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A high-yield checking account offers a high annual percentage yield (APY), like a savings account combined with the convenient access of a standard checking account.
Robin Hartill, CFP®, is The Ascent’s Head of Product Ratings and has worked for The Motley Fool since 2020. Her work has appeared in various national publications, including Yahoo! Finance, NerdWallet, Investopedia, CNN Underscored, MSNBC, USA Today, and CNET Money. She previously wrote The Penny Hoarder’s syndicated “Dear Penny” personal finance advice column.
Quontic High Interest Checking
On Quontic's Secure Website.
On Quontic's Secure Website.
Quontic is an online bank with over 90,000 fee-free ATM locations. There are no monthly or overdraft fees. Interest is compounded daily and deposited into your account each month based on your account daily balance and satisfying the point-of-sale eligible transactions requirements per statement cycle.
10 debit card point of sale transactions of $10 or more per statement cycle required to earn the maximum APY. If the qualifying activity requirement is not fulfilled, the interest rate paid on the entire balance will be 0.01% APY.
Axos Bank Rewards Checking
Axos is an online-only bank, and it offers unlimited domestic ATM reimbursements.There are zero monthly maintenance fees, zero overdraft or NSF fees, and zero monthly balance requirements.
Rewards Checking disclosure:
To be eligible to earn all or a portion of the cash incentive as part of the promotional offer "RC500," an application for a Rewards Checking account must be submitted between 06/20/2024 at 12:00 am PT and 07/31/24 at 11:59 pm PT.
Axos Bank reserves the right to limit each primary account holder to one (1) checking account promotional offer per year. Promotional terms and conditions are subject to change or removal without notice. Incentive may be taxable and reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC. Consult your tax advisor. After initial requirements above are met, the amount of incentive earned will depend on meeting the additional requirements outlined below:
Rewards Checking bonus up to $500: You must be approved for your new Rewards Checking account and fund it within 60 days of account opening. An incentive of up to $500 can be earned during the first six (6) statement cycles, starting in the statement cycle thirty (30) days after the account is opened. A statement cycle is a calendar month consisting of at least one day your account was open during that month. You can earn a maximum of five (5) payouts during the six (6) statement cycles, and the incentive will be deposited into the qualifying account within 15 business days following the end of the statement cycle in which the requirements were met.
$100 will be earned for each statement cycle, up to $500, when you meet two requirements during that statement cycle: 1) your Rewards Checking account receives qualifying direct deposits at least $1,500.00 in total, and 2) the average daily balance in your Rewards Checking account is at least $3,000.
Your Rewards Checking account must remain open and in good standing at the time the incentive is paid to be eligible.
A direct deposit is an electronic deposit of your paycheck or government benefits, such as Social Security, Disability etc. Other deposits (i.e., online banking transfers, ATM and mobile check deposits, etc.) or person-to-person payments are not considered a direct deposit. Account transactions may take one or more business days from the transaction date to post to the account.
Wealthfront Cash Account
Wealthfront is a robo-advisor that has partnered with other banks to offer banking services and offers up to $1 million in FDIC insurance. There are no account fees or overdraft fees, and you can get instant transfers to your investment portfolio.
Alliant High Rate Checking
Alliant is an online-only credit union based out of Chicago; however, anyone can qualify for membership. There is no monthly maintenance fee, no overdraft fees, and no monthly minimum balance requirement. To qualify for the high-yield account, you only need to meet two monthly requirements.
Ally Spending Account
Ally is an online-only bank with a top-rated mobile app. While it has no physical locations, it has over 43,000 fee-free Allpoint ATM locations and reimburses ATM fees up to $10 per statement cycle. Ally also offers free standard and official checks, as well as free domestic and international wire transfers.
Connexus Credit Union Teen Checking
Members age 10 to 17 are eligible for a Teen Checking Account. When members turn 18, the Teen account will automatically transition into an Innovative Checking Account. There are no minimum requirements to earn the APY, and teens will receive a free debit card with access to over 54,000 fee-free ATMs.
Consumers Credit Union Rewards Checking
Consumers Credit Union is a credit union based out of Chicago; however, anyone can qualify for membership. The bank offers unlimited reimbursement for all ATM fees. There are no monthly fees, no minimum deposit and balance requirements, and customers can get paid two days early with early direct deposit.
Liberty Federal Credit Union Vertical Checking
There are thousands of ways to be eligible for Liberty Federal Credit Union. The credit union offers a high APY that is compounded monthly.
In exchange for the high APY and rewards, many high-yield checking accounts charge a monthly fee or require a minimum deposit, high minimum balance, or have other requirements. The fee may outweigh the rewards or the minimum requirements may be difficult to meet. It is important to check to see if it is worth signing up for a high-yield checking account.
Here are other factors to consider.
When looking for the best high-yield checking account, look at the rate and rewards offered. Is the APY large enough that makes it worth it to open the account? If the rate difference is minimal, then it may make sense to stick with a standard account that has no requirements.
Are the requirements easy to meet? Do you use direct deposit? Some banks and credit unions require you to open a credit card with the bank as well. Check to see how much you keep in your checking account on average and the number of transactions you make. Then compare it to the minimum requirements.
There are many other checking account fees that a bank or a credit union can charge. These fees can eat into any gain in high interest. Some banks also require a high minimum balance to qualify for the account. Customers who don't meet the minimum requirements will often have to pay the monthly service fee.
It is important to find a bank that offers easily accessible customer service. Online-only banks do not have any branches so the only way to contact the bank is through online chat, email, or phone support. If you still prefer face-to-face customer service, you may want a bank with a physical branch.
You should choose a bank based on your preference and what is important to you. Some large banks have branches nationwide. Online banks don't have physical branches but they tend to have lower fees and offer a higher APY. Check to see if their online banking and mobile apps are robust and meet your needs.
Some banks have a limited number of fee-free ATMs. If you use an out-of-network ATM, you will be charged a fee. Look for banks with a large number of fee-free ATMs or banks that offer generous ATM fee reimbursements.
Offer | APY | Minimum to Earn APY | Rating | Next Steps | ||
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Quontic High Interest Checking
Open Account for Quontic High Interest Checking
On Quontic's Secure Website.
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
up to 1.10%
Min. to earn: $1
High APY when you complete 10 or more qualifying debit card purchases each month
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
$1
|
Open Account for Quontic High Interest Checking
On Quontic's Secure Website.
High APY when you complete 10 or more qualifying debit card purchases each month
|
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2024 Award Winner
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
0.40% (up to 3.30%)
Rate info
To earn the full APY, account holders must do all of the following: Receive monthly direct deposits totaling more than $1,500; make 10 transactions a month with your Axos debit card, or sign up for Axos's Personal Finance Manager; maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 per month in an Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account; and use your Rewards Checking account to make your full monthly Axos Bank consumer mortgage, personal, or auto loan payment.
Min. to earn: Monthly direct deposits totaling at least $1,500
offer alert
Cash in on up to a $500 bonus† and up to 3.30% APY* with a new Rewards Checking account. Just use promo code RC500 before July 31.
|
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Monthly direct deposits totaling at least $1,500
|
offer alert
Cash in on up to a $500 bonus† and up to 3.30% APY* with a new Rewards Checking account. Just use promo code RC500 before July 31.
|
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Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
5.00%
Min. to earn: $0
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
$0
|
|||
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
0.25%
Min. to earn: $1
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
$1
|
|||
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
up to 0.25%
Min. to earn: $1
|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
$1
|
|||
Connexus Credit Union Teen Checking
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
2.00%
Min. to earn: Varies
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Varies
|
|
||
Consumers Credit Union Rewards Checking
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
up to 5.00%
Min. to earn: Varies
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Varies
|
|
||
Liberty Federal Credit Union Vertical Checking
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Up to 3.45%
Min. to earn: Varies
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Varies
|
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A high-yield checking account offers a higher APY than a standard checking account. High-yield checking accounts typically require a higher minimum balance, certain transaction volume, direct deposit, and other requirements to qualify for the higher rates. They offer a similar APY to a savings account but are designed for everyday use.
Some banks and credit unions call a high-yield checking account a rewards or high-interest checking account. A rewards checking account is a standard checking account that offers rewards such as high APY, cash back on debit card purchases, or sign-on bonuses for new customers.
A high-yield checking account may be worth it if you can easily meet the minimum requirements. This account is best if you keep high balances of cash in your account and want to conduct everyday transactions. Standard checking accounts offer very little interest, so a high-yield checking account can help you earn more money while having easy access to your money.
While the best high-yield checking accounts generally offer higher earning potential, they require a high minimum balance, a minimum number of transactions, and they may charge higher fees. If it is difficult to meet the requirements, it may make sense to use a high-yield savings account to get a high APY and use a standard checking account for everyday transactions. In today's low interest environment, a high-yield account will beat a regular checking account, but it isn't right for everyone.
At The Motley Fool Ascent, we rate checking accounts on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). We evaluate all checking accounts across four main criteria: brand and reputation, APY and rewards, fees and minimum requirements, and perks.
Our scores are weighted as:
Our aim is to maintain a balanced list featuring top-scoring products from reputable brands offering standout features. Learn more about how The Motley Fool Ascent rates bank accounts.
Here are the 100+ financial institutions we've evaluated in our research:
Alliant, Ally, All America Bank, American First Credit Union, American Express® National Bank, Arvest Bank, Aspiration, Axos Bank, B2 Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Bank7, Barclays, Bask Bank, Betterment, Bluevine, BMO Bank, Bread Financial, Capital One, Carver Federal Savings Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIT, Citibank, Citizens, Citizens Savings Bank, Columbia Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Copper, Cross River Bank, Customers Bank, Discover® Bank, E*TRADEEdward Jones, EverBank, Fidelity, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, First National Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Flushing Bank, Freedom Bank, Generations Bank, GN Bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Greenlight, Harborstone Credit Union, HSBC, Huntington Bank, Ivella, Kabbage by American Express, KeyBank, Laurel Road, LendingClub, Liberty Bank, Liberty Federal Credit Union, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Mercury, Municipal Credit Union, Mutual of Omaha, NASA Federal Credit Union, Nationwide Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC Bank, New York Community Bank, Northpointe Bank, Novo, OceanFirst Bank, Old National Bank, ONE Finance, OneUnited Bank, Oxygen, Pacific Western Bank, PNC Bank, Ponce Bank, Popular Direct, Presidential Bank, Prime Alliance Bank, Quontic, Radius, Raisin, Redneck Bank, Regions Bank, Relay, Republic Bank of Chicago, Revolut, Salem Five Bank, Sallie Mae, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Simple, SoFi®, Synchrony Bank, Tab Bank, TD Bank, Third Federal, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB, Upgrade, USAA, Valley Bank, Vanguard, Varo Bank, Vio Bank, Wealthfront, Wells Fargo, Western Alliance Bank, and Zeta.
The national average interest rate for a checking account is currently 0.03% and a savings account is currently 0.07%. This is the average of rates paid by all insured depository institutions and credit unions for which data is available. Any account that pays more than this would be considered above average or high.
Online banks typically pay more interest than brick-and-mortar banks. This is because they have fewer overhead costs. In addition, they need higher rates in order to attract more customers.
Debit cards generally do not earn rewards like a credit card. There are banks and credit unions however that provide cash back on certain debit cards. Terms depend on the bank and debit card program. Quontic offers Bitcoin rewards for debit card transactions.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.