Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Certificates of deposit do not trend on social media because they do not come with a trading thesis and they do not offer upside surprises. You hand over cash, you wait, and you get paid. In early 2026, that boring trade-off is exactly the point. CDs are one of the cleanest ways to lock in a known return at a moment when interest rates are still relatively high but no longer guaranteed to stay there. Th ...

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][5] 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 February 23, 2026, the highest savings account rate available is 4% APY, provided by SoFi and Valley Bank Direct [3] - The national average savings account rate is currently just 0.39%, while 1-year CDs average 1.61% [5] Group 2: Online Banks vs Traditional Banks - Most top savings rates are offered by online banks, which have lower overhead costs and can provide higher rates and lower fees to customers [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 the Right 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 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]

Saving and investing are both important for building a sound financial foundation, but they’re not the same thing. It’s important to know the differences, and when it’s best to save vs. when it’s best to invest. The biggest difference between saving and investing is the level of risk taken. Saving typically results in earning a lower return but with virtually no risk of losing your money. In contrast, investing offers the opportunity to earn a much higher return, but you take on the risk of loss. Here a ...

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 February 16, 2026, the highest savings account rate available is 4% APY, offered by institutions like SoFi, Valley Bank Direct, and Barclays [3] - The national average savings account rate is only 0.39%, while 1-year CDs average 1.61%, indicating a disparity between average rates and top offers [5] Group 2: Online Banks vs Traditional Banks - Most competitive savings rates are provided by online banks, which have lower overhead costs and can 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, 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]

Core Insights - Certificates of deposit (CDs) are regaining attention as a stable income-generating tool amid elevated interest rates, appealing to income-focused investors who prioritize predictability over flexibility [2][6] Group 1: Understanding CDs - A certificate of deposit is a time deposit with a fixed interest rate for a specific term, during which funds are generally inaccessible without penalty [3] - CDs are typically issued by federally insured banks and are protected by the FDIC for up to $250,000, ensuring the safety of principal and earned interest [4] - Brokered CDs can be obtained through brokerage firms, potentially offering higher rates, but investors should verify the legitimacy of the deposit with regulatory bodies [5] Group 2: Characteristics and Benefits of CDs - CDs provide predictable income through fixed interest rates and defined maturity dates, making them one of the lowest-risk income investments available [7] - The structure of CDs locks in both interest rates and maturity dates, shielding investors from market volatility while sacrificing some flexibility [6] - Key terms related to CDs include the length of the term, annual percentage yield (APY), and maturity date, which are essential for understanding their function in an income strategy [8]

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 February 9, 2026, the highest savings account rate available is 4% APY, offered by institutions such as SoFi, Valley Bank Direct, and Barclays [3] - The national average savings account rate is only 0.39%, while 1-year CDs average 1.61%, 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 and can offer higher rates and lower fees compared to traditional banks [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 the Right 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]

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve has cut the federal funds rate three times in 2024 and three times in 2025, leading to a decline in deposit interest rates, including money market account (MMA) rates [1] - The national average rate for MMAs is currently 0.56%, while top high-yield accounts offer rates exceeding 4% APY, significantly above the national average [2][9] Group 1: Money Market Account Rates - The importance of comparing MMA rates is emphasized as they vary widely among banks, particularly online banks and credit unions, which often provide competitive offers [3][4] - Online banks have lower overhead costs due to their web-based operations, allowing them to offer higher deposit rates and lower fees [4] - Credit unions, as not-for-profit entities, also provide competitive rates and fewer fees, although membership requirements may apply [5] Group 2: Benefits and Considerations of Money Market Accounts - Money market accounts are suitable for short-term savings goals, offering higher interest rates than regular savings accounts and easier access to funds compared to CDs [5] - They are considered low-risk and are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, making them safer than money market funds [6] - Many MMAs require a minimum balance to earn the highest advertised rate, and failure to maintain this balance may result in fees or lower rates [6][7] Group 3: Access and Usage of Funds - While MMAs allow for general access to funds, there may be limits on the number of transactions per month, which could be a consideration for those needing frequent access [7] - MMAs are recommended for individuals looking to earn more interest than a regular savings account without locking funds in a CD, provided they can maintain the minimum balance [7][8]

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][5] 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 February 2, 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 1.61% [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 - 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]

Core Insights - The bank maintained its position as a top 10 SBA 7(a) lender with nearly $580 million in funded originations in 2025 despite industry challenges [1] - The bank's initiatives in banking-as-a-service (BaaS) generated over $1.3 billion in new deposits during 2025, more than tripling the previous year [2] - A strategic sale of approximately $850 million in single-tenant lease financing loans to Blackstone strengthened the bank's capital and improved its rate-risk profile [3] - The company reported strong fourth-quarter results with a 21% increase in quarterly revenue and a 30% year-over-year growth in net interest income for 2025 [4] Financial Performance - Fourth-quarter net income was reported at $5.3 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, with adjusted net income of $5.6 million and adjusted EPS of $0.64 [13] - Adjusted total revenue for the fourth quarter was $42.1 million, reflecting a 21% increase from the same period in 2024 [14] - Non-interest income was $11.8 million, showing growth from the prior year, driven by fintech partnership fee revenue [15] Credit Metrics and Provisions - Credit issues are concentrated in SBA and franchise finance, leading to a higher provision outlook for 2026 of $50 million to $53 million [5][9] - Non-performing loans (NPLs) rose to $58.5 million, with an NPL-to-total loans ratio of 1.56% [16] - The allowance for credit losses (ACL) was 1.49% of total loans, with a small business lending ACL to unguaranteed balances at 7.34% [17] 2026 Outlook - The bank is guiding for net interest income of $30.3 million for 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of about 29% [19] - Loan growth is projected at 15% to 17%, with a net interest margin expected to reach 2.75% to 2.80% by the fourth quarter of 2026 [20] - Management expects gradual improvement in credit quality in the second half of 2026 as problem loans are resolved [9][12]

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][5] 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] - The national average savings account rate is currently just 0.39%, while 1-year CDs average 1.63% [5] - The highest savings account rates available as of January 19, 2026, are offered by SoFi, Valley Bank Direct, and Barclays at 4% APY [3][4] Group 2: Online Banks vs Traditional Banks - Most top savings rates are provided by online banks, which have lower overhead costs and can offer higher rates and lower fees compared to traditional banks [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, factors beyond interest rates should be considered, such as minimum balance requirements, customer service, ATM access, and digital banking tools [6][7] - It is essential to ensure that the savings account is insured by the FDIC or NCUA for protection against institutional failure [7]