Core Insights - The Federal Reserve has cut the federal funds rate three times in 2025, leading to a decline in deposit account rates, making it crucial for savers to seek high-yield savings accounts to maximize interest earnings [1] Group 1: Savings Account Rates - High-yield savings accounts can offer interest rates as high as 4% APY, significantly above the national average [2][3] - As of January 12, 2026, the highest savings account rate available from partners is 4% APY, offered by institutions like SoFi, Valley Bank Direct, and Barclays [3] - The national average savings account rate is currently just 0.39%, while 1-year CDs average 1.63%, indicating a substantial gap between average and top rates [5] Group 2: Online Banks vs. Traditional Banks - Most top savings rates are provided by online banks, which have lower overhead costs compared to traditional banks, allowing them to offer higher rates and lower fees [4] - Despite recent rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, traditional savings accounts and CDs are still offering some of the highest interest rates seen in over a decade [4] Group 3: Choosing a Savings Account - When selecting a savings account, it is essential to compare rates and consider factors such as minimum balance requirements, customer service, ATM access, and digital banking tools [6][7] - Ensuring that the savings account is insured by the FDIC or NCUA is critical for protecting deposits in case of institutional failure [7]

Today’s savings account rates still hover well above the national average. The Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate three times in 2024 and three times in 2025. This means deposit account rates are also on the decline. It's more important than ever to ensure you're earning the highest rate possible on your savings, and a high-yield savings account could be the solution. These accounts pay more interest than the typical savings account — as much as 4% APY and higher in some cases. Not sure where to f ...

Core Insights - The best financial decision for holiday bonuses depends on the interest rates of student loans compared to high-yield savings accounts or CDs [1][4][9] Student Loans - Interest rates for undergraduate student loans taken out between mid-2006 and 2025 range from 2.75% to 6.8%, while rates for graduate students and other borrowers are typically higher [3] - If student loan interest rates exceed 5%, using bonuses to pay down loans is financially beneficial [4] Savings Accounts and CDs - As of December 17, 2025, the top rate for a one-year CD is 4.3%, and the best APY for a high-yield savings account is 5% [3] - High-yield savings accounts offer more flexibility for withdrawals compared to CDs, which require funds to be locked in for a specified term [8] Emergency Funds - Building an emergency fund is crucial, especially for those who lack cash reserves, to avoid reliance on high-interest debt sources [5][9] - Many individuals have struggled to accumulate emergency savings this year, making it important to prioritize this aspect [7] Tax Implications - Interest earned from CDs or high-yield savings accounts is subject to income tax, while paying down student loans does not incur taxes [9] Payment Strategies - Extra payments on student loans can help reduce overall interest and accelerate repayment, but borrowers should ensure payments are applied to the principal balance [10][12] - For borrowers on income-driven repayment plans, unpaid interest can increase the principal balance, extending repayment time and total interest paid [11]

Core Insights - The average Social Security retirement benefit for a retired worker is $2,008 per month, equating to $24,000 annually, which is insufficient for most Americans to live comfortably in retirement without additional income sources [1][4]. Group 1: Social Security Benefits and Concerns - The Social Security retirement program is projected to face insolvency, leading to a potential 23% cut in benefits for beneficiaries when today's 59-year-olds reach full retirement age [2][3]. - More than half (52%) of working Americans expect to rely on Social Security benefits for necessary expenses in retirement, with 28% expecting to be "very reliant" on these benefits [4]. - The average retired household spends approximately $5,400 per month, or $65,000 annually, indicating that Social Security benefits alone are inadequate for covering retirement expenses [5]. Group 2: Retirement Planning and Income Diversification - Social Security was designed to be part of a broader retirement plan, which should include pensions, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and personal savings [6]. - Various retirement savings options include employer-sponsored accounts like 401(k)s, traditional IRAs, high-interest deposit accounts, dividend-paying stocks, annuities, and real estate investments [7][8][9][10][11][12]. - Consulting with a qualified financial advisor is recommended to develop a comprehensive retirement strategy that minimizes reliance on Social Security [13].

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve has cut the federal funds rate three times in both 2024 and 2025, leading to a decline in deposit account rates, making it crucial for savers to seek high-yield savings accounts [1][5] - High-yield savings accounts can offer interest rates as high as 4% APY or more, significantly above the national average [2][3] - The highest savings account rate available as of December 22, 2025, is 4.3% APY from SoFi, with most competitive rates coming from online banks due to lower overhead costs [3][4] Savings Account Rates - The national average savings account rate is currently at 0.39%, while 1-year CDs average 1.63% [5] - Despite recent rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, high-yield savings accounts and CDs are offering some of the highest interest rates seen in over a decade [4][5] Choosing a Savings Account - It is essential for consumers to compare rates and account features from various financial institutions to secure the best deal [6] - Factors to consider include minimum balance requirements, customer service, ATM and branch access, digital banking tools, and the financial stability of the institution [7] - Ensuring that the savings account is insured by the FDIC or NCUA is critical for protecting deposits [7]

Find out how much you could earn with today’s savings rates. Interest rates on savings accounts have been falling, so it’s important to be sure you’re getting the best rate possible when shopping around for a savings account. The following is a breakdown of savings interest rates today and where to find the best offers. Overview of savings interest rates today The national average savings account rate stands at 0.39%, according to the FDIC. This might not seem like much, but consider that three years ag ...

Today’s savings account rates still hover well above the national average. The Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate three times in 2024 and three times in 2025. This means deposit account rates are also on the decline. It's more important than ever to ensure you're earning the highest rate possible on your savings, and a high-yield savings account could be the solution. These accounts pay more interest than the typical savings account — as much as 4% APY and higher in some cases. Not sure where to f ...

Core Viewpoint - Wealthfront, an American automated investment service company, raised $484.6 million in its IPO, selling 21.5 million shares at $14 each, marking the high end of its previously announced price range of $12-14 [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Wealthfront is known for its user-friendly automated investment products and its appeal to younger customers through its online platform [1] - The company provides diversified portfolio management services using algorithms, lowering the barriers to traditional investment consulting [1] - In addition to its core investment business, Wealthfront offers high-yield savings accounts to enhance user engagement and diversify revenue sources [1] Group 2: Financial Performance - For the six months ending July 31, the company reported revenue of $175.6 million and a net profit of $60.7 million, compared to $145.9 million in revenue and $132.3 million in net profit in the same period last year [2] - The net profit for the six months includes a tax provision of $13.3 million, while the same period in 2024 is expected to benefit from a tax advantage of $541 million; adjusted EBITDA grew by 16% year-over-year [2] Group 3: Market Context - The current IPO window in the U.S. is short, as companies are eager to list before potential delays caused by a government shutdown [2] - Regulatory bodies are processing a backlog of IPO applications following the end of the shutdown in November [2]

Core Insights - Current savings account rates are significantly above the national average, but are expected to decline due to Federal Reserve rate cuts [1][5] - High-yield savings accounts offer competitive interest rates, with some reaching up to 4% APY or higher [2][3] - Online banks typically provide the best savings rates due to lower overhead costs [3][4] Savings Account Rates - As of December 8, 2025, the highest savings account rate available is 4.3% APY from SoFi [3] - The national average savings account rate is only 0.40%, while 1-year CDs average 1.68% [5] - Despite recent Federal Reserve rate cuts, current rates for high-yield savings accounts are among the highest seen in over a decade [4][5] Choosing a Savings Account - It is crucial to compare rates and account features from various financial institutions to secure the best deal [6] - Factors to consider include minimum balance requirements, customer service, ATM access, and digital banking tools [7] - Ensuring that the savings account is insured by the FDIC or NCUA is essential for protecting deposits [7]

There’s nothing like that feeling of receiving a year-end bonus. For many people, it’s money they weren’t planning on, so there’s a world of possibilities of what they can do with the cash. American firms gave out relatively generous bonuses in 2024, with the average being $2,503, according to Gusto. The amount represented a 2% increase from the average 2023 year-end bonus. Regardless of the amount, a year-end bonus can be a powerful tool to improve your finances. Consider using one of these impactful way ...