Worried About a Recession? Here's the Smartest Way to Protect Your Money Now

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. APY = Annual Percentage Yield.

KEY POINTS

  • High-yield savings accounts offer safe and flexible storage for your money.
  • FDIC insurance protects up to $250,000 of your cash.
  • Top HYSAs pay more than 4.00% APY, much higher than traditional savings.

When the economy looks uncertain, you want to protect your money while still earning some interest. Traditional savings accounts are great for keeping your money safe, but they don't offer enough bang for your buck.

That's where high-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) come in. They give you a safe place to park your money, earn solid interest, and keep access to it at any time.

Learn why they're the best place to keep your money when you're worried about an economic downturn.

Safety first: FDIC insurance protects your cash

Just like traditional bank accounts, HYSAs are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank. That means up to $250,000 of your money is protected, even if your bank fails. You won't have to worry about market swings or losing your savings overnight.

So if safety is your top concern, a high-yield savings account is just as effective as a traditional bank account -- with some additional perks.

Higher returns than traditional accounts

Traditional savings accounts pay next to nothing -- the national average savings account APY is just 0.41%, according to the FDIC.

With an HYSA like the LendingClub LevelUp Savings account, for example, you can earn as much as 4.40% APY with $250+ in monthly deposits -- more than 10X the national average, just for moving your money. Open a LendingClub LevelUp Savings account for free to keep your money safe, secure, and flexible today.

Easy access without penalties

HYSAs let you move money in and out whenever you want -- no waiting periods and no early withdrawal fees. That makes them ideal for emergency funds or money you might need in the near future.

In a recession, cash flow matters -- you don't want your money tied up in investments if you lose your job or have unexpected bills. With an HYSA, your money stays liquid, offering peace of mind.

A smart move in any economy

Recession or no, putting your money in an HYSA still makes sense. You'll earn more interest and avoid fees, all at zero risk to you. And you'll always have money on hand for what comes next -- good or bad.

Don't wait until a downturn hits. Learn more about our favorite high-yield savings accounts available today.

Our Research Expert