High-yield savings account and how they work
7 min read
These days, there are many options where you can save your hard-earned cash. And a high-yield savings account is one financially savvy place to put it and watch it grow. That’s because, compared to a traditional savings account,* a high yield savings account may provide a significantly higher interest rate. And that can help you save more.
*The FDIC national average savings rate is under 0.50% as of Feb. 2026.
If you’re looking to grow your savings, check out the Spruce mobile banking app. Spruce offers savings accounts with a high yield interest rate and no strings attached. With Spruce there are no sign-up fees, minimum balance requirements, and no monthly fees.
How Spruce stacks up: With Spruce’s 3.50% APY , you can earn more than Chime+—without the hurdle of direct deposit requirements to earn it.**
**Comparison based on interest rates on chime.com as of 2/23/2026.
Wondering if this type of bank account and these features might be right for you? Read on to learn about high-yield savings accounts—and why a high interest savings account is not the same thing.
What is a high-yield savings account? What is a high interest savings account?
When you put your money in a savings account, the bank pays you interest. The interest rate they offer you is communicated through the annual percentage yield, or APY. In fact, banks must advertise the yield not the interest rate. So, while in everyday speak people may think of a high interest savings account, it’s technically a high-yield savings account. We’ll get into the details in next few paragraphs.
A high-yield savings account, by definition, offers higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts. Spruce Savings currently offers 3.50% APY on your savings, and that can mean more money in your pocket.
How do high-yield savings accounts work?
High-yield savings accounts pay you interest based on the account’s APY and the amount of money you have in the account.
So, we’ve established that a higher interest rate means more interest. But the real magic is compound interest, which is where the “yield” piece of the puzzle comes in. You don’t just earn interest based on your principal (fancy banking speak for the money you initially put in your account). You can also earn interest on the interest you’ve already received (as long as you don’t withdraw it).
In other words, high interest savings doesn’t include compounding interest on interest. High-yield savings does. To help visualize it: If savings were a video game, compound interest is like hitting the power-up.
Compounding periods and high-yield savings example
Interest compounds periodically. Depending on your bank, it could compound daily, monthly, or even annually. The more frequent the compounding, the faster those interest power-ups add up.
Check out this example to help solidify the concept. Let’s say you start with $1,000 in a high-yield savings account. Let’s say the account has a 2.96% high interest rate which works out to a 3.00% APY if interest is compounded monthly. Again, the 3.00% is what you’ll see advertised-not the 2.96%.
In this example, you’ll earn $2.50 the first month. So now you have $1,002.50 in your account. Pretty nifty, right?
But here’s where it gets even cooler. In the second month, you earn interest on
- your original $1,000
- plus the $2.50 you received the month before
That’s a two-month total of $1,005.01 Those extra earnings may seem like small potatoes now, but over time, they can really add up.
Your account’s APY can go up and down as the economy shifts or your bank tweaks its rates to keep up with the competition. Check your account’s APY periodically to stay on top of how much interest you’re receiving.
Take note! Adding to your savings can help you earn more. How much should you save each month? The answer differs for everyone but check the link for some guidance to figure out the right number for you.
Looking for savings accounts with high interest rates? Here’s what to consider
Ready to dive into the high yield savings game? Let’s talk strategy. When you’re shopping around to find the right savings account with high interest rates for you, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- APY. Pay close attention to the APY offered by any bank you’re thinking about. After all, that’s the main attraction of this type of account—and the higher the APY, the more your money grows.
- Deposit requirements. High-yield savings accounts often come with strings attached in exchange for higher rates. For example, some accounts might ask for a hefty deposit when opening your account. Others are more lenient, letting you start small and build up over time. Spruce has no minimum deposit requirements, so you can start saving with whatever amount you have.
- Required minimum balance. Some high-yield savings accounts require a minimum balance to keep the account open or even earn the advertised rate. You don’t want to be caught off guard with unexpected fees for falling below the minimum, so make sure the minimum balance that is required fits your financial situation. The Spruce Savings account does not have a minimum balance requirement, so you can breathe easy.
- Fees. Some bank accounts come with fees, like monthly or annual maintenance fees or low balance fees. Carefully check the fine print to learn what fees apply to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road. Spruce doesn’t have any monthly or annual fees, sign-up fees or minimum balance requirements.
- Reviews. Finally, look at external reviews of the high-yield savings account you’re considering to see what customers are saying. Make sure the bank you’re looking at is FDIC insured and generally has a positive reputation, so you have peace of mind knowing your money is protected. Spruce deposits are FDIC insured through Pathward, N.A. Member FDIC.***
How Spruce can help you save
With Spruce, take advantage of the many features and money saving tips that can help you work toward your financial goals.
You can receive interest on the savings in your Extra Saving account and in two additional saving goals. You can name your saving goals according to your plan for the money, such as “summer vacation” or “new car.” Then, you can set up an automatic transfer to fund your accounts or make transfers manually when it suits your schedule.
Spruce has other features, like automatic Round up, that make saving simple. Here’s how it works: When you use your debit card, Spruce rounds up the transaction to the nearest dollar and deposits the difference in your Extra Saving account.
Spruce doesn’t have account balance minimums or charge fees for creating dedicated saving goals. And there are no sign-up fees or monthly fees to worry about. You can save in a high yield savings account without those strings (and did we mention there are no account balance minimums to earn high-yield interest?)
Start an account with Spruce today
Spruce has the tools to help you take control of your finances. Ready to take advantage of getting 3.50% APY on your savings account balance and all the other features Spruce has to offer? Get started with Spruce today.
This information provided for general educational purposes only. It is not intended as specific financial planning advice as everyone’s financial situation is different.
***Funds are insured by the FDIC on a pass-through basis, subject to applicable limitations, restrictions, and requirements for such FDIC pass-through insurance, when the funds are received in your account. FDIC insurance only protects when an FDIC-insured institution fails. Spruce and H&R Block are not banks or FDIC-insured institutions, but Pathward® N.A. is an FDIC-insured depository institution.