Here's How Much Money You Can Make With $10,000 in a High-Yield Savings Account
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If you're still keeping your money in a traditional savings account, you're doing it wrong.
That's because the average savings account APY is just 0.40%, according to the Federal Reserve. At that rate, $10,000 in savings would only earn you about $40 in interest a year.
Meanwhile, the best high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) are offering APYs of 3.80% or higher -- meaning that same $10,000 could be earning you $380 or more.
Here's how easy it is to make the switch today.
Earn hundreds more with one easy switch
Top HYSAs are offering much better returns on your savings, no matter how much you keep in your account. Here's how much more you could make each year:
| Balance | Top HYSAs (3.80%) | National Average (0.40%) |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $380 | $40 |
| $5,000 | $190 | $20 |
| $2,500 | $95 | $10 |
Most HYSAs are a breeze to open, too. For example, I opened my SoFi Checking and Savings (Member FDIC) account, moved my money, and closed my old account in less than half an hour. That's how easy it was to switch.
SoFi® comes with:
- Annual percentage yield (APY) of up to 4.50% on savings with direct deposit
- Up to $50 in no-fee overdraft coverage with direct deposit
- Access to paychecks up to two days early with direct deposit
- No account fees or minimum deposits
- FDIC insurance up to $250,000, just like traditional banks
Want to join me? Read our full review of SoFi Checking and Savings (Member FDIC) to learn more and open an account today.
On SoFi's Secure Website.
Member FDIC.
SoFi Checking and Savings
On SoFi's Secure Website.
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- Competitive APY on both Savings and Checking
- No monthly account fee
- Welcome bonus up to $300 (direct deposit required)
- ATM access
- Unlimited number of external transfers (up to daily transaction limits)
- FDIC insured (up to $3M with opt-in to SoFi Insured Deposit Program)
- Early access to direct deposits
- Tools to help you track savings goals
- Combo account only; no stand-alone savings or checking
- Maximum Savings APY requires direct deposit
- No branch access; online only
- Overdraft protection requires monthly direct deposit minimum
For those who plan to set up direct deposit with their new account, we think SoFi Checking and Savings (Member FDIC) is hard to beat. Not only does this savings account offer a strong APY, but the linked checking account earns an above-average rate, too -- which is a rare perk. Plus, new customers earn a bonus of up to $300 with eligible direct deposit. Frankly, it's the kind of combo that could make it worthwhile to switch banking relationships.
1. CIT Platinum Savings
CIT Platinum Savings is offering one of the stronger APYs you can find. You'll get:
- 3.85%
- No account fees
- A minimum $100 deposit to open
- FDIC insurance up to $250,000
CIT also offers a checking account you can open separately for easy access to your cash.
A 3.85% APY is super strong. If maximizing interest is your goal, CIT is hard to beat -- just be sure to keep your balance above $5,000.
To earn hundreds more a year on your savings, read our full review of the CIT Platinum Savings account now.
On SoFi's Secure Website.
Member FDIC.
CIT Platinum Savings
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- Competitive APY
- No account opening or maintenance fees
- Unlimited number of external transfers (up to daily transaction limits)
- FDIC insured
- Interest compounds daily so your money can grow a bit faster
- Balance requirement for maximum APY
- No branch access; online only
CIT Platinum Savings is a no-frills high-interest savings account that offers one of the highest APYs we've found available today -- as long as you can maintain a $5,000 minimum balance. Plus, customers can make an unlimited number of transfers and withdrawals each month (many savings accounts have monthly limits). And right now, you can also score a cash bonus of up to $300 when you open a new account with promo code PS2025 and fund it within 30 days. Terms apply.
Platinum 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 September 23, 2025: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.85% 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 September 15, 2025.
For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures.
2. Barclays Tiered Savings
Barclays Tiered Savings is another simple, strong earner. You'll get:
- 3.90% APY on balances under $250,000
- No account fees or minimum deposits
- FDIC insurance up to $250,000
It's worth noting that Barclays doesn't offer a checking account, which means you won't have immediate access to your cash. If that's important to you, consider one of the other accounts listed above.
Still, a 3.90% APY is excellent, and you don't need a balance of $5,000-plus to earn it. For a simple way to earn more on your cash, Barclays is another great pick.
Want to earn hundreds more a year without lifting a finger? Read our full review of the Barclays Tiered Savings account today.
On SoFi's Secure Website.
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Barclays Tiered Savings
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- Competitive APY
- No monthly account fee
- Unlimited number of external transfers (up to daily transaction limits)
- FDIC insured
- No minimum deposit to open an account
- Balance requirement for maximum APY
- No ATM access
- No wire transfers (inbound or outbound)
- No branch access; online only
Barclays Tiered Savings rewards savers with a tiered APY structure, offering higher rates as your balance grows. No monthly fees and no minimum balance to open mean it's accessible to everyone, while unlimited transfers and withdrawals let you manage your savings your way. And now, you can take advantage of a special offer $200 bonus on top of your savings growth when you open a new account and deposit $30,000 or more. Offer ends Dec. 31, 2025. Terms apply.
Our Research Expert
Ryan Wilcox is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, auto insurance, and other personal finance topics. Ryan has been writing about credit cards and savings since 2022. Before joining Motley Fool Money, he was a full-time writer at The Points Guy, where he focused on maximizing credit card rewards and travel strategies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and American History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he also spent four years reporting for The Daily Tar Heel. With a background in both journalism and consumer finance, he brings a clear and thoughtful voice to money topics. Outside of work, Ryan is likely reading, writing, or updating his Letterboxd account.