Key Takeaways
As National Savings Day on Sunday, Oct. 12, spotlights the value of saving, you can still earn strong returns on cash despite last month’s Fed rate cut.
The top high-yield savings and money market accounts continue to offer up to 5.00%, while the best CD rate stands at 4.45%.
The best brokerage and robo-advisor cash accounts currently pay up to 4.05%, while U.S. Treasuries yield as much as 4.63% today.
Our tables below compare today’s top rates across banks, credit unions, brokers, robo-advisors, and Treasuries.
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Cash Yields Reach Up to 5.00%—For Now
National Savings Day is the perfect reminder to make your money work harder. Is your cash earning all it could? The right account could add hundreds more to your savings over time.
The good news for savers is that today’s options remain strong. The top high-yield savings accounts still pay up to 5.00% if you meet some requirements, or mid-4% returns for no-strings-attached accounts. Among CDs, the best nationwide rate is 4.45% right now.
That’s despite the Federal Reserve cutting rates by a quarter point two weeks ago. With the central bank projecting another possible half-point in reductions before year’s end, deposit rates at banks, credit unions, and brokerages could steadily decline. That means today’s top yields may not last, making now an opportune time to put your cash to work at the best available returns.
Why This Matters for You
National Savings Day is a reminder to make every dollar count. Knowing where your cash earns the most can help you grow your savings faster—especially as rates start to slip.
How Much Can You Earn on $10K, $25K, or $50K?
With a lump-sum savings deposit of $10,000, $25,000, or even $50,000, you can earn hundreds of dollars in interest if you choose one of today’s top rates. Whether you opt for a 3.75% cash management account, a top high-yield savings or money market account paying 5.00%, or something in between, here’s what different balances could earn over the next six months.
Six Months of Earnings at Various APYs
APY
Earnings on $10K for 6 months
Earnings on $25K for 6 months
Earnings on $50K for 6 months
3.75%
$186
$464
$929
4.00%
$198
$495
$990
4.25%
$210
$526
$1,051
4.50%
$223
$556
$1,113
4.75%
$235
$587
$1,174
5.00%
$247
$617
$1,235
These examples assume you can earn the stated annual percentage yield (APY) for the full six months, which may not be possible with variable-rate options.
Important
The rate you earn from a savings account, money market account, cash account, or money market fund can fluctuate and will almost certainly drop now that the Fed has begun cutting rates—if it hasn’t already. In contrast, CDs and Treasuries allow you to lock in your return for a set term.
This Week’s Highest-Paying Options for Savings, CDs, Brokerages, and Treasuries
For a low-risk return that’s still rewarding, today’s top cash investment options fall into three main categories:
- Bank and credit union products: Savings accounts, money market accounts (MMAs), and certificates of deposit (CDs)
- Brokerage and robo-advisor products: Money market funds and cash management accounts
- U.S. Treasury products: T-bills, notes, and bonds, plus inflation-protected I bonds
You can choose a single option or mix and match based on your goals and timeline. Either way, knowing what each one is currently paying is essential. Below, we break down the top rates in each category as of Friday’s market close and how they’ve changed since last week.
Bank and Credit Union Rates
The rates below represent the top nationally available annual percentage yields (APYs) from federally insured banks and credit unions, based on our daily analysis of more than 200 institutions offering products nationwide.
Brokerage and Robo-Advisor Cash Rates
The yield on money market funds fluctuates daily, while rates on cash management accounts are more fixed but can be adjusted at any time.
U.S. Treasury Rates
Treasury securities pay interest through maturity and can be purchased from TreasuryDirect or traded on the secondary market through a bank or brokerage. I bonds must be bought from TreasuryDirect and can be held for up to 30 years, with rates adjusted every six months.
This Week’s Best Cash Rates, All in One Place
Here’s a summary look at all of the cash vehicles above, sorted by today’s highest rates. Note that the rates shown are the top qualifying rate for each product type.
How We Find the Best Savings and CD Rates
Every business day, Investopedia tracks the rate data of more than 200 banks and credit unions that offer CDs and savings accounts to customers nationwide and determines daily rankings of the top-paying accounts. To qualify for our lists, the institution must be federally insured (FDIC for banks, NCUA for credit unions), and the account’s minimum initial deposit must not exceed $25,000. It also cannot specify a maximum deposit amount that’s below $5,000.
Banks must be available in at least 40 states to qualify as nationally available. And while some credit unions require you to donate to a specific charity or association to become a member if you don’t meet other eligibility criteria (e.g., you don’t live in a certain area or work in a certain kind of job), we leave out credit unions whose donation requirement is $40 or more. For more about how we choose the best rates, read our full methodology.
