{"slug":"best-high-yield-savings-account","title":"Best high-yield savings account","question":"What are the best high-yield savings accounts in 2026?","verdict":"As of 2026-07-02, ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini collectively rank Marcus by Goldman Sachs #1 for high-yield savings account on ModelsAgree by aggregate score, though no single model picks it first. The models' case: Consistently competitive APY, no fees and no minimums, trusted Goldman Sachs backing, clean app, and useful extras like same-day transfers up to a limit and a savings. The models' main caveat: Add a checking/ATM and cash-deposit option so it functions as a full banking hub instead of savings-only, and push the APY to match the fintech. The strongest alternative is SoFi — Provides up to 3.80% APY, no account fees, a comprehensive financial app, and up to $2M in FDIC insurance with no minimum balance. Not unanimous: ChatGPT picks Newtek Bank; Claude picks Openbank; Gemini picks Wealthfront. Source: https://modelsagree.com/best/best-high-yield-savings-account (modelsagree.com, CC BY 4.0).","category":"Money","url":"https://modelsagree.com/best/best-high-yield-savings-account","updated":"2026-07-02","models":["ChatGPT","Claude","Gemini"],"consensus":"0 of 3 models rank Marcus by Goldman Sachs the top pick","disagreement":"ChatGPT picks Newtek Bank; Claude picks Openbank; Gemini picks Wealthfront","combined":[{"rank":1,"product":"Marcus by Goldman Sachs","domain":"marcus.com","score":6,"appearances":2,"modelRanks":{"Claude":2,"Gemini":4},"reason":"Consistently competitive APY, no fees and no minimums, trusted Goldman Sachs backing, clean app, and useful extras like same-day transfers up to a limit and a savings bonus for referrals."},{"rank":2,"product":"SoFi","domain":"sofi.com","score":6,"appearances":2,"modelRanks":{"Claude":4,"Gemini":2},"reason":"Provides up to 3.80% APY, no account fees, a comprehensive financial app, and up to $2M in FDIC insurance with no minimum balance."},{"rank":3,"product":"Newtek Bank","domain":"newtekbank.com","score":5,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":1},"reason":"Top-tier 4%+ APY, no monthly fee, no opening minimum, FDIC-insured, simple nationwide online access"},{"rank":4,"product":"Openbank","domain":"openbank.us","score":5,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Claude":1},"reason":"One of the top APYs among major-bank-backed accounts, FDIC-insured through Santander, no minimum balance and no monthly fees, fully digital with strong mobile app, and the backing of a global bank reduces \"fintech risk.\""},{"rank":5,"product":"Wealthfront","domain":"wealthfront.com","score":5,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Gemini":1},"reason":"Offers a high 3.30% base APY (boosted up to 4.05% via referrals), check-writing privileges, debit card access, and $8M in FDIC insurance."},{"rank":6,"product":"Vio Bank","domain":"viobank.com","score":4,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":2},"reason":"Very competitive APY, low $100 opening minimum, no monthly fee, FDIC-insured through MidFirst Bank"},{"rank":7,"product":"American Express","domain":"americanexpress.com","score":3,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Claude":3},"reason":"Rock-solid brand trust, no fees or minimums, reliable APY that doesn't chase-and-drop, excellent customer service, and seamless integration for existing Amex cardholders."},{"rank":8,"product":"Bread Savings","domain":"breadfinancial.com","score":3,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":3},"reason":"Consistently competitive APY, no monthly fee, straightforward online account, low $100 minimum, FDIC-insured"},{"rank":9,"product":"CIT Bank","domain":"cit.com","score":3,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Gemini":3},"reason":"Delivers a top-tier 4.10% promotional APY with no monthly maintenance fees and a secure, established online banking platform."},{"rank":10,"product":"Ally Bank","domain":"ally.com","score":2,"appearances":2,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":5,"Claude":5},"reason":"Best overall user experience among major HYSAs, no monthly fee or minimum, excellent buckets/boosters, reliable transfers and customer support"},{"rank":11,"product":"EverBank","domain":"everbank.com","score":2,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":4},"reason":"Strong APY from a more established full-service online bank, no monthly maintenance fee, good mobile access, FDIC insurance"},{"rank":12,"product":"Capital One 360","domain":"capitalone.com","score":1,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Gemini":5},"reason":"Combines a stable 3.00% APY with fee-free accounts, no minimums, and access to physical Capital One Cafés and branches."}],"perModel":{"ChatGPT":[{"rank":1,"product":"Newtek Bank","reason":"Top-tier 4%+ APY, no monthly fee, no opening minimum, FDIC-insured, simple nationwide online access","fix":"Add stronger savings tools and a more proven consumer-banking app experience"},{"rank":2,"product":"Vio Bank","reason":"Very competitive APY, low $100 opening minimum, no monthly fee, FDIC-insured through MidFirst Bank","fix":"Improve its dated digital experience and transfer/servicing polish"},{"rank":3,"product":"Bread Savings","reason":"Consistently competitive APY, no monthly fee, straightforward online account, low $100 minimum, FDIC-insured","fix":"Lower or remove the opening minimum and add richer money-management features"},{"rank":4,"product":"EverBank","reason":"Strong APY from a more established full-service online bank, no monthly maintenance fee, good mobile access, FDIC insurance","fix":"Raise the APY closer to the very top no-fee leaders"},{"rank":5,"product":"Ally Bank","reason":"Best overall user experience among major HYSAs, no monthly fee or minimum, excellent buckets/boosters, reliable transfers and customer support","fix":"Increase the APY to match the highest-rate online banks"}],"Claude":[{"rank":1,"product":"Openbank","reason":"One of the top APYs among major-bank-backed accounts, FDIC-insured through Santander, no minimum balance and no monthly fees, fully digital with strong mobile app, and the backing of a global bank reduces \"fintech risk.\"","fix":"Drop the requirement that the top rate is promotional/relationship-tiered and guarantee the headline APY long-term rather than letting it step down after the intro period."},{"rank":2,"product":"Marcus by Goldman Sachs","reason":"Consistently competitive APY, no fees and no minimums, trusted Goldman Sachs backing, clean app, and useful extras like same-day transfers up to a limit and a savings bonus for referrals.","fix":"Add a checking/ATM and cash-deposit option so it functions as a full banking hub instead of savings-only, and push the APY to match the fintech leaders."},{"rank":3,"product":"American Express","reason":"Rock-solid brand trust, no fees or minimums, reliable APY that doesn't chase-and-drop, excellent customer service, and seamless integration for existing Amex cardholders.","fix":"Speed up its notoriously slow external transfer times and raise the APY, which typically trails the leading online banks by a few tenths of a point."},{"rank":4,"product":"SoFi","reason":"High APY when you set up direct deposit, combines checking + savings with no fees, up to $2M in FDIC coverage via partner-bank sweep, early paycheck access, and a strong all-in-one app with vaults and tools.","fix":"Stop gating the top APY behind a direct-deposit requirement so users who can't reroute their paycheck still earn the headline rate."},{"rank":5,"product":"Ally Bank","reason":"Long-trusted online bank, no fees or minimums, \"buckets\" and \"boosters\" savings tools, strong reputation and customer service, and a full ecosystem of checking, savings, and investing.","fix":"Raise its APY, which has slipped below top-tier competitors, to reclaim its former rate-leader position."}],"Gemini":[{"rank":1,"product":"Wealthfront","reason":"Offers a high 3.30% base APY (boosted up to 4.05% via referrals), check-writing privileges, debit card access, and $8M in FDIC insurance.","fix":"Elevate the standard base APY to match the promotional rates of competitors without requiring referrals or direct deposits."},{"rank":2,"product":"SoFi","reason":"Provides up to 3.80% APY, no account fees, a comprehensive financial app, and up to $2M in FDIC insurance with no minimum balance.","fix":"Remove the direct deposit or $5,000 monthly deposit requirement to unlock the highest interest rate tier."},{"rank":3,"product":"CIT Bank","reason":"Delivers a top-tier 4.10% promotional APY with no monthly maintenance fees and a secure, established online banking platform.","fix":"Drop the strict $5,000 minimum balance requirement needed to earn the highest APY tier."},{"rank":4,"product":"Marcus by Goldman Sachs","reason":"Features a consistent 3.40% APY with no fees, no minimum deposit, same-day transfers, and a highly polished mobile interface.","fix":"Add integrated checking features like mobile check deposit or a debit card for direct account access."},{"rank":5,"product":"Capital One 360","reason":"Combines a stable 3.00% APY with fee-free accounts, no minimums, and access to physical Capital One Cafés and branches.","fix":"Increase the APY to narrow the gap with digital-only competitor rates."}]},"missedByModel":{"ChatGPT":[{"product":"Varo Savings Account","reason":"headline APY is excellent but capped and requirement-heavy"},{"product":"Poppy Bank Premier Online Savings","reason":"strong APY but higher minimum and less proven national consumer footprint"}],"Claude":[{"product":"CIT Bank","reason":"top-tier APY but requires a $5,000 balance to earn the best rate, penalizing smaller savers"}],"Gemini":[{"product":"Varo Savings Account","reason":"requires meeting complex monthly activity rules to earn its highest APY, otherwise dropping to a negligible base rate"},{"product":"Ally Bank","reason":"offers innovative goal-bucket features and zero fees but lags behind top competitors with a 3.00% APY"}]}}