Best high-yield savings interest rates today, February 17, 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][2] Group 1: Current Savings Rates - The average interest rate on traditional savings accounts is currently 0.39%, while high-yield accounts can offer significantly higher rates [2] - As of February 17, 2026, the highest savings account rate available 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 between 0.06% to 0.10% from 2010 to 2015 due to the 2008 financial crisis and the Federal Reserve's low target rate [3] - From 2015 to 2018, rates began to rise gradually but remained low historically; the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused another sharp decline, bringing rates down to around 0.05% to 0.06% by mid-2021 [4] Group 3: Recent Developments - Following the Fed's interest rate hikes in response to inflation, savings account rates recovered significantly; 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 home down payments, while long-term goals may require different investment strategies due to lower returns [6]