Best high-yield checking accounts for July 2025

Written by

Karen Bennett

Edited by

Yuliya Goldshteyn

Reviewed by

Thomas Brock, CFA, CPA

Expert verified

Rates updated between July 10 and July 16

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A high-yield checking account allows you to handle everyday financial transactions while earning a competitive rate of return. The best high-yield checking accounts have manageable requirements to earn the annual percentage yield (APY), low fees and low minimum deposit requirements.

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Table of contents

Bankrate’s picks for the top high-yield checking accounts
The competition: Other high-yield checking accounts you can consider
What is a high-yield checking account?
Are high-yield checking accounts worth it?
What to look for in a high-yield checking account
Pros and cons of high-yield checking accounts
High-yield checking account FAQs
Research methodology

Bankrate’s picks for the top high-yield checking accounts

Note: Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown are as of June 23, 2025 and may vary by region for some products. Bankrate includes only Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) banks or National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) credit unions in its listings.

Presidential Bank's Advantage Checking Account

4.3

Overview

Those looking for one of the highest yields out there need look no further than Presidential Bank and its Advantage Checking Account. It offers 4.62 percent APY on balances under $25,000; anything over earns a lower interest rate — but even that yield of 3.62 percent APY is higher than the other picks on this list. This account does have requirements to earn the rate and is best suited for those who use their checking account to pay bills and withdraw cash throughout the month.

Read Bankrate's Expert Presidential Bank Review

Up to 4.62% APY

$500 minimum opening deposit

- Set up direct deposits of $500 or more.
- Make at least seven withdrawals each month through ATMs, bill payments, Automated Clearing House (ACH) or Point-of-Sale (POS) withdrawals.
- If the direct deposit and electronic withdrawal requirements are not met in a given month, the rate earned will be only 0.10 percent.
- The bank will charge you a $5 monthly service fee if your daily balance falls below $500 at any time during the statement cycle.

TAB Bank, TAB Spend Account

4.8

Overview

Offering a highly competitive APY, the TAB Spend Account is a good option for those looking to maximize rewards from their checking account because along with a 3.50 percent APY, you'll also earn 1 percent cash back on debit card purchases. And there are no requirements to earn the top rate with this account. There are also no monthly maintenance fees and no minimum deposit required to open or maintain the account, ensuring that your money is working as hard as it can for you. Another benefit of this account is fee-free withdrawals at MoneyPass ATMs nationwide.

Read Bankrate's Expert TAB Bank Review

3.50% APY

$0 minimum opening deposit

- None; you earn 3.50 percent APY as long as the account maintains a minimum balance of $0.01.
- TAB Bank doesn’t reimburse out-of-network ATM fees.

Lake Michigan Credit Union, Max Checking Account

4.7

Overview

Lake Michigan Credit Union’s Max Checking Account pays a stellar APY of 3 percent. The catch is, you’ll have to meet some requirements every month to qualify for it, including setting up direct deposits, using your debit card to make purchases and logging in to mobile banking. If you’re a heavy debit card user, and like to check up on your checking account balance often, this account could be worthwhile for you.

Anyone can join the credit union and open this account online; membership isn’t restricted to people living in certain states or working for certain companies.

Read Bankrate's Expert Lake Michigan Credit Union Review

3.00% APY

$0 minimum opening deposit

- One or more direct deposit each month
- At least 10 debit card transactions per month
- At least 4 logins to online or mobile banking per month
- Be enrolled in electronic statements
- The Max Checking Account doesn’t pay any interest on the portion of your balance above $15,000.

Bank5 Connect, High-Interest Checking

4.8

Overview

While the 2 percent APY that the Bank5 Connect High-Interest Checking Account offers isn't the highest on this list, it is still a competitive yield for a checking account. Alongside the robust yield, the account stands out for reimbursing up to $15 per statement cycle for out-of-network bank fees, making this account great for those who need frequent access to their cash without worrying about extra fees.

To boot, there are no monthly maintenance fees, and the minimum opening deposit is accessible, at just $10 — though you'll need a balance of at least $100 to earn the APY.

Read Bankrate's Expert Bank5 Connect Review

2.00% APY

$10 minimum opening deposit

- Maintain a balance of $100 or more to earn the 2 percent APY.
- There is a $1 paper statement fee for the account, but you can avoid it by opting into free eStatements.

NBKC, Everything Account

4.9

Overview

For those that want a streamlined account experience, the NBKC Everything Account is a fee-free hybrid checking and savings account that earns 1.75 percent APY across your checking and savings balances. There are no requirements to earn that rate, plus no monthly fees and no overdraft charges. Customers are also reimbursed up to $12 per month for out-of-network ATM fees, making this a great option for those who need periodic or constant access to their cash conveniently.

Read Bankrate's Expert NBKC Review

1.75% APY

$0 minimum opening deposit

- None; you earn 1.75 percent APY on all balances.
- Though the account bills itself as a hybrid checking/savings account, you can find much better rates on savings elsewhere.

Quontic Bank, High-Interest Checking Account

4.6

Overview

For those who use their debit card often every month, Quontic's High Interest Checking account offers a solid yield. Though the account comes with a relatively high minimum opening deposit, it doesn't charge a monthly fee. And with fee-free access to more than 90,000 ATMs across the country, your cash is never far away.

Read Bankrate's Expert Quontic Bank Review

1.10% APY

$100 minimum opening deposit

- You must make 10 debit card transactions equal to or more than $10 per transaction per statement cycle to earn the 1.10 percent APY.
- If you don’t meet the debit card purchase requirements, you’ll earn just 0.01 percent APY on your balance.

American Express National Bank, Rewards Checking

4.8

Overview

The American Express Rewards Checking account is great for those already in the American Express ecosystem or who want to be, since you can only open the account if you're an American Express cardholder. In addition to earning 1 percent APY in interest, you'll also earn American Express rewards on eligible debit card purchases.

With this account, you get access to 70,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide through the MoneyPass and Allpoint networks.

Read Bankrate's Expert American Express National Bank Review

1.00% APY

$0 minimum opening deposit

- None; you earn the 1 percent APY on all balances.
- You can only open the account if you are an American Express cardholder who has had a card for at least 35 days.
- Third-party ATM fees may apply if you use an ATMs outside of the network.

Bask Bank, Interest Checking

4.8

Overview

The Bask Bank Interest Checking Account has no monthly fees and offers 1 percent APY on all balances, with no requirements to earn the rate. There is no minimum opening deposit either. The bank also offers a high-yield savings account, in case you want to do more of your banking in one place. And as a customer, you get access to more than 55,000 surcharge-free Allpoint ATMs nationwide.

Read Bankrate's Expert Bask Bank Review

1.00% APY

$0 minimum opening deposit

- None; you earn the 1 percent APY on all balances.
- You’ll pay a fee for domestic wires ($20 for online and $35 for manual) and a fee for international wires ($35 for online and $50 for manual).

The competition: Other high-yield checking accounts you can consider

Bankrate researched dozens of high-yield checking accounts to whittle down to the ones that made our best list but there are other accounts out there that might be worthwhile for you, even if they didn't make our list. Just keep an eye out for the requirements that might keep you from actually earning the advertised yield. Here are a few other options for you to consider:

Axos Bank, Rewards Checking Account: Up to 3.30% APY

Axos Bank advertises a 3.30 percent APY on its Rewards Checking Account but to get it, you'll also need to use Axos for investing, self-directed trading and consumer loans. Setting up direct deposits to your checking and making debit card purchases will only get you to 0.70 percent APY. If you're all in on Axos, then you might be able to reach that advertised APY. But you can also earn a higher rate of 3.50 percent APY at TAB Bank without doing any of that.

Customer's Bank, Interest Checking: Up to 2% APY

Customer's Bank will pay you 2 percent APY if you receive at least one direct deposit or make two bill payments from your account each month. That's not a big hurdle to jump to get 2 percent but the big catch is you can only open this account at a Customer's Bank branch, which are concentrated on the East Coast, with a few scattered branches in Colorado, Illinois and Texas.

Heritage Bank, eCentive Checking Account: Up to 2.02% APY

Employee-owned Heritage Bank offers up to 2.02 percent APY on money held in its eCentive Checking account if you get direct deposits, make at least $500 of debit card purchases a month and opt in to eStatements. If you typically use your debit card for most purchases throughout the month and can meet that minimum spend, this could be a good option. But for credit card reward optimizers, for example, who rarely touch a debit card, this account wouldn't earn much interest.

HOPE Credit Union, Rewards Checking: Up to 5.12% APY

You can earn a truly enticing 5.12 percent APY on up to $10,000 with a HOPE Credit Union Rewards Checking account, but you'll need to meet the monthly requirements, which include making at least 12 debit card transactions, logging on to your online account at least once, opting in to eStatements and receiving a direct deposit. If these rules work with the way you tend to bank, this could be a worthwhile account to check out, especially if you want to support the credit union, whose mission is to strengthen under-resourced communities in the Deep South. Anyone can join the credit union with a $10 membership fee, which is good for as long as you have a HOPE account.

What is a high-yield checking account?

A high-yield checking account is like other interest-bearing checking accounts, but it pays a better rate of return. Requirements to earn the high-yield may include maintaining a set minimum balance, receiving direct deposit into the account or performing a minimum number of debit transactions each month.

Are high-yield checking accounts worth it?

High-yield checking accounts can be worth it, as long as you can easily meet the requirements to earn the high yield. If an account requires you to make a certain number of debit card transactions per month, for example, but it’s not an amount you’re likely to meet, that high-yield checking account won’t be worth it for you.

High-yield checking accounts can be a great option if you keep a healthy balance in your checking account and can meet the basic requirements — like using your debit card a certain number of times each month — if the account has them. But these accounts are not for everyone. If you tend to keep minimal cash in checking, or if you prefer using credit cards for purchases, you probably won't benefit enough to justify jumping through those hoops.
Hanna Horvath, certified financial planner and managing editor at Bankrate

What to look for in a high-yield checking account

If you’re looking for the absolute best APY in a checking account, you’ll often find this from an online bank or a credit union. Like most savings accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts earn a yield that’s variable, meaning the bank can increase or decrease the rate at its discretion. Don’t pick a high-yield checking account solely based on the rate. It’s important to choose an account that matches how you like to use your checking account and meets your other financial needs.
Bank customers often get hit with fees for using ATMs that aren’t owned by their bank or in their bank’s network. If you frequently use ATMs, you’ll want to go with a bank that provides convenient access to in-network ATMs.

Some banks also reimburse you for some or all surcharges you receive from out-of-network banks for using their ATMs.
When you’re in the market for an account that pays a high yield, it helps to also find one that doesn’t impose fees that eat into your balance. Common checking account fees include monthly service fees, out-of-network ATM charges and overdraft or nonsufficient funds (NSF) fees. It pays to find an account that either doesn’t charge such fees or makes them easy to avoid by meeting certain requirements.

Pros and cons of high-yield checking accounts

High-yield checking accounts offer an attractive way to earn more interest on your everyday money, but they aren't always the best fit for everyone. Here's a breakdown of the key advantages and potential drawbacks.

Pros

Higher interest earnings: Unlike standard checking accounts, which often offer little to no interest, high-yield checking accounts pay significantly more interest — sometimes even rivaling savings accounts. This allows your daily cash to grow while remaining accessible.
Easy access to funds: With a high-yield checking account, you'll maintain the same convenience as traditional checking accounts, including debit card and ATM access, check-writing privileges and online bill pay.
Incentives and perks: Some high-yield accounts come with added perks like ATM fee reimbursements and cash back rewards.

Cons

Qualification requirements: You'll often need to meet some monthly criteria to earn the advertised rate, such as making a minimum number of debit card transactions. Failing to meet the requirements might reduce your yield.
Variable yields: Like savings accounts, high-yield checking accounts are variable interest accounts, meaning a bank or credit union can change the yield you earn at any time.
Rate caps: Many accounts cap your yield up to certain balances (e.g., the first $10,000), meaning the rest of your balance may earn a lower yield.
Limited availability: Not all banks offer high-yield checking accounts, and many of the best offers come from online-only institutions, which may not suit everyone's preferences.

High-yield checking account FAQs

Often, only a certain portion of the balance will earn the top-notch APY. For instance, an account may earn a high APY for balances up to $25,000, and the portion of the balance above $25,000 will earn a lower APY (or no interest at all).
That varies from bank to bank, but many banks will revert to paying a lower APY on accounts where the monthly requirements are not met.
Be sure to read the fine print carefully to make sure you’re able to qualify for the high APY. Common requirements include receiving direct deposits, making a minimum number of debit purchases per month and signing up for electronic statements.

Meet our Bankrate experts

Written by: Karen Bennett, Senior Consumer Banking Reporter

Karen is a senior consumer banking reporter with three decades of writing experience, including in the financial services industry. Topics she's covered include savings accounts, CDs, budgeting and emergency funds, as well as legislation and government regulation. In addition to Bankrate, her work has also appeared in USA Today, Illinois Legal Times and various newspapers in Chicago, Milwaukee and Washington, D.C. Karen is a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW) and has a master's degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago.

Research methodology

Bankrate researches over 100 banks, including some of the largest financial institutions, online-only banks, regional banks and credit unions with both open and restrictive membership policies.

To find the best high-yield checking accounts, we rated these institutions on their checking account fees, minimum deposit requirements, ATM network, overdraft policies, APY offerings and more.

The highest-rated checking accounts from broadly-available banks and credit unions, with the highest APYs, made our list. Learn more about how we choose the best banking products and our methodology for reviewing banks.

Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amerant Bank, America First Credit Union, American Airlines Federal Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Apple Bank, Arvest Bank, Axos Bank, Banesco USA, Bank of America, Bank of Hope, Bank5 Connect, BankPurely, BankUnited Direct, Barclays Bank, Bask Bank, BMO Alto, BMO Bank, Boeing Employees’ Credit Union, Bread Savings, BrioDirect, Capital One, CFG Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase Bank, CIBC Bank USA, CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Colorado Federal Savings Bank, Comerica Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Credit One Bank, Cross River Bank, Customers Bank, Delta Community Credit Union, Discover Bank, East West Bank, Emigrant Bank, Emigrant Direct Bank, EverBank, Fifth Third Bank, First Citizens Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, First National Bank of America, First Tech Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Forbright Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, Frost Bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Heritage Bank, Huntington National Bank, iGOBanking.com, Jenius Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Laurel Road, LendingClub Bank, Limelight Bank, Live Oak Bank, M.Y. Safra Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Merrick Bank, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, Mountain America Credit Union, MySavingsDirect, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC Bank, North American Savings Bank, Northpointe Bank, Openbank, Patelco Credit Union, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, Popular Direct, Presidential Bank, Provident Bank, Quontic Bank, Quorum Federal Credit Union, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union, Regions Bank, Ridgewood Savings Bank, Rising Bank, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, SoFi, SouthState Bank, Star One Credit Union, State Employees' Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, Synovus Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Texas Capital Bank, The Federal Savings Bank, Third Federal Savings and Loan, Truist Bank, UFB Direct, Umpqua Bank, US Bank, USAA Bank, Valley Bank, Varo Bank, Vio Bank, VyStar Credit Union, WebBank, Webster Bank, Wells Fargo, Western State Bank, Zions Bank

Best high-yield checking accounts for July 2025

Why choose Bankrate

Bankrate’s picks for the top high-yield checking accounts

Presidential Bank's Advantage Checking Account

Overview

Requirements to earn the rate:

What to watch out for:

TAB Bank, TAB Spend Account

Overview

Requirements to earn the rate:

What to watch out for:

Lake Michigan Credit Union, Max Checking Account

Overview

Requirements to earn the rate:

What to watch out for:

Bank5 Connect, High-Interest Checking

Overview

Requirements to earn the rate:

What to watch out for:

NBKC, Everything Account

Overview

Requirements to earn the rate:

What to watch out for:

Quontic Bank, High-Interest Checking Account

Overview

Requirements to earn the rate:

What to watch out for:

American Express National Bank, Rewards Checking

Overview

Requirements to earn the rate:

What to watch out for:

Bask Bank, Interest Checking

Overview

Requirements to earn the rate:

What to watch out for:

The competition: Other high-yield checking accounts you can consider

Axos Bank, Rewards Checking Account: Up to 3.30% APY

Customer's Bank, Interest Checking: Up to 2% APY

Heritage Bank, eCentive Checking Account: Up to 2.02% APY

HOPE Credit Union, Rewards Checking: Up to 5.12% APY

What is a high-yield checking account?

Are high-yield checking accounts worth it?

What to look for in a high-yield checking account

High rates (with requirements you can meet)

Access to ATMs

Low fees

Pros and cons of high-yield checking accounts

Pros

Cons

High-yield checking account FAQs

Will my entire balance earn the high APY?

What happens if I don’t meet the requirements to earn the high APY?

How do I choose the best high-interest checking account for me?

Meet our Bankrate experts

Research methodology

Banks we monitor