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📌 Main takeaway:
Key takeaways
- The Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut interest rates next week. But while that will result in lower cash returns, what you can earn remains historically high.
- The best high-yield savings accounts pay up to 5.00%, while the best CDs let you lock in interest rates up to 4.50% before the Fed makes its move.
- Brokerage and robo-advisor cash accounts continue to offer attractive returns in the mid-to-higher 3% range, while U.S. Treasuries pay up to 4.79% for investors seeking stability.
See today’s best cash returns – all in one chart
With a Federal Reserve rate cut expected on Wednesday, many savers are taking a fresh look at where to keep their money — looking for places that still offer strong returns and stability as yields start to fall.
Fortunately, today’s safer options remain rewarding – and should decline only gradually if the Fed cuts its benchmark interest rate by an expected quarter-point. Yields on savings accounts, CDs, brokerages and Treasuries remain near their highest levels in years, even after the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by half a point this fall.
We’ve charted the top-paying options across each major category — all in one place for easy comparison. High-yield savings accounts still pay up to 5.00% if you meet certain requirements, or about 4.50% for accounts without any restrictions. Among CDs, the best rate nationwide is 4.50%, and brokerages, robo-advisors and Treasuries continue to offer attractive yields in the mid-3% to mid-4% range.
These returns make now an attractive time to put idle money to work while prices remain high. Below we’ll show how much you can earn from different credits and how to group the highest payouts by product type.
Why is this important to you?
There are always safe places to get cash, and now they pay well. The right account can help you earn more while keeping your savings safe and your returns predictable.
How much can you earn on $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000?
Even if you are careful with your liquid savings, this does not mean that they should remain idle. The right calculation can still turn short-term safety into meaningful profits.
By depositing a total of $5,000, $10,000, or even $25,000, you can earn hundreds of dollars in interest if you choose one of today’s best rates. Whether you choose a cash management account with 3.50% interest, a high-yield savings account, a money market account that pays 5.00% interest, or anything in between, here’s what different balances could earn you over the next six months.
| Six months of earnings at various APYs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| my dad | He earned $5,000 for 6 months | He earned $10,000 in 6 months | He earned $25,000 in 6 months |
| 3.50% | $87 | $173 | $434 |
| 3.75% | $93 | $186 | $464 |
| 4.00% | $99 | $198 | $495 |
| 4.25% | $105 | $210 | $526 |
| 4.50% | $111 | $223 | $556 |
| 4.75% | $117 | $235 | $587 |
| 5.00% | $123 | $247 | $617 |
important
The rate you earn from a savings account, money market account, cash account, or money market fund is variable, and will generally decrease when the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates. In contrast, CDs and Treasuries Allow you to secure your return For a specified period of time.
This week’s top-paying options are for savings, CDs, brokerages and Treasuries
For a low-risk return that’s still rewarding, today’s best in-the-money options are divided into three main categories — each with slightly different trade-offs depending on how long you want to keep the money.
- Bank and credit union products: Savings accounts, money market accounts (MMA), and certificates of deposit (CDs)
- Brokerage and robo-advisor products: Money market funds and cash management accounts
- US Treasury Products: Treasury bills, securities and bonds, in addition to inflation-protected I-bonds
You can choose one option or mix and match based on your goals and schedule. Either way, knowing what each individual is currently paying is essential. Below, we break down the top rates in each category as of market close on Friday and how they’ve changed since last week.
Bank and credit union rates
The rates below represent the highest 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.
Cash Brokerage Rates and Robo-Advisor
The yield on money market funds fluctuates daily, while interest rates on cash management accounts are more fixed but can be adjusted at any time.
US Treasury bond prices
Treasury securities pay interest until maturity and can be purchased from TreasuryDirect or traded on the secondary market through a bank or brokerage. Bonds must be purchased from TreasuryDirect and can be held for up to 30 years, with rates adjusting every six months.
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