Today's Best High-Yield Savings Account Rates: Dec. 5, 2025 -- Earn up to 5.00% APY
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The first week of December is beginning to wrap up with savings rates that still look strong. Many high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) are offering between 4.00% and 5.00% APY -- far better than the low returns at most big banks.
But that momentum may fade soon. The Fed meets next week on Dec. 9-10, and another rate cut is widely expected, which could push APYs lower before the month is over.
If you want to take advantage of today's stronger offers, now's a smart time to do it. Here are the best high-yield savings account rates available today.
- Varo Savings -- up to 5.00% APY (Start earning 2.50% APY, then qualify to earn 5.00% APY on your balance up to $5,000.00 next month by 1) Receiving direct deposit(s) totaling $1,000 or more; and 2) Ending the month with a positive balance in all your Varo accounts.)
- Pibank Savings -- 4.60% APY (No min. balance)
- TIMBR High Yield Savings -- 4.40% APY ($1,000 min. required to open)
- Newtek Bank Personal High Yield Savings -- 4.35% APY (No min. balance to open, min. $0.01 required to earn interest)
- Axos ONE® -- up to 5.00% APY (Receive at least $1,500 in total monthly qualifying direct deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $1,500)
Data source: Issuing banks. Rates are accurate as of Dec. 4, 2025.
Featured HYSA pick:
Right now, with the Axos ONE® checking and savings bundle, earn up to 5.00% APY on your savings when you meet account requirements. Growing your savings balance has never been easier. Check out our full review to learn more, or click below to open an account now.
Axos ONE®
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor- Earn a competitive APY on checking and savings
- Pay no monthly maintenance or account fees
- No cap on how much you can save
- Access to fee-free ATM network
- Extra conditions required to earn the advertised rate
- No physical branches for in-person help
The Axos ONE® bundle makes your money work overtime – all under one roof. Meet the direct deposit and balance requirements, and you'll earn up to 5.00% APY on savings and up to 0.51% APY on checking, some of the highest rates we've seen lately. There are no physical branches, but you can still access cash easily through a network of over 95,000 fee-free ATMs. It's a simple, high-reward setup that actually pays off.
*The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 10/2/2026. The base and promotional interest rate and corresponding APY for Axos ONE® Checking is variable and is set at our discretion. The base and promotional interest rate and corresponding APY for Axos ONE® Savings is variable and is set at our discretion. Axos ONE® Savings is a tiered variable rate account. Axos ONE® Checking is a non-tiered variable rate account. Interest rates may change as often as daily without prior notice. Fees may reduce earnings.
Promotional terms and conditions are subject to change or removal without notice. Incentive may be taxable and reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC. Consult your tax advisor. After the accounts are opened, the amount of incentive earned will depend on meeting the additional requirements outlined below.
The Axos ONE® Checking account will earn a base rate of 0.00% APY. The Axos ONE® Savings account will earn a base rate of up to 1.00% APY.
Axos ONE® accounts are eligible to receive a promotional APY for each statement cycle where the promotional criteria are met during the Qualification Period. To receive the promotional APY on both Axos ONE® Checking and Axos ONE® Savings, the Axos ONE® Checking account must meet both of the requirements in either Option 1 or Option 2 below during the Qualification Period:
Option 1
- Your Axos ONE® Checking account has received monthly qualifying direct deposits of at least $1,500 in total.
- The average daily balance of your Axos ONE® Checking account is at least $1,500.
Option 2
- Your Axos ONE® Checking account has received monthly qualifying deposits of at least $5,000 in total.
- The average daily balance of your Axos ONE® Checking account is at least $5,000.
If both of the requirements in either Option 1 or Option 2 above are met during the Qualification Period:
- The Axos ONE® Checking account will earn a promotional rate of 0.51% APY for the statement cycle in which the requirements are met.
- The Axos ONE® Savings account will earn a promotional rate of 4.21% APY on the first $249,999.99 and 3.50% APY on any additional balance for the statement cycle in which the requirements are met.
A limited-time APY Boost is available to new customers who open a new Axos ONE® bundle, meet both requirements in either Option 1 or Option 2 during the Qualification Period, and maintain an average daily balance of $249,999.99 or less in their Axos ONE® Savings account. The APY Boost can be earned for the first six (6) statement cycles including the cycle in which the account is opened and will be paid monthly as part of the monthly interest payment. Qualifying Axos ONE® Savings accounts will earn a 0.79% APY Boost which based on today’s rate results in a total of 5.00% APY on the first $49,999.99, and 4.21% APY on balances $50,000.00 or more for the statement cycle in which the requirements are met; rates are variable and subject to change. Customers who have previously held any account with Axos Bank or UFB Direct are not eligible, including but not limited to deposit accounts, loans, and investments. Axos Bank reserves the right to limit each primary account holder to one (1) APY Boost promotional offer under this or any other APY Boost promotion per 12-month period. In order to qualify, the account must be created from October 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026.
The Qualification Period begins on the first business day of the month and runs through the 25th of the month. If the 25th of the month is followed by a non-business day, the average daily balance will be calculated including the following non-business day(s). Any qualifying deposits or qualifying direct deposits received after the 25th of the month will count toward the next Qualification Period. The Qualification Period for new accounts will begin on the day the account is approved. New accounts opened on or after the 25th of the month will be eligible to earn the promotional APY starting in the following month.
A direct deposit is an electronic ACH deposit of your paycheck or government benefits, such as Social Security, Disability, etc. International paychecks, international government benefits, other deposits (i.e., real time payments, online banking transfers, ATM and mobile check deposits, etc.), or person-to-person payments are not considered a direct deposit.
Qualifying deposits only include deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers from external accounts, (ii) inbound wire transfers from external accounts, (iii) mobile check deposits, (iv) real time payments. Qualifying deposits do not include: (i) transfers internal to the bank (i.e., transfers between an account holder’s Checking and/or Savings account), (ii) interest payments, (iii) promotional bonuses, (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds, (v) ATM deposits.
Both accounts must be in an open and active status on the 25th of the month and on the date the interest is paid to receive the promotional APY for that statement cycle. If either account closes during the Qualification Period, neither account will be eligible to earn the promotional APY for that statement cycle. Account transactions may take one or more business days from the transaction date to post to the account.
Our Picks for the Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2026
| Account | APY | Bonus | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
On SoFi's Secure Website.
4.90/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
up to 4.20%
Rate info
Earn up to 4.20% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 9/23/26) 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 sofi.com/banking#4. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Min. to earn: $0
|
Earn $50 or $400 and +0.90% Boost on Savings APY with direct deposit. Terms apply.
Earn up to 4.20% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 0.90% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 9/23/26) 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 sofi.com/banking#4. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. |
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
On SoFi's Secure Website. |
Open Account for Barclays Tiered Savings
On Barclays' Secure Website.
4.90/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
3.50%
Rate info
Balances less than $250,000 earn 3.50%, and balances greater than $250,000 earn 3.65%.
Min. to earn: $0
|
$200 Bonus with qualifying activities. Terms Apply
To earn a $200 bonus, new customers can open a savings account; deposit $25,000 or more within 30 days; and maintain at least that balance for 120 consecutive days. The bonus will be credited to your account within 60 days of meeting these requirements. Offer ends Oct. 31, 2026. Terms apply. |
Open Account for Barclays Tiered Savings
On Barclays' Secure Website. |
Open Account for Happen Bank LevelUp Savings
On Happen Bank's Secure Website.
4.70/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor |
4.20% APY with $250+ in monthly deposits
Rate info
*LevelUp Rate of 4.20% APY applied to full balance with $250+ in deposits in Evaluation Period. Otherwise, accounts earn Standard Rate of 3.00% APY. LevelUp Rate applies to first two statement cycles. Rates variable & subject to change at any time. See terms: https://www.happen.com/legal/deposits/levelup-savings-t-and-cs
Min. to earn:
|
N/A
|
Open Account for Happen Bank LevelUp Savings
On Happen Bank's Secure Website. |
At Motley Fool Money, we rate savings accounts on a five-star scale, shown in tenths of a point to highlight even small differences between products. Accounts are evaluated across four main criteria:
- APY
- Brand and reputation
- Fees and minimum requirements
- Accessibility and features
Scores may be adjusted to reward limited-time high rates or penalize accounts with excessive fees. Our goal is to highlight accounts that are competitive, easy to use, and backed by trusted institutions. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates bank accounts.
At Motley Fool Money, we rate savings accounts on a five-star scale, shown in tenths of a point to highlight even small differences between products. Accounts are evaluated across four main criteria:
- APY
- Brand and reputation
- Fees and minimum requirements
- Accessibility and features
Scores may be adjusted to reward limited-time high rates or penalize accounts with excessive fees. Our goal is to highlight accounts that are competitive, easy to use, and backed by trusted institutions. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates bank accounts.
Why opening an HYSA still makes sense now
Even with another potential rate cut looming at the Dec. 9-10 Fed meeting, savers are still in a strong position. Many of the best high-yield savings accounts are paying between 4.00% and 5.00% APY -- a level we haven't seen in years.
But the real draw isn't just the rate. Your deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000, and you can pull your money out anytime. That mix of safety, flexibility, and steady growth makes an HYSA one of the simplest ways to build short-term savings or boost your emergency fund.
Timing, though, is key. When the Fed lowers rates, banks often follow. Opening an account now means you can still capture one of today's top yields before they start slipping.
How to open a high-yield savings account
It doesn't take long to start earning more on your cash. Here's how to do it:
- Compare options. Look for a high APY, no monthly fees, and easy access to your funds. If the same bank offers checking, it can make transfers faster.
- Apply online. Most banks let you open an account directly through their website. You'll just need a few basics -- like your name, address, and Social Security number.
- Add your funds. Once approved, transfer money from your checking or another savings account. Deposits usually clear within a few business days.
After that, your account starts earning automatically. Just remember to update any automatic transfers or deposits you want connected to your new HYSA.
How higher savings rates make a difference
Even a solid 4.00% APY can change how fast your money grows. With compounding, your savings earn interest on top of interest month after month -- quietly adding up over time.
Here's what that looks like, even without adding another deposit:
| Starting Balance | After 1 Year | After 5 Years | After 10 Years | After 20 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $5,204 | $6,105 | $7,454 | $11,113 |
| $10,000 | $10,407 | $12,210 | $14,908 | $22,226 |
| $20,000 | $20,815 | $24,420 | $29,817 | $44,452 |
That's the power of compounding -- your money growing on its own while you focus on everything else.
When you compare that to the national average of about 0.40%, the difference is dramatic. Opening one of today's top high-yield savings accounts could help your cash earn up to 10x more -- with zero extra effort.
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Sources
FAQs
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Probably. The Fed is widely expected to announce another rate cut next week, which could push APYs lower later this month.
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Yes. Deposits at FDIC-insured banks (and NCUA-insured credit unions) are protected up to $250,000 per person, per institution.
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You can. Most HYSAs allow unlimited transfers into the account, but withdrawals are often capped at around six per month.
Our Research Expert
Jake FitzGerald is a former full-time Editorial Strategist and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money. Jake led content production and distribution while also writing about credit cards, bank accounts, and other financial products. He has more than a decade of experience editing and shaping financial content to give readers clear, trustworthy money advice. His work focuses on delivering practical insights that empower people to make smarter financial decisions. Off the clock, he’s a fan of college football tailgates and still loyal to his favorite putter -- despite what his short game suggests.
Motley Fool Stock Disclosures
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