High-Yield Savings Account: What It Is And What To Consider Before Choosing One

High-yield savings accounts are sort of a deposit account that is available online as well as brick-and-mortar institutions. Financial tools such as these shell out a higher rate of interest than traditional savings accounts and mostly proffer better returns than checking accounts. However, a higher rate of interest is not the only factor that set this type of deposit account apart from the rest. There are a couple of other financial benefits, too, such as higher APYs and no or negligible fees attached.

Benefits Of Having A High-Yield Account

Since high-yield accounts usually furnish substantially higher rates of interest than traditional savings accounts, you can rake in a bigger sum and attain your savings goals much faster than you can expect. These accounts have no or insignificant fees attached to them as far as non-sufficient funds are concerned. And, of course, safety is the cornerstone of high-yield savings accounts. They offer you a secure place to pile up your cash while garnering interest and is indeed a good option to store funds for large expenses, short-term savings goals, and emergencies. The following are the three most important factors you should keep in mind while seeking out a high-yield savings account.

Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

The annual percentage yield is definitely one of the most important considerations while choosing a high-yield savings account. APY notifies you of how much much you will garner with compound interest throughout a year. It’s the interest that you earn on the initial deposit apart from other interest earnings. The higher the APYs, better for you. However, it’s also essential to weigh the APY against all the requirements to warrant the yield. The compounding method of an APY is its other integral component. You can seek accounts that generally compound on a yearly, quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily basis as well. Opting for an account that compounds daily would prove more beneficial in the long run. If your interest compounds persistently, your savings are bound to accentuate at a faster pace.

Know About Opening Deposit

The minimum deposit, often termed as an opening deposit, can prove to be the key factor while opting for the best high-yield savings account. The amounts differ from bank to bank. While some may not require anything to open an account, some quote a deposit of $10,000 or even more than that. Before deciding practically how much you can invest, it’s imperative to consider your budget. If you are aiming at a particular objective, find out first how much you really intend to save and over how long. The greater the investment, the better the interest rate, and the faster the compound interest will help you attain whatever financial goals you have set for yourself. But it’s always best to opt for an account that requires you to make a financial commitment much ahead of time. Accounts that ask for a higher minimum deposit might proffer a higher yield. However, that’s not the case every time. Check out the minimum requirements at various institutions before you think of opening an account. FYI, the best high-yield savings accounts ask you to shell out a minimum deposit of $100 or even less than that.

You Might Have To Maintain A Minimum Balance

Just like a minimum deposit, some high-yield savings accounts require a minimum balance to earn the APY or avoid fees. All banks charge a common fee for not maintaining the minimum account balance which is referred to as a monthly maintenance fee. But the banks will waive the fee if you maintain the minimum balance that’s required. Minimum balance requirements of different high-yield savings accounts can vary from nothing to more than $10,000.

Remember that online banks usually proffer higher interest rates and provide better benefits on a high-yield savings account than national brick-and-mortar institutions. They don’t have the costs that are generally associated with these institutions and can extend the savings to their customers in the form of higher yields. Banks have their own stipulations for transfer and withdrawal of funds. Before you sign up, make sure that you have all the details of an account at your fingertips. Savings accounts with an apposite yield accelerate the growth of your money, and that’s what should matter to you at the end of the day.