If you keep a lot of money in your checking account, moving your money to a high interest checking account may be a good move. Below is a list of nationally available highest yields checking accounts. All of these accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000. Your principal is protected and you’re guarantee a positive nominal return on investment.
| Rate Search Results | Click here for column definitions | |||||||
Institution | Survey Date | APY | Open $ | Avoid Fees $ | Monthly Svc Fees $ | NSF Fees | ATM Surcharge | Online Access (Yes/No) |
| 05/24/13 | 0.65 | 1.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 33.00 | 0 | YES | |
| Presidential Bank, FSB | 05/24/13 | 0.12 | 500.00 | 500 | 5.00 | 20.00 | 1.5 | YES |
| 05/24/13 | 0.10 | 1.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 25.00 | 0 | YES | |
| Citibank | 05/13/13 | 0.01 | 1.00 | 15000 | 20.00 | 34.00 | 3 | YES |
| BB&T | 05/24/13 | 0.01 | 100.00 | 25000 | 25.00 | 36.00 | 3 | YES |
| SunTrust Bank | 05/24/13 | 0.01 | 100.00 | 5000 | 17.00 | 36.00 | 2 | YES | Many lenders and institutions have different rates on their own Websites than those posted on Bankrate.com. In order to get the Bankrate.com rate, please identify yourself as a Bankrate.com customer. If you believe that you have received an inaccurate quote or are otherwise not satisfied with the services provided to you by the lender you choose, please email us. Bank and thrift deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Credit union deposits are insured by the National Credit Union Administration. Bankrate.com rates banks, thrifts and credit unions through proprietary Safe & Sound star rating system. Rates are subject to change without notice and may vary from branch to branch. |
As of March 12, 2012 recommended banks with the highest yield checking accounts include:
| Bank | Interest Rate (APY) | Minimum Deposit | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One 360 Checking | 0.20% | $1 | Earn up to 0.80% APY with a balance over $50,000 and 0.85% APY if over $100,000, Free MasterCard Debit Card for all purchases, Free online bill pay, Free access to over 35,000 ATMs through the Allpoint network, Free postage.Get started now and earn a $50 bonus |
| E*Trade’s Max-Rate Checking Account | 0.05% | $5,000 | No ATM fees, Free one-click transfers, Unlimited check writing, Online check and deposit image, Free online bill pay and advanced reporting. |
Please review information associated with each offer before you sign up. Rates and conditions change constantly and I have reported what I believe to be the most accurate information at the time the article was updated.

This is a phenomenal list! Reward checking accounts have been performing quite well in comparison. At CheckingFinder.com (search engine that identifies high interest checking accounts via your zip. We are seeing community banks and credit unions paying up to 6%.
Check out checkingfinder.com There are links to several banks offering rewards checking accounts with interest rates between 3% and 5% APR. There are a few conditions necessary to obtain the high rates; however, they are nothing you typically don’t already do.
United FCU, they have branches in most of the states offers 6.01% on their high yield checking account.
Bank 1440 in Arizona offers 5.01% APY up to $25,000. Anything over that earns 2.01% when qualifications are met.
Their website explains everything…
First Internet Bank (of Indiana) has a 1% rate with NO minimum deposit.
https://www.firstib.com/
Hi Pinyo – I have found a bunch of banks willing to pay dearly for new customers – check out this post where CharterOne Bank is willing to pay up to $220 for new customers. http://ratenerd.com/best-check.....-deal-2100
These accounts are very similar to easyGROW Checking. I work for First Bank & Trust and they have been offering a high interest checking account since April. Check it out: http://www.easygrowchecking.com
Reward checking definitely has some advantages if you don’t mind the debit card usage requirements. As Frank mentioned CheckingFinder.com is a good resource, but it excludes many local banks and credit unions. Search for “reward checking” in Google for sites to help you find a local reward checking account.
North Carolina individuals can yield 4.01% on thier checking by opening a Reward Checking account with ECB. ECB is offering 4.01% on its Reward checking account on balances up to $25,000. Over $25,000, it yields 1.01%.
Westfield Bank in Ohio’s Dream Big Rewards checking is 3.5% APY up to $25,000 deposit. http://www.dreambigrewards.com. You have to make 12 purchases per month using the debit card, make either 1 direct deposit or 1 auto withdrawl per month. And you have to use electronic banking. But there’s no minimum deposit and no fees.
I’ve never heard of checkingfinder. I’ll have to check out the link. I just signed up with ING and really like the easy interface and ability to link to my current checking account. At 6% interest, that beats any cd or money market account.
There is a bank in IL called the consumer credit union that has 4% APY. No residency requirements to sign up. Credit Unions are really starting to give the national banks a run for their money
When I look at all of the FREE chequing options that are available to Americans, it makes me a little bit sad. Partly because I’m Canadian, so to get truly free chequing takes a bit of work (now there are a few options like ING THRiVE and PC Financial). But partly because, despite how easy it is to get free chequing, so many Americans still pay ridiculous amounts for access to their own money. I talk to people here in Canada and they say it’s too much effort to switch; I fear they’d be just as lazy even if it were simple.
This is a great list. Another possibility is to look at ethnic banks. For example, a lot of Korean banks offer special savings accounts that will reward regular depositors with higher interest. Right now, the interest level is about 2%+, which is really good in current times.
Great list. Most people don’t take the time to maximize their savings and plan correctly for the future. Even though today’s rates are as low as they have ever been, cash is still an asset class the safest place to keep your hard earned money. Everyone should have enough cash or equivalent type of asset to save for a rainy day. Rates will go higher at some point and the returns will get better.