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Updated may 2026  ·  FDIC Insured

Best High Yield Savings Accounts & CDs — Compare Top Rates

Stop earning next to nothing. The national average is just 0.38% APY. Today’s best accounts pay up to 10× more*.

4.10%
Top Savings APY
4.00%
Top CD APY
$250K
FDIC Coverage
<10 min
To Open

⚠️ Fed rate cuts expected — lock in today’s high APYs before they drop.
See CD rates →

*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 April 20, 2026.

High Yield Savings Accounts

Earn Up to 10×* the National Average

All accounts below are FDIC insured up to $250,000. Open online in minutes — no branch visit required.

★ TOP PICK
CIT Bank · Platinum Savings
CIT Platinum Savings — Best Rate for Balances $5,000+

4.10%1

APY with promo · 6-month boost · $5,000+ balance

🎁 Use promo code CITBoost to activate the 4.10% APY promotion (offer ends May 31, 2026)
4.10% APY for 6 months (then 3.75% APY — still 9× the national avg)
$100 minimum to open
No monthly maintenance fees
Member FDIC · 24/7 online & mobile access
Rated 4.0/5 by NerdWallet, 4.3/5 by Bankrate
Min. deposit
$100
Limited-time offer

Open Account →
Learn More

CIT Platinum Savings APY Boost Promotion (promo code CITBoost)

1This is a limited time offer available to New and Existing customers who meet the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion criteria.

Accounts enrolled in the Platinum Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Boost promotion will receive a 0.35% APY boost on the Platinum Savings current standard APY tiers for 6 months following the opening of a new account or when an existing Platinum Savings account is enrolled in the promotion. The Platinum Savings APY boost will be applied on account balances up to $9,999,999.00. Account balances above $9,999,999.00 will earn the standard APY. If the standard-published APY should change during the promotion period, the APY boost will move with it, offering an account APY above the standard rate.

The Promotion begins on February 13, 2026, and ends May 31, 2026. Customers enrolled in the promotion prior to the end date will receive the APY boost for the 6- month period outlined in the terms and conditions.

The promotion can end at any time without notice.

For a complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures.

Valley Bank Direct
Valley Direct High Yield Savings — Best for Any Balance
4.00%2
APY · Promotional rate as of 5/10/26
One of the highest online savings rates available
95+ years of banking heritage — $64B in assets
No monthly maintenance fees
Zelle compatible · 24/7 mobile access · FDIC insured
Takes less than 10 minutes to open
Min. deposit
$1,000

Open Account →
Learn More

2Valley Direct 4.00% APY is a promotional rate as of 5/10/26.

CIT Bank · Savings Connect
CIT Savings Connect — No Tier Minimums
3.65%
APY · Any balance · 9× national average
Earn 3.65% regardless of balance — no tiers
$100 minimum to open
No monthly fees · Member FDIC
Rated 4.5/5 by NerdWallet
Min. deposit
$100

Open Account →

3APY — Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of January 9, 2026. Interest Rates for the Savings Connect Account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Savings Connect account is $100. Fees could reduce earnings on the account.

For a complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures.

*Rates as of May10, 2026 and subject to change. FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor. National average savings APY 0.38% (FDIC, April 20, 2026).

Rate Comparison

How Do These Rates Stack Up?

See why the big banks are leaving money on the table — and where you should actually keep your savings.

Bank / Account APY Notes
CIT Platinum Savings (our pick) 4.10%* 6-mo boost, $5K+ balance
Valley Bank Direct (our pick) 4.00% Limited time promo rate
Marcus (Goldman Sachs) 3.50% Online bank
Synchrony Bank 3.40% Online bank
Capital One 360 3.10% Hybrid bank
American Express HYSA 3.20% Online bank
Citi Accelerate 3.10% Major bank
Bank of America Advantage 0.01% Brick & mortar
Chase Premier Savings 0.01% Brick & mortar
Wells Fargo Way2Save 0.01% Brick & mortar

* CIT Platinum Savings APY Boost Promotion (promo code CITBoost)

This is a limited time offer available to New and Existing customers who meet the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion criteria.

Accounts enrolled in the Platinum Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Boost promotion will receive a 0.35% APY boost on the Platinum Savings current standard APY tiers for 6 months following the opening of a new account or when an existing Platinum Savings account is enrolled in the promotion. The Platinum Savings APY boost will be applied on account balances up to $9,999,999.00. Account balances above $9,999,999.00 will earn the standard APY. If the standard-published APY should change during the promotion period, the APY boost will move with it, offering an account APY above the standard rate.

The Promotion begins on February 13, 2026, and ends May 31, 2026. Customers enrolled in the promotion prior to the end date will receive the APY boost for the 6- month period outlined in the terms and conditions.

The promotion can end at any time without notice.

For a complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures.

Rates as of 5/10/26. Rates are variable and subject to change.

No-Penalty CDs

Lock In a Rate — Keep the Flexibility

A no-penalty CD lets you lock in today’s high rates with the freedom to withdraw without fees if you need the money early. Best of both worlds.

★ TOP PICK
CIT Bank · 11-Month No-Penalty CD
Best No-Penalty CD — Peace of Mind, No Problem
3.75%1
APY · 11-month term · Rate locked from day one
Withdraw full balance + interest with zero penalty after 7 days
Rate guaranteed for full 11-month term
Daily compounding interest
$1,000 minimum to open · No monthly fees
24/7 online & mobile access · FDIC insured
Min. deposit
$1,000
Rate Guaranteed

Open CD Now →
Learn More

Bank Term APY Min. Deposit
CIT Bank (our pick) 11 mo 3.75%1 $1,000
Ally Bank 11 mo 2.80% $0
Bank of America Flexible CD 12 mo 2.50% -3.75% $1,000

Ally and Bank of America rates as of 5/10/26.

1APY — Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of January 9, 2026. $1,000 minimum to open the account. With a No-Penalty CD, you may withdraw the total balance and interest earned, without penalty, beginning 7 days after funds have been received for your CD. No withdrawals are permitted during the first 6 days following the receipt of funds.

For a complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures.

💡 Why Choose a No-Penalty CD Over a Savings Account?

With rates trending down, locking in 3.75%1 APY for 11 months means you keep earning at today’s high rate even if rates drop — and you can still access your money if needed.

High Yield CDs

Lock In Up to 4.00% APY — Before Rates Drop

CDs offer a guaranteed fixed rate for the entire term — a smart move when rates are at historic highs and expected to fall.

★ TOP PICK
Valley Bank Direct · 9-Month CD
Valley Direct CD — Best High Yield CD Available
4.00%
APY · 9-month term · Rate locked from day one
4.00% APY — well above the 12-mo national average of 1.52%
Rate guaranteed for the full 9-month term
From a bank with 95+ years of history and $64B in assets
FDIC insured · Easy online account opening
Min. deposit
$1,000
Top Rate

Open CD Now →
Learn More

CIT Bank · 6-Month CD
CIT Bank 6-Month CD — Short-Term Rate Lock
Market Leading Rate
APY · 6-month term
Ideal if you want a shorter commitment
Daily compounding interest
No monthly fees · FDIC insured
Open CD →

Bank Term APY Min. Deposit
Valley Bank Direct (our pick) 9 mo 4.00% $1,000
Marcus by Goldman Sachs 12 mo 4.00% $500
Ally Bank 12 mo 3.70% $0
Capital One 360 12 mo 3.75% $0
Discover Bank 12 mo 3.75% $0
American Express Bank 12 mo 3.25% $0
National Average (FDIC) 12 mo 1.53%

Rates as of 5/10/26. National CD Average per FDIC.gov (4/20/26). CD rates are trending down — act now to lock in today’s high rates.

Why Credit and Cents

Smart Research. Honest Reviews.

We do the legwork so you can choose with confidence — not guesswork.

🔍

Independent Research

Our recommendations are based on verified data and real rate comparisons — not advertising budgets.

🏢

FDIC-Insured Only

Every account we feature is federally insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution.

📊

Rates Updated Regularly

We monitor rates weekly and update our comparisons so you always see the most relevant offers.

🔐

Your Info Stays Private

All accounts are opened directly on the bank’s website. We never collect your personal financial data.

Trusted Banks. Proven Track Records.

Our featured partners have decades of history and billions in assets.

🏛️ CIT Bank — $100B+ in assets · Division of First Citizens Bank
🏛️ Valley Bank — Founded 1927 · $64B in assets
🛡️ All accounts FDIC insured up to $250,000

Real Customer Experiences

What Savers Are Saying

These are real reviews from verified users of our featured accounts.

★★★★★

“CIT Bank has been fantastic for me… They are quick with transfers in and out… I’ve been with them for years and I’d recommend them to anyone.”

Reddit user · r/personalfinance

→ Open CIT Bank Account

★★★★★

“Valley Direct made it easy to send small transfers with Zelle — convenient and straightforward.”

User · DepositAccounts.com

→ Open Valley Direct Account

Testimonials reflect individual user experiences and are not endorsed by CIT Bank or Valley Bank Direct. Results may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

High Yield Savings & CD Questions Answered

Still on the fence? Here are the most common questions from first-time savers.

What is a high yield savings account?

A high yield savings account (HYSA) is a savings account that pays significantly more interest than a traditional savings account. The national average is just 0.38% APY. Top HYSAs pay 4.00%–4.10% APY — over 10× more — on FDIC-insured balances.

What is a no-penalty CD and how is it different from a regular CD?

A no-penalty CD lets you lock in a guaranteed interest rate for a set term (e.g., 11 months) but allows you to withdraw your full balance and interest earned early — without any penalty — typically after the first 7 days. A regular CD charges an early withdrawal penalty if you pull funds before the maturity date.

Is my money safe in an online savings account?

Yes. All accounts featured on this page are FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank — the same protection as any brick-and-mortar bank. CIT Bank and Valley Bank are both established, regulated institutions.

How often can rates change on high yield savings accounts?

High yield savings rates are variable and can change at any time, typically in response to Federal Reserve rate decisions. CDs, by contrast, lock in your rate for the full term. This is why many savers use both: HYSAs for liquidity and CDs for locked-in rates.

Should I choose a savings account or a CD?

If you need regular access to your funds, a high yield savings account is the better fit. If you can set aside money for a fixed period and want to lock in today’s high rate (especially ahead of expected Fed cuts), a CD is the smarter choice. Many savers use both.

What does APY mean?

APY stands for Annual Percentage Yield. It reflects the total interest you’d earn over one year, accounting for compounding. Accounts that compound interest daily grow slightly faster than those that compound monthly at the same stated rate.

How long does it take to open an account?

Both CIT Bank and Valley Direct can be opened entirely online in under 10 minutes. You’ll need your Social Security number, a government-issued ID, and routing/account information for your funding bank.

Still have questions? Read our full Savings & CDs Guide or High Yield Savings deep dive.

Start Earning More Today

Rates are high now — but Fed cuts could change that at any time. Open an account in under 10 minutes and start putting your money to work.

Open Valley Direct (4.00% APY) 1
Open CIT Savings (4.10% APY)2
Open No-Penalty CD (3.75%)3

Disclosures: Credit and Cents is an affiliate partner for CIT Bank (a division of First Citizens Bank) and Valley Direct Bank. We earn a commission if you open an account via our links, at no cost to you. All product reviews are based on independent research. All accounts are opened on the bank’s website only — no personal information is collected on this site.

1Valley Direct 4.00% APY is a promotional rate as of 5/10/26.

2CIT Platinum Savings APY Boost Promotion (promo code CITBoost). This is a limited time offer available to New and Existing customers who meet the Platinum Savings APY Boost promotion criteria. Accounts enrolled in the Platinum Savings Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Boost promotion will receive a 0.35% APY boost on the Platinum Savings current standard APY tiers for 6 months following the opening of a new account or when an existing Platinum Savings account is enrolled in the promotion. The Platinum Savings APY boost will be applied on account balances up to $9,999,999.00. Account balances above $9,999,999.00 will earn the standard APY. If the standard-published APY should change during the promotion period, the APY boost will move with it, offering an account APY above the standard rate.

The Promotion begins on February 13, 2026, and ends May 31, 2026. Customers enrolled in the promotion prior to the end date will receive the APY boost for the 6- month period outlined in the terms and conditions.

The promotion can end at any time without notice.

3APY — Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of January 9, 2026. $1,000 minimum to open the account. With a No-Penalty CD, you may withdraw the total balance and interest earned, without penalty, beginning 7 days after funds have been received for your CD. No withdrawals are permitted during the first 6 days following the receipt of funds.

For a complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures.

 National average savings APY: 0.38% (FDIC, 4/20/26). National average 12-mo CD APY: 1.53% (FDIC, 4/20/26). Rates are variable and subject to change without notice.

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