquidity. Or maybe having ready access to your funds is the name of the game. Also think through whether you value an ironclad guarantee or are willing to go without in exchange for a potentially higher yield. Some cash instruments are fully FDIC-insured, while others are not. On the short list of FDIC-insured investments are checking and savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts (not to be confused with money market mutual funds), and online savings accounts. Certificates of deposit CDs will typically offer the most compelling yields of all cash instruments, and they're also FDIC-insured. Yet there are a couple of caveats. One is that minimum deposits for the highest-yielding CDs might be $25,000 or even higher. There's also a trade-off on the liquidity front: You'll usually pay a penalty if you need to crack into your holdings before the maturity date. The longer the term of the CD, the bigger the penalty for cashing out early. Online savings accounts If you want daily liquidity, a decent yield, and FDIC protection, your best bet will tend to be a high-yield savings account through an online bank or a savings account through a credit union. The former offers FDIC protection, up to the limits, whereas credit union accounts are insured by another entity, the National Credit Union Administration. Money market mutual funds Money market mutual funds also offer daily liquidity and the convenience of having those funds live side by side with your long-term investments. But money market fund yields are still generally below those of online savings accounts today. Additionally, money market mutual funds aren't FDIC-insured, though in practice most funds have done an excellent job of maintaining stable net asset values. Don't confuse money market mutual funds with brokerage sweep accounts, though both are offered by investment providers. Interest rates on brokerage sweep accounts, which hold investors' cash that hasn't yet been invested, have ticked up a bit recently but are still well below other cash options. Stable-value funds Stable-value funds are another example of an investment that offers an often-decent yield in exchange for not checking the liquidity and guarantee boxes. Stable-value funds are only accessible inside of company retirement plans. They invest in bonds, so they're not FDIC-insured; to protect investors' principal, they employ insurance wrappers to help maintain a stable net asset value. Just bear in mind that stable-value funds carry drawbacks. Because you can only own such a fund within a 401(k), you'll pay taxes and penalties to withdraw your money before retirement unless you meet certain criteria. So don't think of a stable-value fund as an emergency fund unless you're already retired or close to it. Honorable mention: I Bonds In contrast with the preceding investment types, I bonds are the only safe investment vehicles that will guarantee to make investors whole with respect to inflation. I bonds are Treasury bonds that pay a fixed rate of interest as well as another layer of interest that varies with the current inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index. As attractive as that is, it comes with a few asterisks. If you redeem an I bond within five years of buying it, you'll forfeit three months' worth of interest. Purchase constraints are another drawback for large investors. ___ This article was provided to The Associated Press by Morningstar. For more personal finance content, go to Christine Benz is the director of personal finance and retirement planning at Morningstar.
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
CD Rates Today: May 7, 2025 - Take Home Up To 5.02%
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Today's highest CD rate is 5.02% for a 1-year CD. CD rates from online banks are commonly twice as high as the national average rates. CD ladders let you leverage high rates without locking up all of your money long-term. The best interest rates on CDs—certificates of deposit—range as high as 5.02% today, which is far higher than CD rates were a few years ago. Here's an overview of the best CD rates for you. A CD is a particular type of savings account that pays a fixed interest rate for a set period of time. The benefit is that you'll typically receive a better yield than what you could find from a high-yield savings account. The drawback is that you can't touch the money before the CD matures without paying a withdrawal penalty. For instance, you could lose an entire year's worth of interest if you withdraw funds from a five-year CD before it reaches maturity. Three-month CDs are a good option for short-term savings goals. The current average rate on a three-month CD sits at 1.3%, but the highest rate is 4.67%. The average rate is unchanged from a week ago. If you're interested in a short-term CD with high yields, consider a six-month CD . The best rate today is 4.94%. The current average APR for a six-month CD is 1.78%, about the same as last week. The highest interest rate currently available on a one-year CD—one of the most popular CD terms—is 5.02%. If you discover a rate in that neighborhood, you've found a good deal. That rate hasn't changed much since last week. The average APY, or annual percentage yield, on a one-year CD is now 1.83%, unchanged from a week ago. If you can hold out for two years, 24-month CDs today are being offered at interest rates as high as 4.52%. That's the same as this time last week. The average APY for the CD is 1.66%, flat to last week's average. Today's highest rate on a three-year CD is 4.27%, so you'll want to shop around for that rate or something near it. The average APY stands at 1.58%. On a five-year CD , the highest rate today is 4.26%. APYs are averaging 1.59%, similar to last week. If you opt for a five-year CD, make sure you're aware of the early withdrawal penalty. It's not unusual to lose one full year's worth of interest or more if you break open a five-year CD before it matures. The best rate today on jumbo CDs is 4.94% for a 6-month term. As with non-jumbo, various term lengths are available. The average APY for the 6-month CD is currently 1.82%. Most jumbo CDs require a minimum deposit of $100,000—and some even require $250,000. However, there's no universally agreed-upon definition regarding what qualifies as a "jumbo" CD. Some banks and credit unions slap the label "jumbo" on CDs you can open with $50,000, $25,000 or even less. Related: CD Interest Rates Forecast: How Good Will They Get? Digital banks tend to have an edge over traditional outfits thanks to lower overhead costs and the need to offer top-of-market yields to attract new customers. Take Chase Bank (traditional), Capital One (hybrid) and Synchrony Bank (online). Be sure to compare a few options with the types of banks you're most comfortable with. Other top CD rates by banks include: You "purchase" a CD from a financial institution by opening an account with a lump-sum deposit, which is your principal. Many CDs and share certificates (accounts similar to bank CDs but offered by credit unions) have minimum deposits you must meet, which typically range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Once you deposit your principal, the clock starts on your timed investment, and you begin earning interest. The bank or credit union will provide you with regular statements showing how much you're earning. You may accrue interest daily, monthly or quarterly. Try not to tap your CD before the term ends. Early withdrawal penalties can be so severe that they negate your interest and then start eating into your principal. If you want the best interest rate on your savings, CDs are usually your best bet, outpacing even the best high-yield savings accounts and best money market accounts . You will have to do without the money for as long as the term lasts; otherwise you'll owe an early withdrawal penalty. Even still, you may not be that impressed since potential investments, such as stocks, tend to outperform CDs over the long haul. Why settle? The issue is that stocks, and even bonds, are much more volatile than CDs. Stocks crashed nearly 20% in 2022, while bonds dropped 13%. Imagine a fifth of your savings going "poof" over the course of a year. Not a happy thought, is it? CDs and stocks perform different roles in your overall financial plan. CDs are a depot for a portion of your savings you don't need immediately, while stocks provide solid long-term returns. You don't want to risk cash you're depending on. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. provides you with up to $250,000 in coverage in the event the bank issuing your CD ever fails. For share certificates purchased from federal credit unions and most state-chartered credit unions, the National Credit Union Administration insures your money up to the same limit. CD rates generally fluctuate the most following the Federal Reserve's decisions to raise, lower or maintain the federal funds rate. The federal funds rate is the rate at which banks lend money to each other overnight. The Fed makes decisions about the funds rate eight times per year when the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets. Related: CD Interest Rates Forecast: How Good Will They Get? Curinos determines the average rates for certificates of deposit (CDs) by focusing on specific CDs and excluding others. Certain types, such as promotional offers, relationship-based rates, private, youth, senior, student/minor, affinity, bump-up, no-penalty, callable, variable, step-up, auto transfer, club, gifts, grandfathered, internet-only and IRA CDs are not considered in the calculation. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) You build a CD ladder by saving your money in multiple CDs with cascading term lengths. For instance, you might buy a one-year CD, a two-year CD, a three-year CD, a four-year CD and a five-year CD. As each of the shorter-term CDs matures, you replace it with a new five-year CD. Follow this plan and you'll have one better-yielding five-year CD maturing each year. If you're ever having a bad year, you could take some of the cash from the expiring CD and use it to pay bills instead of pouring it all into a fresh CD. Comparison shop to track down the best CD rates . Banks and credit unions compete by offering alluring yields to land your business, so shopping around is a must before you purchase any bank CD or credit union share certificate. CDs usually come with zero fees, meaning your money won't be nibbled at by the monthly maintenance fees that are typical with many savings, checking and money market accounts. You will likely be charged an early withdrawal penalty if you end your CD term early. Make sure you won't need access to your cash in the meantime.
