Best Savings Rates Today – APYs Slip Slightly but Still Top 5%, Aug. 9, 2024 [CNET]

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Rates on the top high-yield savings accounts remain elevated — despite a poor July labor report leaving some economists to call on the Federal Reserve for an emergency interest rate cut sooner than its September meeting. You can still earn up to 5.35% annual percentage yield, or APY, with one of today’s best HYSAs. 

However, it’s worth noting that number is down from last week’s high of 5.45%, and we’ve seen more banks quietly dropping rates over the past week. So now’s the time to act to maximize your earnings. Once the Fed makes moves to cut interest rates, savings rates will likely fall too. 

Here are CNET’s picks for the banks offering the best savings account interest rates right now. 

Today’s best savings rates

Here are some of the top savings account APYs available right now:

Experts recommend comparing rates before opening a savings account to get the best APY possible. You can enter your information below to see CNET’s partners’ rates in your area.

How Fed policy impacts your savings account rate

The Fed doesn’t directly impact savings rates, but its decisions do have ripple effects. When the central bank meets, it assesses the US economy and may adjust the federal funds rate to help boost growth or slow down inflation. Banks tend to follow, increasing or decreasing their short-term rates according to how the Fed votes. 

After the Federal Open Market Committee’s meeting last week, Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that interest rate cuts “could be on the table at the September meeting.”

Starting in March 2022, the Fed raised rates 11 times to fight record inflation. However, as inflation began cooling in late 2023, the Fed paused rates. As a result, savings rates remained attractive, staying high for months.

But with three meetings left this year, some experts predict that the Fed could still make multiple cuts in 2024. And banks are already lowering APYs in anticipation. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen multiple banks lower rates on their high-yield savings accounts, including My Banking Direct — the top account we track — which dropped its APY from 5.45% to 5.35%.

Here’s where savings rates stand compared to last week:

How to choose the right high-yield savings account 

It pays to look for accounts with attractive APYs. But don’t stop there. Weigh these important factors to find an account that complements your financial goals: 

• Minimum deposit requirements: Some HYSAs require a minimum amount to open an account — typically, from $25 to $100. Others don’t require anything. 
• ATM access: Not every bank offers cash deposits and withdrawals. If you need regular ATM access, check to see if your bank offers ATM fee reimbursements or a wide range of in-network ATMs, said Lanesha Mohip, founder of the Polished CFO and CNET expert review board member. 
• Fees: Look out for fees for monthly maintenance, withdrawals and paper statements, said Mohip. The charges can eat into your balance.
• Accessibility: If you prefer in-person assistance, look for a bank with physical branches. If you’re comfortable managing your money digitally, consider an online bank.
• Withdrawal limits: Some banks charge an excess withdrawal fee if you make more than six monthly withdrawals. If you think you may need to make more, consider a bank without this limit.
• Federal deposit insurance: Make sure your bank or credit union is either insured with the FDIC or the NCUA. This way, your money is protected up to $250,000 per account holder, per category, if there’s a bank failure.
• Customer service: Choose a bank that’s responsive and makes it easy to get help with your account if you need it. Read online customer reviews and contact the bank’s customer service to get a feel for working with the bank.

Methodology

CNET reviewed savings accounts at more than 50 traditional and online banks, credit unions and financial institutions with nationwide services. Each account received a score between one (lowest) and five (highest). The savings accounts listed here are all insured up to $250,000 per person, per account category, per institution, by the FDIC or NCUA.

CNET evaluates the best savings accounts using a set of established criteria that compares annual percentage yields, monthly fees, minimum deposits or balances and access to physical branches. None of the banks on our list charge monthly maintenance fees. An account will rank higher for offering any of the following perks:

• Account bonuses
• Automated savings features
• Wealth management consulting/coaching services
• Cash deposits
• Extensive ATM networks and/or ATM rebates for out-of-network ATM use

A savings account may be rated lower if it doesn’t have an easy-to-navigate website or if it doesn’t offer helpful features like an ATM card. Accounts that impose restrictive residency requirements or fees for exceeding monthly transaction limits may also be rated lower.

Liliana Hall is a writer for CNET Money covering banking, credit cards and mortgages. Previously, she wrote about personal credit for Bankrate and CreditCards.com. She is passionate about providing accessible content to enhance financial literacy. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and has worked in the newsrooms of KUT and the Austin Chronicle. When not working, she is probably paddle boarding, hopping on a flight or reading for her book club.