/images/2023/09/14/woman_using_laptop.jpg)
/images/2019/12/06/smart_strategies_to_save_money_on_car_insurance.jpg)
/images/2023/03/23/woman-holding-money-planning-budget-at-home.jpeg)
/authors/laura_hohenstein_headshot.jpg)
/authors/melinda_sineriz_headshot.jpg)
Add Us On Google
- $25,000 at 4% APY earns about $1,000 over one year, or roughly $83 a month.
- The same $25,000 in a savings account paying roughly 0.40% APY earns about $100 a year, or about $8 a month.
- That's a gap of about $900 a year, real money for an emergency fund or short-term goal.
- At the national average savings rate of 0.38% (as of 06/15/26), $20,000 earns $76 a year. The same balance could earn up to nine times more with a SoFi Checking and Savings account. See SoFi®'s current rate.
If you've ever opened your banking app and seen a tiny interest credit, the reaction is usually some version of, well, that's adorable. Your savings balance might be doing the responsible thing by sitting somewhere safe, but the interest line might barely move.
The main place to look for a meaningfully higher rate right now is a high-yield savings account, especially one built for online banking. Current rate-shopping data shows high-yield savings accounts around 4% APY are still available (as of 08/07/26).
The better question is how much of your cash belongs there. Once you sort bill money from savings money, you can estimate the dollars at stake and check the account conditions that matter before moving a larger balance.
Look at high-yield savings first
Start with the category, not a bank name. High-yield savings accounts are the accounts most likely to get you close to 4% APY without locking your money into a CD or putting it in the market.
Because annual percentage yield folds compounding into a yearly number, APY is usually the cleaner way to compare savings accounts. If your current account pays roughly 0.40% APY and another savings account pays around 4% APY, the difference becomes more than cosmetic once the balance gets large enough.
Online options often show up near the top because some digital accounts can pair competitive APYs with lower account requirements. But the tradeoff is real: You could be giving up in-person service, so the account has to work well for how you actually manage money.
| If you have | One year at 0.38% APY (national average) | One year at 3.80% APY (example) | You are leaving behind |
| $10,000 | $38 | $380 | $342 |
| $25,000 | $95 | $950 | $855 |
| $40,000 | $152 | $1,520 | $1,368 |
| $50,000 | $190 | $1,900 | $1,710 |
| $100,000 | $380 | $3,800 | $3,420 |
What the gap pays you
Say you have $25,000 in a savings account paying roughly 0.40% APY. Over one year, that balance earns about $100.
Move the same $25,000 to a high-yield savings account paying 4% APY, which is an achievable rate in the current high-yield savings market, and your one-year earnings are about $1,000. Same balance. Same savings purpose. A very different interest credit.
The extra interest is about $900 over one year. That's the number to compare with the effort of switching. If moving the money takes one evening and a little paperwork, $900 might feel worth it. If the balance is much smaller, the math lands differently.
Having your checking and savings accounts with the same financial institution can make money management a lot simpler. SoFi® was our 2026 award winner for Best Checking and Savings Combo because it delivers on interest and additional features.
For example, you could earn up to 4.00% APY on your savings balance with direct deposit. (3.10% APY2 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a></p> with +0.90% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts.1 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY as of 5/28/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> SoFi also offers more special features than any other account combo we looked at:
No account fees: No overdraft fees.3 <p>Overdraft Coverage is a feature automatically offered to SoFi Checking and Savings account holders who receive at least $1,000 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits within a rolling 31 calendar day period on a recurring basis. Eligible Direct Deposit is defined on the SoFi Bank Rate Sheet, available at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. Members enrolled in Overdraft Coverage may be covered for up to $50 in negative balances on SoFi Bank debit card purchases only. Overdraft Coverage does not apply to P2P transfers, bill payments, checks, or other non-debit card transactions. Members with a prior history of unpaid negative balances are not eligible for Overdraft Coverage. Eligibility for Overdraft Coverage is determined by SoFi Bank in its sole discretion. Members can check their enrollment status, if eligible, at any time by logging into their account through the SoFi app or on the SoFi website.</p> No minimum balance fees. No monthly fees.4 <p>We do not charge any account, service, or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge transaction fees for outgoing wire transfers, Instant Transfers, and global remittance transfers. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a>.</p>
Get paid up to two days early: Feel the magic of payday up to two days earlier — automatically — when you set up direct deposit.5 <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>
Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3M: Typically, single-member deposit accounts are federally insured up to $250,000. With SoFi, FDIC insurance up to $3 million on deposits is available through a seamless network of participating banks.6 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>
Open an account with SoFi here.
SPONSORED
Small balances may not matter
For $500, the gap is much less dramatic. A $500 balance at roughly 0.40% APY earns about $2 over one year, while $500 at 4% APY earns about $20 over one year.
The difference is about $18. That's something, but it might not be enough to make changing your setup urgent if your current account is convenient and the balance is temporary. APY matters more as your savings account balance grows, so let the dollar difference set the priority level.
Keep bill money where it works
Before chasing a higher savings rate, give each pile of cash a job. Money for rent, groceries, utilities, debit-card spending, and upcoming automatic payments usually belongs in checking because checking is built for frequent movement.
Savings money is different. Your emergency fund, a tax set-aside, a travel fund, car repair money, or a house down payment could be sitting for weeks or months, which gives a higher APY time to matter.
A simple split could look like this:
- Checking for this month's bills and everyday spending.
- High-yield savings for emergency money and short-term goals.
- Separate savings buckets or account labels for taxes, travel, repairs, and down payments.
That sorting step keeps you from moving every dollar just because a better number exists. Your bill money needs smooth access first. Your savings money needs safety, access, and a better return.
Screen for deal breakers
A big APY on the page doesn't automatically make an account useful. The account has to fit the way you save, move money, get help, and avoid friction.
Account listings often include details such as opening deposits, balance rules, fees, APY tiers, transfer limits, and digital access, and those details can change how useful a high advertised APY is for you.
Before moving cash, scan for these conditions:
- Minimum opening deposit: Make sure you don't have to move more than you're comfortable testing.
- Required balance: Check whether the advertised APY depends on keeping a certain amount in the account.
- Balance tiers: See whether the strong APY applies to your whole balance or only part of it.
- Monthly maintenance fees: A fee can wipe out interest on a smaller balance.
- Transfer options: Confirm you can move money to and from your existing checking account in a way that works for you.
- Withdrawal access: Look at how you'd reach cash in an emergency, including external transfers and any ATM or check options.
- Customer support: If online chat, phone access, or weekend help matters to you, check before funding the account.
The right account on paper could become annoying in real life if one of those details clashes with your habits. A slightly lower APY with smoother access might be the better fit for your cash.
Check coverage before moving cash
Safety belongs near the front of this decision, especially if you're moving an emergency fund or a large goal balance. Federal deposit insurance is the thing to verify before you send money anywhere.
FDIC insurance generally covers eligible deposits at insured banks up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category. NCUA insurance generally provides similar coverage for eligible deposits at federally insured credit unions, also up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured credit union, per ownership category.
Use the FDIC or NCUA lookup tools to verify the institution itself, then think about your total balance across accounts at the same institution. If your cash is near the coverage limit, ownership category and where the money sits matter.
Test before you move more
Once an account passes the rate, access, fee, and coverage checks, start with a small transfer first. The test is to make sure the account works in real life before it holds the money you'd actually rely on.
Move a modest amount, confirm the account link, and make sure you can log in without drama. Then watch how transfers appear, where statements live, how alerts work, and when the first interest credit posts.
After that test, decide how much of your savings bucket should move. You don't have to relocate bill money, and you don't have to move every emergency dollar at once. A gradual move gives you time to spot hassles before they become your problem on a stressful day.
Bottom line
If your savings account pays roughly 0.40% APY, high-yield savings accounts are the first place to compare for rates close to 4% APY. The gain is concrete: $25,000 at roughly 0.40% APY earns about $100 over one year, while $25,000 at 4% APY earns about $1,000 over one year.
That difference, about $900, is the payoff for choosing a better parking place for money you still want accessible. Keep bill money in checking, compare high-yield savings by APY and usability, verify federal coverage, and test the account before moving the savings balance that matters.
Would You Spend Ten Minutes for $1,465?
That's roughly the year's difference on $40,000 between the national average and the up-to-4.00% rates available now. And ten minutes isn't a figure of speech. You just provide some information, like your name, address, Social Security number, and the account your deposit money's coming from. But rates are variable and follow the market, which is why the only number worth acting on is today's. Compare the current top accounts here.
| Bank/Institution | APY
|
Bonus Offer | Open Account | Bonus Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2026 AWARD WINNER
Best Checking and Savings Combo
|
||||
/images/2026/01/23/untitled_design_51.png)
5.0
|
4.00
With $0 min. balance
%
APY
|
Limited-Time Offer: +0.90% boost on Savings APY to up to 4.00% for up to 6 months on new accounts1 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY as of 5/28/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> + $50 or $400 Bonus with eligible direct deposit.2 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a></p> Terms apply. | ||
/images/2026/06/04/happen_bank_logo_060426.png){kind=logo}
4.8
|
4.00
With $250+ monthly deposits
%
APY
|
— | ||
/images/2023/11/28/cb_G2calES.png)
4.9
|
3.64
With $1 min. balance7 <p>APY means Annual Percentage Yield. APY is accurate as of as of 09/01/26. This is a variable rate account, Interest rate and APY may change after initial deposit. Minimum initial deposit to open account and earn interest is $1.00.</p>
%
APY
|
Limited-Time Offer: Use code STACK to earn a cash bonus based on your savings balance. Earn up to $50 for $10,000, $125 for $25,000, $250 for $50,000, $500 for $100,000, or $1,000 for $200,000 or more. Visit site for full details.8 <p>New customers only. Earn a cash bonus (the "Welcome Bonus") when you deposit and maintain funds with partner banks on the Raisin platform. Customers will receive a Welcome Bonus of $40 for depositing between $10,000 and $24,999; $100 for depositing between $25,000 and $49,999; $200 for depositing between $50,000 and $99,999; $425 for depositing between $100,000 and $199,999; and $900 for depositing $200,000 or more. If the Qualifying Deposit balance declines at any time during the maintenance period below the minimum required for a bonus tier, the customer will be placed in the bonus tier corresponding to the lowest Qualifying Deposit balance maintained during that period. </p><p>Savings + CD Boost: Customers eligible for the Welcome Bonus may earn an additional bonus by opening a product in a second product category. To qualify, customers must deposit at least $1,000 into the secondary product category within 14 days of their initial deposit and maintain balances over $1,000 in both categories through 90 days from the initial deposit date.</p><p>For the purposes of this promotion, High-Yield Certificates of Deposit constitute one product category; No-Penalty CDs and Callable CDs constitute a second product category; and Savings Accounts (including Money Market Deposit Accounts, High-Yield Savings Accounts, and Rate Lock Savings Accounts) constitute a third product category. Savings + CD Boost eligibility is determined by your Welcome Bonus tier: customers depositing between $10,000–$24,999 receive an additional $10; $25,000–$49,999 receive an additional $25; $50,000–$99,999 receive an additional $50; $100,000–$199,999 receive an additional $75; and $200,000 or more receive an additional $100. </p><p>The Savings + CD Boost is optional and paid in addition to the Welcome Bonus. To qualify for the Welcome Bonus and Savings + CD Boost, your first deposit must be initiated between September 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET, and the promo code STACK must be entered at the time of sign-up. Only funds deposited within 14 days of the initial deposit date and maintained with partner banks on the Raisin platform for 90 days of the initial deposit date will be eligible for the Welcome Bonus and Savings + CD Boost. Bonus cash will be credited directly to your Cash Account within 30 days of meeting all qualifying terms. This offer is available to new customers only, is non-transferable, and may not be combined with any other bonus offers. Raisin may modify or end this offer at any time and may withhold or revoke bonuses in cases of fraud, abuse, or violation of these terms or Raisin’s Terms of Service.</p> | ||
/images/2026/01/23/untitled_design_51.png)
- Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $400 cash bonus2 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a></p> plus a boosted 4.00% APY1 <p>Earn up to 4.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY as of 5/28/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account and receive eligible direct deposits OR qualifying deposits of $5,000 every 31 days by 12/31/26. Rates are variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#4">sofi.com/banking#4</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.</p> on Savings for up to 6 months when you open a new account and set up eligible direct deposits. Terms apply.
- No account, overdraft, or monthly fees4 <p>We do not charge any account, service, or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge transaction fees for outgoing wire transfers, Instant Transfers, and global remittance transfers. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a>.</p>
- Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit5 <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>
- Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million6 <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>
-
Excellent 4.3/5
