Today's Best High-Yield Savings Account Rates: Sept. 2, 2025 -- Earn up to 5.00% APY
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Savers are still in a good spot as September kicks off. Many high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) are paying 4.00% APY or more -- well above the low returns most big banks still offer.
An HYSA works like a regular savings account, but with a much bigger payoff. Your money stays safe, FDIC-insured, and easy to access, while even a small balance can grow faster than it would in a standard account.
With the Fed meeting less than three weeks away and a rate cut expected, these elevated yields may not stick around. Check out the top offers while they're still available.
- 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. 1, 2025.
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. |
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.
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.
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?
At the moment, top HYSAs are paying between 4.00% and 5.00% APY -- well above inflation and far better than the near-zero returns most big banks still give.
They're safe, flexible, and simple to manage. Your deposits (up to $250,000) are FDIC-insured, and you can move or withdraw your money anytime. Unlike a CD, there's no long-term lockup, so an HYSA works whether you're building an emergency fund, saving for a short-term goal, or just parking extra cash where it earns more.
The catch is that these high rates may not last. The Fed has held interest rates steady so far this year, but many experts expect a cut at the September meeting -- now just weeks away. Some banks have already started lowering APYs, which means waiting could cost you access to today's best returns.
How to open an HYSA in 3 simple steps
You can open a high-yield savings account in just a few minutes. Here's how:
- Find the best high-yield savings account for you. Look for a high APY, no monthly fees, and no requirements that you can't meet (like a minimum balance). Also make sure the bank offers a checking account so you can link it to your savings and make instant transfers.
- Apply for an account on the bank's website. You'll need to provide some basic information, like your address and Social Security number.
- Transfer your money. Log into your new bank's website and transfer money from your old savings account into your new one. Transfers between different banks typically take a few business days.
That's all it takes to open an HYSA and start earning a high APY. Note: You may also need to redirect any automatic deposits or withdrawals to your new account.
How much can your savings earn in an HYSA?
With a 4.00% APY, your savings can grow faster than you might think -- whether you start with a little or a lot. The table below shows how much you can earn over various lengths of time with 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 |
Even a smaller deposit can turn into thousands in interest if you let it sit and grow -- no extra contributions needed.
The sooner you open an HYSA, the sooner your money starts working harder, often earning 10 times the interest of a typical savings account. So don't wait -- open a high-yield savings account today.
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Sources
FAQs
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Today's still-high rates will help your savings grow faster than inflation. But rates could drop as soon as next month, so taking advantage of a top rate now could mean more earnings in the meantime.
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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.
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Right now, the best savings account rates are those between about 3.80% and 5.00%. You can earns hundreds more per year on your savings compared to keeping your money in an account with the national average savings APY of 0.40%.
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.