Best high-yield savings interest rates today, January 13, 2026 (Earn up to 4% APY)

Core Insights - High-yield savings account rates have been declining, yet some accounts still offer rates above 4% APY, necessitating research to find competitive offers [1] Group 1: Current Savings Rates - The average interest rate on traditional savings accounts is currently 0.39% as per FDIC data, while high-yield accounts can offer significantly higher rates [2] - As of January 13, 2026, the highest savings account rate available from partners is 4% APY, provided by SoFi, Valley Bank Direct, and Barclays [2] Group 2: Historical Trends - Savings account interest rates have varied over the past decade, with rates from 2010 to 2015 remaining low at around 0.06% to 0.10% due to the 2008 financial crisis and the Federal Reserve's near-zero target rate [3] - From 2015 to 2018, interest rates began to rise gradually but remained low historically; the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused another sharp decline, bringing rates down to approximately 0.05% to 0.06% by mid-2021 [4] Group 3: Recent Developments - Since mid-2021, savings account rates have improved significantly due to the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes in response to rising inflation; however, the Fed lowered the federal funds rate towards the end of 2024 and throughout 2025, leading to a steady decline in deposit rates [5] Group 4: Account Suitability - High-yield savings accounts are suitable for short-term savings goals such as emergency funds or vacations, allowing easy access to funds; other deposit accounts like money markets and CDs may offer competitive rates but with withdrawal restrictions [6]