These 3 Savings Accounts Will Earn You More Than Citi's 4% APY

The Citi® Accelerate High-Yield Savings account offers an APY of up to 3.80%, which is incredibly strong for a savings account from a branch-based bank. There's no minimum balance requirement to earn the APY, and customers get access to the Citi mobile app, the bank's massive branch network, and more than 65,000 fee-free ATMs in the United States.

However, there are some drawbacks. First, there's a $4.50 monthly service fee that applies unless you qualify for a waiver by meeting a minimum balance or other requirements. And perhaps more importantly, a few excellent high-yield savings accounts offered by top-notch banks have even higher APYs, no fees, and some unique features.

Let's explore three of the top alternatives.

If you're looking to lock in today's high APYs before the Federal Reserve cuts rates again, click here for our up-to-date list of the best CD rates.

1. Best for high balances

The CIT Platinum Savings account can be an excellent choice if you have a relatively high balance. The account only requires a $100 deposit to open, but it has a 4.10% APY for balances of $5,000 or more. However, the APY is just 0.25% if you don't meet the requirement, so this account is best suited to savers who will always keep at least that much in the account.

Unfortunately, there is no ATM access with the account, but there are several ways to move money into and out of the account. You can connect your external bank account, deposit a check through the CIT mobile app, or conduct incoming or outgoing wire transfers.

2. Maximum yield with no requirements

To be completely fair, the Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier account isn't the most convenient option out there. It doesn't offer ATM access, and there's only one way to deposit and withdraw money -- via a single linked external account.

However, if you can deal with that, it's an excellent savings account for those who want to maximize yield. It has an APY of 4.30%, which is among the highest on our radar. There are no monthly account fees, and no minimum balance requirement to earn the maximum APY. Click here to learn more about it and open an account.

3. Best for convenience

I've saved the highest-paying account for last. The LendingClub LevelUp Savings account offers an APY of 4.40% with $250+ in monthly deposits. To be fair, the account's standard APY is lower, but if you make those monthly deposits, you can "Level Up" to the higher rate.

Not only does the LendingClub LevelUp Savings account have a high APY, but it's also the only one on this list with a free ATM card that can be used at thousands of U.S. ATMs with no fees.

Which is best for you?

There's no ideal savings account for everyone, but these are three excellent options (four, if you count the Citi account). The best fit for you depends on how much money you plan to keep in and deposit into the account, how often you'll need access to your money, and how important a solid banking app is to you.