According to a 2017 survey, 57% of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts. The lack of a financial cushion can cause stress, making it difficult to manage unexpected expenses.
If you want to grow your savings, you’ll need to analyze your financial situation, set goals, choose a savings account, and implement your plan. When it comes to finding the right financial institution, there are many factors to consider. Here’s an in-depth look at savings accounts and how to find the best one to help you achieve your goals.
What is a savings account?
A savings account is a federally-insured, interest-bearing deposit account held by a bank or other financial institution. It is a safe place to store cash and earn modest returns.
Why open a savings account?
A savings account enables you to separate the money you want to save from the money you want to spend. The saved money becomes less accessible than the money in your checking account, as Federal law limits you to six transfers or withdrawals from your savings each month. If you exceed this limit, there is typically a fee.
In addition to helping you save, your savings account also earns you a small return each year on the money kept in the account. However, if you consistently surpass transfer limits, the bank may convert your account into a non-interest earning checking account.
What is the difference between a savings account and a checking account?
A checking account is more fluid, designed for everyday transactions. On the other hand, the money in a savings account should stay put and earn interest.
What are the different types of savings accounts?
If you are looking to open a savings account, be sure to choose the type that suits your needs. Here are your options:
Regular savings accounts
Regular savings accounts are found at most banks and the easiest to set up. They often have a minimum balance requirement, allow for transfers from a checking account, and have low interest rates. Federal law limits withdrawals and transfers to six per month (excluding ATM withdrawals and transfers).
Money Market accounts
Money Market accounts are part of the financial market and have very short maturities. Insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), they are a secure place to invest. These accounts typically have a higher minimum balance requirement and significantly higher interest returns than a regular savings account.
Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
CDs are another popular type of savings account. They are savings certificates with FDIC insurance which pay interest throughout the length of the investment. Maturity dates range from a few months to five years. The longer the term, the more interest you can earn. Note that there are restrictions on when you can withdraw money, and if you withdraw before the maturity date, you will be fined.
Automatic savings plans
Automatic savings accounts make it easy to save by making automatic monthly transfers from your checking to your savings. You can choose the dollar amount you want to transfer and the events that trigger the transfer (e.g. your payday). Some banks will offer lower banking fees when you sign up for an automatic savings plan.
Online savings accounts
Originally, only online-only banks offered online savings accounts. Today, though, many traditional banks also offer them. These accounts accept deposits remotely, often have no minimum balance requirements, have few to no monthly fees, and offer higher interest yields on deposits. Simply open an account online to get started.
To make your initial deposit, you’ll need to link a checking account to the savings account, and you can usually make deposits from other sources afterward. An online savings account is a good fit for you if you are tech-savvy and comfortable handling your savings account without in-person service.
Student savings accounts
Student savings accounts are designed for students who don’t make much money yet. They typically don’t charge fees or minimum balance requirements. Once the student graduates, the student will need to convert the account into a regular savings account.
Goal-Oriented savings accounts
While you can set goals with any type of savings account, some banks offer accounts designed to help you achieve specific goals like buying a car or home. They don’t necessarily help you earn more on your savings, but separate funds for the goal from other money and track progress toward the goal. This mainly offers a psychological benefit.
How to compare savings accounts
What should you consider when comparing savings accounts? Here are the main factors:
- Interest rate yields
- How often the interest rates change
- Minimum deposit requirements (for the account, to earn the top yield, and to waive the monthly fee)
- Restrictions on withdrawals or transfers
- Account features
- Procedures for closing an account
- Quality of customer service
- Availability of branches
- Fees (overdraft, deposited item returned fee, incoming wire transfer fee)
The ideal account would have an interest rate on the higher end that doesn’t fluctuate too often, a low minimum deposit requirement, minimal fees, great customer service, and minimal restrictions/penalties on withdrawals or transfers.
It would also offer access online and in-person. You may have to sacrifice some of these features for others in your search, such as a higher interest rate for online-only banking, so prioritize what is most important to you and then look for the institution that can provide the best offer.
Review and compare savings accounts here.
How much will I earn in a savings account?
The amount you can earn in depends on the interest rate you get and the amount of money you deposit. According to CNN Money, the average savings account has a 0.06% annual percentage yield, while many big banks pay 0.01%. That means if you have $10,000 in a savings account, the average you’ll earn back over a year’s time is $60.
However, according to Consumer Reports, online banks pay an average of 0.93% interest and some pay up to 1.6%. If you land an interest rate of 1%, you will earn $100 on $10,000 after a year.
Online banks have greatly increased their interest rates over the past few years as they compete to win customers. Traditional banks still hope they can win over customers through the access to branches and ATMs.
What banks have the best interest rates for savings accounts?
Currently, online banks offer interest rates that are substantially higher than traditional banks due to their low overhead and the competition among them. The annual percentage yields top out around 1.65%, with online banks averaging around 0.93% and traditional banks averaging around 0.06%.
What fees should I expect?
Here are the common fees associated with savings accounts.
When shopping for a savings account, be sure to find out which fees each institution charges and the amount of each fee.
Should I open an online savings account?
Given that they offer the most competitive interest rates, an online savings account may seem like the obvious choice. However, they do come with a few inconveniences. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of both online and traditional savings accounts.
Choose the right savings account for you
A low-interest traditional savings account will be best for you if you prefer a face-to-face personalized banking experience and you want services beyond a savings account.
But if you are comfortable with technology and don’t require in-person interactions for your banking needs, an online account can offer you higher yields and more convenience.
You can also find a cross of the two if you’d like some of the benefits of both.
Ready to get started? SuperMoney has compiled side-by-side ratings and reviews of the top savings accounts available to you. Do your research to find the right account to suit your needs!
Andrew is the managing editor for SuperMoney and a certified personal finance counselor. He loves to geek out on financial data and translate it into actionable insights everyone can understand. His work is often cited by major publications and institutions, such as Forbes, U.S. News, Fox Business, SFGate, Realtor, Deloitte, and Business Insider.
