- Understand the current bank rate environment
- Research different banks and their rates
- Consider opening a high-yield savings account
- Make sure to read the fine print of any new accounts you open
- Take advantage of promotional offers from banks
- Automate your savings with direct deposits or transfers from other accounts
- Monitor your accounts regularly to take advantage of rising rates
- Don’t forget about online banking options for higher interest rates
Understand the current bank rate environment
Although it can seem like a hassle, moving your savings by opening a new account and closing an old one can pay off. Some banks have improved their terms for savers as the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates to cool inflation. Though the increases may seem small, compounding interest can add up over the years. Even if you only have modest savings in your bank account, you could make significant gains over the long term by finding an account with a better rate.
While the interest rates on savings accounts for major national banks remain low (average 0.23% according to Bankrate), some midsize and smaller banks have made changes that align more with the Federal Reserve’s moves. Online banks, which don’t have physical branches and associated costs, are offering higher annual percentage yields ranging from 3-4%, with some going even higher, including 4% or more on one-year certificates of deposit. Promotional bets can even reach 5%, but it can not compare with the payouts and 1xBet real money casino games online There you can win if you follow the strategies and 10% or even 20% without much risk.
Research different banks and their rates
You can open a high-yield account at another bank and still use your old bank account. This is possible because of online banking. Several institutions have low minimums, as low as $1. To start the process, move some money from your checking account into another account. The amount you move has to be at least a certain amount.
Consider opening a high-yield savings account
According to Sarah Foster from Bankrate, many Americans are unaware of the benefits of high-yield savings accounts with significantly higher interest rates. Consumers tend to have long relationships with their banks and trust in larger banks, which have plenty of deposits and therefore do not feel the need to offer better rates to attract customers. However, Foster notes that high-yield savings accounts from online banks are just as safe as traditional banks, as long as they are FDIC-insured up to $250,000, which can be checked at FDIC.gov.
Make sure to read the fine print of any new accounts you open
If you have had the same bank for a while, you might feel comfortable there. Your bank might give you benefits like not charging for using ATMs or managing your account. You can also earn money back with your bank. You can set up a direct deposit so that money comes to you quickly and automatically.
Take advantage of promotional offers from banks
If you don’t want to dedicate too much time and energy, you can take the process slowly or simply opt out. This is a good chance to look at how much money you are spending. You could stop paying for subscriptions, payments, or services you don’t need. Try and talk to people about reducing bills and expenses. Some people want to go into banks instead of banking online, so that is an option too.
To illustrate how interest rates can impact your savings, let’s take an example. If you invest $500 in one of the big five banks with an interest rate of 0.23%, you will earn $1.15 in one year, $5.78 in five years, $11.62 in ten years, and $29.56 in 25 years, assuming you don’t add or withdraw anything.
Automate your savings with direct deposits or transfers from other accounts
However, if you put the same $500 in a high-yield savings account with a 4% interest rate, you will earn $20 after one year, $108.33 after five years, $240.12 after ten years, and $832.92 after 25 years, assuming you don’t add or withdraw anything.