If you have money sitting in a traditional savings account, you may not be getting a competitive return on your balance.
Today, the national average savings account rate is just 0.38%, according to the FDIC. However, a good savings account rate is much higher; today’s best high-yield savings accounts pay closer to 4% APY — more than 10 times the average.
Here’s a closer look at what a good savings account rate looks like in 2026, and where to find the best rates available.
What is a good interest rate for a savings account?
A good savings account rate is one that not only beats the national average (which is currently 0.38%), but also helps your savings outpace inflation. Considering that the current inflation rate is 3.4%, a good savings account rate should be above this threshold — otherwise, your money will lose purchasing power over time.
The good news: It’s possible to find high-yield savings accounts as high as 4% APY or more.
Examples of good savings account rates
Here are a few high-yield savings accounts with exceptionally good interest rates:
Forbright Bank Growth Savings: Up to 4.15% APY
The Growth Savings account from Forbright Bank gives new account holders the chance to earn up to 4.15% APY on their balance through the end of this year. After that, account holders earn a still-competitive rate of 3.85% APY.
There is no minimum deposit required to open this account. However, you must deposit at least $1,000 to qualify for the 0.30% APY boost.
Bask Interest Savings Account: Up to 4.10% APY
Bask Bank’s Interest Savings Account offers a standard rate of 3.75% APY. However, new customers can earn a 0.10% rate boost — and all customers can get an additional 0.25% rate boost — by completing qualifying activities. There are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.
CIT Bank Platinum Savings: Up to 4.10% APY
CIT’s Platinum Savings account currently offers 0.25% APY on balances of less than $5,000, and 3.75% APY on balances of $5,000 or more. However, new and existing customers can currently earn a six-month rate boost of up to 4.10% APY. The minimum opening deposit for this account is $100 and there are no monthly fees.
latinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-of-day account balance. *APYs — Annual Percentage Yields are accurate as of July 1, 2026: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.75% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest Rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100. *Based on comparison to the national average Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on savings accounts as published in the FDIC National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of March 16, 2026.
Accounts enrolled in the Platinum Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Boost promotion will receive a 0.35% APY boost on the Platinum Savings current standard APY tiers for 6 months following the opening of a new account or when an existing Platinum Savings account is enrolled in the promotion. The Platinum Savings APY boost will be applied on account balances up to $9,999,999.00. Account balances above $9,999,999.00 will earn the standard APY. If the standard-published APY should change during the promotion period, the APY boost will move with it, offering an account APY above the standard rate.
The Promotion begins on February 13, 2026, and ends August 31, 2026. Customers enrolled in the promotion prior to the end date will receive the APY boost for the 6-month period outlined in the terms and conditions.
The promotion can end at any time without notice.
Valley Direct High-Yield Savings: Up to 4% APY
Valley Direct’s High-Yield Savings account currently offers 4% APY for new customers and up to 3.4% APY for existing customers. The minimum opening deposit for this account is $1,000, and there is no monthly maintenance fee associated with this account.
How to get the best possible interest rate on your savings
If your current savings account interest rate isn’t doing you any favors, switching to a different bank could make sense to get a better return.
Take some time to shop around and compare the best high-yield savings accounts to get an idea of what’s available. In particular, you’ll want to focus your research on online banks, which are more likely to offer high-yield options than traditional banks and credit unions.
Here are some factors you’ll want to consider throughout the process.
Annual percentage yield
The annual percentage yield (APY) of an account tells you how much interest you can earn in a year based on your balance. It’s typically higher than the account’s interest rate because it considers compound interest.
For example, say a bank advertises a savings account with an interest rate: 3.92% and daily compounding interest. The 3.92% interest rate is the base rate the bank pays on your balance. But because interest is added to your account every day, you also earn interest on the interest you’ve already earned. That compounding boosts your annual return to 4% APY.
For example, if you deposit $10,000 and leave it in the account for one year:
- Without compounding (3.92% interest rate): You would earn about $392 in interest.
- With daily compounding (4% APY): You would earn about $400, ending the year with $10,400.
In this example, the extra $8 comes solely from compounding.
Minimum balance requirements
Some financial institutions may have an initial deposit requirement when you open an account, as well as an ongoing minimum balance requirement. If you don’t meet a balance requirement, you may be subject to a lower APY or even a monthly fee.
Minimum balance requirements may not be an issue if you have a sizable savings balance, but it may be worth it to avoid accounts with higher minimums to avoid the risk of getting a lower return.
Access to your funds
With an online bank, you likely won’t get the option to withdraw cash at a local branch. However, online banks typically offer the following ways to access your money:
- Transfer to your checking account: If you’re transferring the funds to an account with the same bank, it’s instantaneous.
- Transfer to an external account: If you keep your checking account with a separate bank, you can typically request a transfer and get the funds within a few days.
- Withdraw from an ATM: Many online banks have large ATM networks, making it easy to get actual cash when you need it. That said, you’ll want to check ATM withdrawal limits to ensure you won’t have problems getting the amount you need.
It’s important to note that some banks that offer high-yield savings accounts don’t offer checking accounts or even ATM networks. In this case, the only option to get your money — an external bank transfer — can take a few days. That can be worth it if the APY is high and you’re not concerned about needing funds quickly. However, it can be risky in the event of a financial emergency.
Other financial products
While it may seem natural to keep your checking and savings accounts with the same bank, some online banks only offer savings options. If your top priority is to earn the best rate on your savings, you may not mind maintaining accounts at separate banks.
However, if you’d rather have the convenience of having your checking and savings accounts with the same bank, ensure the financial institutions you’re considering offer both.
You can also consider other financial products and services (such as loans, credit cards, and investment services) each bank offers to see if you can get more overall value by moving more than just your savings and checking funds.
Traditional savings accounts at major brick-and-mortar banks pay an average of just 0.38% APY. High-yield savings accounts, usually offered by online banks, pay up to 4.00%–4.15% APY because these institutions have lower overhead costs and pass those savings to consumers. On a $10,000 balance over one year, a traditional account earns roughly $38, while a top high-yield account earns over $400.
Compounding interest means you earn interest on both your initial deposit (the principal) and the interest accumulated over time. When a bank compounds daily, your balance grows slightly each day, increasing the base amount that earns interest tomorrow. This daily snowball effect is why an account’s Annual Percentage Yield (APY)—which includes compounding—is higher than its base annual interest rate (e.g., a 3.92% base rate compounds to a 4.00% APY).
To protect your purchasing power, your savings interest rate needs to beat the current inflation rate (which sits around 3.4%). If your money earns less than inflation (like in a 0.38% standard account), its real value shrinks over time. Keeping your money in an account offering 4.00% APY or higher ensures your money grows faster than rising consumer costs.
While high APYs are appealing, you should always check the fine print for:
Promotional Boosts: Some banks require specific actions or drop their highest rate after a few months (e.g., CIT Bank’s 4.10% boost for 6 months). Tiered Rules: Certain accounts require a minimum balance to unlock top rates (e.g., maintaining at least $5,000). Minimum Opening Deposits: Requirements range from $0 to $1,000 or more to start earning interest.
Online banks offer several ways to access your money, including electronic ACH transfers to an external checking account (typically taking 1–3 business days), instant internal transfers if you hold checking at the same bank, or ATM access if the bank provides a debit card. If immediate cash access is vital for an emergency fund, look for online banks that include ATM network access alongside high APYs.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial, legal, or tax advice. Interest rates, Annual Percentage Yields (APYs), promotional offers, and account terms mentioned are subject to change at any time without notice based on market conditions and individual financial institution policies. Past performance or sample interest projections do not guarantee future results. Before making any financial decisions or opening a new account, please review the specific account disclosures, terms, and fee schedules provided directly by the issuing bank or financial institution, or consult with a qualified financial advisor.
Manoj Sharma is a Senior Writer on the banking team at Tax Assistant. He provides information on budgeting, bank accounts, the banking industry, and other related topics. Using original data and methodologies, he helps you identify the best financial institutions, accounts, and products tailored to your needs. Manoj holds a degree in Journalism and Political Science from Syracuse University.
