PickedFinance
Comparison guide

Best high-yield savings accounts

Every account here is at an FDIC-insured bank, charges no monthly maintenance fee and paid 3.20% APY or more on the bank’s own page on Nov 10, 2026, versus the FDIC’s 0.38% national average for savings. The differences are tiers, minimums and how you move money.

By PickedFinance Editorial TeamLast updated Rates checked Nov 10, 2026

Disclosure: links on this page currently go straight to each provider’s own site, and we don’t earn a commission from them. If we join a provider’s affiliate program later, that will never change which products we include or how we order them. How we make money.

How this page was made: it’s built from each provider’s own terms, rate and fee pages and from regulator sources, all listed at the bottom. We haven’t opened these accounts or products to test them, and we don’t give scores. Every rate shows the day we checked it. Our methodology.

Quick answer

Short answer: on Nov 10, 2026, Sallie Mae’s High-Yield Savings showed the highest flat rate we found, 4.00% APY with no minimum, then Marcus at 3.50%. CIT showed 3.75% but only on $5,000 or more. Capital One, Ally, American Express and Barclays showed 3.20%. All are FDIC-insured with no monthly fees; rates are variable.

Last updated Rates checked Nov 10, 2026

Key facts at a glance

Key facts (each rate shows the day we checked it on the provider’s page)
PickProductBest forKey terms
Highest rate we foundSallie Mae High-Yield Savings AccountThe highest flat APY we found, on any balance4.00% APY (variable; personal accounts) as of Nov 10, 2026; $0 minimum; no monthly maintenance fee
Fast transfers outMarcus Online Savings AccountMoving large sums out quickly3.50% APY (variable; maximum balance limits apply) as of Nov 10, 2026; $0 minimum; no fees
Best if you also want branches or cafésCapital One 360 Performance SavingsPeople who want an online rate plus in-person help3.20% APY (variable; all balances) as of Nov 10, 2026; $0 minimum; no monthly fee
Best built-in savings toolsAlly Bank Savings AccountPeople who want to organize savings inside one account3.20% APY (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026; no monthly maintenance fees

We read each bank’s own savings page on Nov 10, 2026 and recorded the APY it showed that day, plus its fees, minimums and the bank that holds your money. We also used the FDIC’s[9][10] published National Rates and Rate Caps, which put the national average for savings at 0.38% (as of Oct 19, 2026). This page is research-based: we haven’t opened these accounts, and we don’t score them.

Savings APYs are variable. Every bank here says its rate can change before or after you open the account, so treat the dated numbers below as a snapshot and confirm the current rate on the bank’s page.

Our picks

4.00% APY (variable; personal accounts) as of Nov 10, 2026. No minimum deposit or balance; up to 6 free withdrawals a month.
Visit Sallie Mae (opens in a new tab)
3.50% APY (variable; maximum balance limits apply) as of Nov 10, 2026. Same-day transfers up to $100,000 when requested by 12 pm ET.
Visit Marcus (opens in a new tab)
Best if you also want branches or cafés
Capital One 360 Performance Savings
3.20% APY (variable; all balances) as of Nov 10, 2026. Open online, in the app or at a Capital One location.
Visit Capital One (opens in a new tab)
Best built-in savings tools
Ally Bank Savings Account
3.20% APY (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026. Savings buckets, recurring transfers and round ups.
Visit Ally (opens in a new tab)

How do they compare?

High-yield savings accounts compared (APYs as shown on each bank’s page, Nov 10, 2026)
AccountInsured bankAPYMinimum to openMonthly fee
Sallie Mae High-Yield SavingsSallie Mae Bank (FDIC)4.00% APY (variable; personal accounts) as of Nov 10, 2026$0$0
Marcus Online SavingsGoldman Sachs Bank USA (FDIC)3.50% APY (variable; maximum balance limits apply) as of Nov 10, 2026$0$0
CIT Platinum SavingsFirst Citizens Bank (CIT Bank division) (FDIC)3.75% APY (variable; on balances of $5,000 or more) as of Nov 10, 2026
0.25% APY (variable; on balances under $5,000) as of Nov 10, 2026		$100$0
Capital One 360 Performance SavingsCapital One, N.A. (FDIC)3.20% APY (variable; all balances) as of Nov 10, 2026$0$0
Ally Bank SavingsAlly Bank (FDIC)3.20% APY (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026$0$0
American Express High Yield SavingsAmerican Express National Bank (FDIC)3.20% APY (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026$0$0
Barclays Online SavingsBarclays Bank Delaware (FDIC)3.20% APY (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026$0$0

The picks in detail

Highest rate we found

1. Sallie Mae High-Yield Savings Account

Best for: The highest flat APY we found, on any balance

Sallie Mae’s High-Yield Savings Account showed 4.00% APY, variable and “accurate as of 11/10/2026,” for personal accounts. Its FAQ says there’s no monthly maintenance fee, minimum balance or minimum deposit, and no transaction fees, though outgoing wires cost $20. You can make up to 6 free withdrawals or transfers a month. Deposits are held at Sallie Mae Bank, Member FDIC[9][10].

Key terms: 4.00% APY (variable; personal accounts) as of Nov 10, 2026; $0 minimum; no monthly maintenance fee Sallie Mae terms

Pros

  • Highest flat APY of the accounts we checked on Nov 10, 2026
  • No minimum deposit or balance and no monthly fee

Cons

  • Up to 6 free withdrawals or transfers a month
  • $20 fee for outgoing wires
Visit Sallie Mae (opens in a new tab)
Fast transfers out

2. Marcus Online Savings Account

Best for: Moving large sums out quickly

Marcus showed 3.50% APY on Nov 10, 2026, with “no fees” and “no minimum deposit.” Marcus says it processes transfers of $100,000 or less to or from other banks the same business day when requested by 12 pm ET. The page also notes that maximum balance limits apply, and it advertises a referral offer: a 1.00% APY boost for 3 months on top of the standard rate when you refer a new customer (the boost is promotional and temporary).

Accounts are held at Goldman Sachs Bank USA.

Key terms: 3.50% APY (variable; maximum balance limits apply) as of Nov 10, 2026; $0 minimum; no fees Marcus terms

Pros

  • Second-highest flat APY we found on Nov 10, 2026
  • No minimum deposit and no fees, per Marcus
  • Same-day outbound transfers up to $100,000 when requested by 12 pm ET

Cons

  • Maximum balance limits apply (see Marcus’s terms)
  • Rate is variable; the 1.00% referral boost lasts only 3 months
Visit Marcus (opens in a new tab)
Best for Savers who will keep at least $5,000 in the account

3. CIT Bank Platinum Savings

Best for: Savers who will keep at least $5,000 in the account

CIT’s Platinum Savings is tiered: on Nov 10, 2026 its page showed 3.75% APY on balances of $5,000 or more and 0.25% APY on balances under $5,000, with a $100 minimum to open and no monthly service fees. CIT says interest is paid on the whole end-of-day balance at the rate for the tier that balance falls in, so dropping below $5,000 drops the rate on everything.

The footnote on the page says those APYs were “accurate as of July 1, 2026”; we recorded what the page showed on Nov 10. CIT Bank is a division of First Citizens Bank, which is the FDIC-insured bank.

Key terms: 3.75% APY (variable; on balances of $5,000 or more) as of Nov 10, 2026; 0.25% APY (variable; on balances under $5,000) as of Nov 10, 2026; $100 to open as of Nov 10, 2026 CIT Bank terms

Pros

  • 3.75% APY if you stay at $5,000+
  • No account opening or monthly service fees, per CIT

Cons

  • Even the top tier is below Sallie Mae’s flat 4.00% on the same day
  • Only 0.25% APY below $5,000, well under the others here
  • $100 minimum to open
  • The rate footnote is dated July 1, 2026, so confirm the current rate before you move money
Visit CIT Bank (opens in a new tab)
Best if you also want branches or cafés

4. Capital One 360 Performance Savings

Best for: People who want an online rate plus in-person help

Capital One showed 3.20% APY on all balances, “variable and effective 11/10/2026,” with no fees and no minimum balance. You can open it online, in the app, or at a Capital One branch or Café. One limit: you can’t withdraw from it at an ATM; Capital One says you first move money to a checking account such as 360 Checking.

If you bank with Discover: Capital One’s page says Capital One or Discover Bank deposit accounts opened on or after May 18, 2025 are counted together with your other Capital One deposits for FDIC[9][10] coverage, and Discover’s old savings page now redirects to this account. Products are offered by Capital One, N.A., Member FDIC.

Key terms: 3.20% APY (variable; all balances) as of Nov 10, 2026; $0 minimum; no monthly fee Capital One terms

Pros

  • Same rate on every balance; no fees or minimums
  • Branches and Capital One Cafés as well as the app

Cons

  • No direct ATM withdrawals from savings
  • Discover and Capital One deposits may now share one FDIC limit; check before splitting large balances
Visit Capital One (opens in a new tab)
Best built-in savings tools

5. Ally Bank Savings Account

Best for: People who want to organize savings inside one account

Ally showed 3.20% APY (variable; APYs “accurate as of 11/10/2026”) with no monthly maintenance fees. Its standout is tools: savings “buckets” that split one account into goals while interest is paid on the total, scheduled recurring transfers, and round ups that move at least $5 of rounded-up spending from your Ally checking into savings. Ally Bank is a Member FDIC[9][10].

Key terms: 3.20% APY (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026; no monthly maintenance fees Ally terms

Pros

  • Buckets, recurring transfers and round ups built in
  • No monthly maintenance fees

Cons

  • Rate is 0.80 percentage points under Sallie Mae on the same day
  • Round ups need Ally spending accounts
Visit Ally (opens in a new tab)
Best for Existing American Express customers who want a plain savings account

6. American Express High Yield Savings

Best for: Existing American Express customers who want a plain savings account

American Express showed 3.20% APY for its High Yield Savings Account, accurate as of 11/10/2026, and says there is no minimum balance to open, to avoid a fee, or to earn the APY. Accounts are offered by American Express National Bank, Member FDIC[9][10].

Key terms: 3.20% APY (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026; no minimum; no monthly fees American Express terms

Pros

  • No minimums of any kind and no monthly fees, per Amex
  • Same bank also offers CDs and personal checking

Cons

  • Rate matches Capital One, Ally and Barclays, below Sallie Mae, Marcus and CIT’s top tier
  • No savings tools comparable to Ally’s on the page we read
Visit American Express (opens in a new tab)
Best for Savers who just want a fee-free online account

7. Barclays Online Savings

Best for: Savers who just want a fee-free online account

Barclays showed 3.20% APY with no monthly maintenance fees and no minimum balance to open. Two details from the page: you must keep a balance that would earn at least $0.01 for interest to post, and mobile check deposits carry a 5-day minimum hold. The rate footnote reads “accurate as of 10/07/2026.” Barclays Online Banking is provided by Barclays Bank Delaware, Member FDIC[9][10].

Key terms: 3.20% APY (variable) as of Nov 10, 2026; no minimum to open; no monthly fees Barclays terms

Pros

  • No monthly maintenance fees or opening minimum
  • Also offers CDs from the same bank

Cons

  • 5-day minimum hold on mobile check deposits
  • Rate footnote dated Oct 7, 2026; confirm the current APY
Visit Barclays (opens in a new tab)

Also considered

Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings showed 3.75% APY (accurate as of 11/10/2026) with no minimum deposit and no monthly fees, but the page labels it “Special Member Rates” without explaining who qualifies. We left it out until we can confirm the rate applies to every new customer. Marcus, Ally, Barclays and Capital One pages each compare themselves with the FDIC[9][10] national average; the FDIC’s own table puts savings at 0.38%, money market accounts at 0.63% and interest checking at 0.07% (Oct 19, 2026).

How we chose these accounts

We included accounts that (1) are held at an FDIC-insured bank named on the page, (2) charge no monthly maintenance fee, (3) can be opened online nationwide, and (4) showed a rate of at least 3.00% APY on the bank’s own page on the day we checked. Order follows the quick picks above, not commissions: we earn nothing from any link on this page.

We didn’t include fintech “cash accounts” that sweep money to partner banks. Their coverage depends on partner-bank arrangements, which we’ll cover on a separate page.

How FDIC insurance applies to these accounts

The FDIC[9][10] insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, for each account ownership category. Single accounts and joint accounts are separate categories, so a couple can be covered for more at one bank. Brand names don’t matter; the bank does. For example, CIT is a division of First Citizens Bank, so CIT and First Citizens deposits count together. Credit union savings are covered separately by the NCUA’s[13] Share Insurance Fund, also up to $250,000.

What “APY” and “variable” mean here

APY (annual percentage yield) is the yearly return including compounding, and Regulation DD (12 CFR 1030) defines it as the percentage rate reflecting the total interest paid, based on the interest rate and compounding over 365 days. Each bank on this page says its savings APY is variable and can change after you open the account. A tiered account (CIT) pays a different APY depending on your balance. None of the numbers here are guaranteed for any future period.

Who should skip this

  • Money you’ll spend this month. Several of these accounts limit how you withdraw (Capital One has no ATM withdrawals from savings), so everyday spending belongs in checking.
  • Balances above $250,000 at one bank in one ownership category. Split the money across banks or ownership categories, or look at Treasury bills.
  • Money you won’t touch for a year or more, if you want a locked rate. A CD fixes the APY for the term; these savings rates can drop at any time.
  • Anyone paying high-interest debt. A 3–4% APY won’t keep pace with card interest.

Frequently asked questions

Which savings account had the highest APY on Nov 10, 2026?
Of the accounts we checked, Sallie Mae’s High-Yield Savings Account showed the highest rate, 4.00% APY on any balance. CIT Platinum Savings showed 3.75%, but only on balances of $5,000 or more, and Marcus showed 3.50%. Rates are variable and may have changed since.
Are high-yield savings accounts safe?
The accounts here are at FDIC-insured banks. The FDIC[9][10] insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each ownership category. Balances above that at the same bank in the same category are not insured.
Can a high-yield savings rate go down after I open the account?
Yes. Every bank on this page says its savings APY is variable and may change before or after the account is opened. If you want a rate locked for a set term, look at CDs.
How much more does a high-yield account pay than the national average?
The FDIC[9][10] put the national average savings rate at 0.38% (as of Oct 19, 2026). On $10,000 held for a year, 3.20% APY earns about $320 and 0.38% earns about $38, if rates stayed the same all year, which isn’t guaranteed.
Do I have to pay tax on savings interest?
Generally yes. The IRS[12] lists interest on bank accounts as taxable, and says you should receive a Form 1099-INT if you were paid $10 or more in interest; you must report it even without the form. Ask a tax professional about your situation.

Sources

Every source below was opened and read for this page (rates last checked Nov 10, 2026). Providers’ own pages are labeled with the provider’s name; regulator pages are labeled with the agency. Rates and terms change often, so confirm on the provider’s site before you apply.

  1. Sallie Mae: High-Yield Savings Account (salliemae.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  2. Capital One: 360 Performance Savings (capitalone.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  3. Ally Bank: Savings Account (ally.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  4. Marcus by Goldman Sachs: Online Savings Account (marcus.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  5. American Express: High Yield Savings Account (americanexpress.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  6. CIT Bank: Platinum Savings (cit.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  7. Barclays: Online Savings (banking.us.barclays, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  8. Synchrony Bank: High Yield Savings (synchronybank.com, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  9. FDIC: National Rates and Rate Caps (October 2026) (fdic.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  10. FDIC: Understanding Deposit Insurance (fdic.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  11. eCFR: 12 CFR Part 1030 (Regulation DD, Truth in Savings) (ecfr.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  12. IRS: Topic no. 403, Interest received (irs.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
  13. NCUA: Share Insurance Coverage (ncua.gov, checked Nov 10, 2026)
best of

Best online banks

Rates, fees and ATM access differ more than you’d expect between online banks. We read each bank’s checking and savings pages on Nov 10, 2026 and confirmed each charter on FDIC BankFind.

comparison

Ally vs. Capital One 360 Performance Savings

On Nov 10, 2026, both paid 3.20% APY on every balance with no monthly fees or minimums. The choice comes down to savings tools versus in-person access.

best of

Best money market accounts

A money market account is a bank deposit account that usually adds checks or a debit card to a savings-style rate. The three we picked showed 3.20% to 3.90% APY on Nov 10, 2026, against the FDIC’s 0.63% national average for money market accounts.

guide

High-yield savings vs money market account

Both are FDIC-insured bank deposits with variable APYs. A money market account usually adds checks or a debit card; a high-yield savings account often pays the same or more. At the three banks we checked on Nov 10, 2026, savings paid the same or more every time.

guide

FDIC insurance limits, explained

The FDIC limit is $250,000 per depositor, per FDIC-insured bank, for each ownership category. Using more than one category or more than one bank can legally cover far more. Investments such as stocks, funds and crypto aren’t covered at all.

guide

APR vs APY: what’s the difference?

APY (annual percentage yield) tells you what you’ll earn on savings, including compounding. APR (annual percentage rate) tells you what borrowing costs per year. Compare savings by APY and loans or cards by APR, never one against the other.

best of

Best free checking accounts

All four accounts here have no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance and no overdraft fees, per each bank’s page on Nov 10, 2026. They differ on ATM access, whether you can deposit cash, interest, and what optional services still cost.

guide

CD vs high-yield savings account

A CD trades access for a fixed rate; a high-yield savings account keeps your money available at a rate that can change any time. On Nov 10, 2026, 12-month CDs paid 0.60 to 1.25 points more than the same banks’ savings accounts.