Best high-yield savings interest rates today, October 21, 2025 (Earn up to 4.36% APY)

Core Insights - High-yield savings account rates are currently declining, but some accounts still offer rates above 4% APY, necessitating research to find competitive offers [1][2] - The average interest rate for traditional savings accounts is only 0.40%, while the highest rate available is 4.36% APY from HealthcareBank as of October 21, 2025 [2] Historical Trends - Savings account interest rates have seen significant fluctuations over the past decade, with rates between 0.06% to 0.10% from 2010 to 2015 due to the 2008 financial crisis and the Federal Reserve's near-zero target rate [3] - From 2015 to 2018, rates gradually increased but remained low historically, followed by a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing rates down to around 0.05% to 0.06% by mid-2021 [4] - Rates have recovered since 2021 due to the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes in response to inflation, but recent cuts in the federal funds rate have led to a decline in deposit rates [5] Savings Account Suitability - High-yield savings accounts are suitable for short-term savings goals such as emergency funds or vacations, while long-term goals may require higher returns than what savings accounts can provide [5][6] - Other deposit accounts like money markets and CDs may offer competitive rates but often come with withdrawal restrictions, emphasizing the importance of finding accounts with low or no fees [6]