Today's Best High-Yield Savings Account Rates: Sept. 16, 2025 -- Earn up to 5.00% APY
Image source: Getty Images
As mid-September arrives, savers are still in a strong position. Many high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) are paying between 4.00% and 5.00% APY -- far above the low returns at most big banks.
That window could close soon, however. The Fed meeting concludes tomorrow, and a rate cut is widely expected. If that happens, today's higher yields may not be around much longer.
If you've been waiting to open an HYSA, now could be your last chance for a while to glimpse APYs of this caliber. Here are today's best high-yield savings account offers.
- Varo Savings -- up to 5.00% APY (Max APY on up to $5,000, 2.50% APY after)
- Pibank Savings -- 4.60% APY (No min. balance)
- Elevault -- 4.60% APY (No min. balance. Balances over $250,000 do not earn interest)
- Presidential Bank Advantage Savings -- 4.50% APY ($5,000 min. to open, terms apply)
- Axos ONE® -- up to 4.51% APY (Min. balance: $1,500)
Data source: Issuing banks. Rates are accurate as of Sept. 15, 2025.
Our featured pick: The NexBank High-Yield Savings Account from Raisin stands out with a 4.26% APY and only $1 necessary to get started. It's one of the few top-tier rates still widely available -- and with no monthly account fees, it's a smart move while rates remain high. Read our full review of the NexBank High-Yield Savings Account from Raisin to learn more and open an account today.
Our Picks for the Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2025
| Product | APY | Min. to Earn | |
SoFi Checking and Savings
Member FDIC.
APY
up to 4.50%
Rate info
Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Min. to earn
$0
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
On SoFi's Secure Website. |
up to 4.50%
Rate info
Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
|
$0
|
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
On SoFi's Secure Website. |
CIT Platinum Savings
Member FDIC.
APY
3.85%
Rate info
3.85% APY for balances of $5,000 or more; otherwise, 0.25% APY
Min. to earn
$5,000
Open Account for CIT Platinum Savings
On CIT's Secure Website. |
3.85%
Rate info
3.85% APY for balances of $5,000 or more; otherwise, 0.25% APY
|
$5,000
|
Open Account for CIT Platinum Savings
On CIT's Secure Website. |
Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier
Member FDIC.
APY
4.10%
Rate info
The annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of September 30, 2025 and subject to change at the Bank’s discretion. Refer to product’s website for latest APY rate. Minimum deposit required to open an account is $500 and a minimum balance of $0.01 is required to earn the advertised APY.
Min. to earn
$500 to open, $0.01 for max APY
Open Account for Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier
On Western Alliance Bank's Secure Website. |
4.10%
Rate info
The annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of September 30, 2025 and subject to change at the Bank’s discretion. Refer to product’s website for latest APY rate. Minimum deposit required to open an account is $500 and a minimum balance of $0.01 is required to earn the advertised APY.
|
$500 to open, $0.01 for max APY
|
Open Account for Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier
On Western Alliance Bank's Secure Website. |
The annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of September 30, 2025 and subject to change at the Bank’s discretion. Refer to product’s website for latest APY rate. Minimum deposit required to open an account is $500 and a minimum balance of $0.01 is required to earn the advertised APY.
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.
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.
Should you open an HYSA now?
Top HYSAs are still paying between 4.00% and 5.00% APY -- some of the best rates in years and far above what most big banks offer.
They're safe and flexible, too. Deposits up to $250,000 are FDIC-insured, and you can transfer or withdraw funds anytime. With no lockup period, an HYSA is a great place for an emergency fund or short-term savings you may need to tap quickly.
It's true, the very best time to open one may have been months ago, when rates were higher and there was a longer runway to collect interest. But even with the Fed expected to cut rates at the conclusion of its meeting tomorrow -- and some banks already trimming APYs -- HYSAs are likely to remain a solid deal for the foreseeable future.
Open an HYSA in just 3 simple steps
Getting started with a high-yield savings account is quick and easy. Here's how:
- Choose the best account for you. Look for a high APY, no monthly fees, and terms you can comfortably meet. A bank that also offers checking accounts can make transferring money back and forth much smoother.
- Complete the application. Most banks let you open an account right on their website. You'll just need basic info like your address and Social Security number.
- Add your funds. Once approved, move money from your checking or savings into your new high-yield savings account. Transfers between banks can take a few business days to process.
That's all it takes to start earning more on your savings. Just make sure to update any direct deposits or bill payments so they point to your new account.
How much interest can a high-yield savings account earn?
A 4.00% APY can make a big difference over time. Here's what your savings could grow into at different starting balances:
| Starting Balance | 1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | 20 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $204 | $1,104 | $2,457 | $5,622 |
| $10,000 | $408 | $2,208 | $4,914 | $11,244 |
| $20,000 | $816 | $4,416 | $9,828 | $22,488 |
As the years add up, even a small deposit can turn into thousands in interest -- and that's without adding another dime.
Every day you wait is a day your money could be earning more. Open one of the top HYSAs now and watch your savings work up to 10 times harder than they would in a regular account.
-
Sources
FAQs
-
Today's still-high rates will help your savings grow faster than inflation. But rates could drop as soon as later this month, so taking advantage of a top rate now could mean more earnings in the meantime.
-
Yes, high-yield savings accounts are safe as long as they're offered by an FDIC-insured bank or NCUA-insured credit union. Your deposits are protected up to $250,000 per person, per institution, in case the bank or credit union fails.
-
Yes, the interest rate on a high-yield savings account is variable, which means it can go up or down at any time. Rates often follow changes in the federal funds rate, so they may increase during rising rate environments and decrease when rates fall.
Our Research Expert
Jake FitzGerald is a full-time Editorial Strategist and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, leading 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.