Money market accounts (MMAs) are a type of savings account bringing together the interest rates of a savings account and the check-writing capabilities of a checking account. In an environment of rising interest rates, you may be interested in moving your cash to an account with the best money market account interest rates available. Here’s a look at the best money market account rates to help you on your quest to get the best return on your cash while maintaining FDIC insurance coverage.
Best money market account rates compared
|
Vio Bank Cornerstone Money Market Savings Account |
High interest rate on any balance |
No monthly fee with online-only statements |
||
|
Balances of $5,000 or above |
No fee with a balance of $5,000 or more, otherwise $10 per month |
|||
|
VirtualBank eMoney Market Account |
High interest rate with a low minimum balance requirement |
None with a balance of $100 or above, otherwise $5 per month |
||
|
U.S. Bank Elite Money Market Account |
None with a balance of $10,000 or above or when you have a linked U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account, otherwise $10 per month |
|||
Our recommendations for the best MMA
Best for high interest rate on any balance: Vio Bank Cornerstone Money Market Savings Account
Vio Bank Cornerstone Money Market Savings Account
Monthly fee
$0 for online-only statements
Vio Bank is an online bank with several savings account products. The Cornerstone Money Market Savings Account comes with an impressive 5.30% APY on all balances. There’s a $100 minimum balance to open an account, but no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements thereafter. However, a $5 monthly fee is charged if you want paper statements. With online-only statements, there’s no monthly fee.
It doesn’t include a checkbook or debit card but otherwise comes with standard features you’d expect from a money market account, including online banking and automatic transfers. Accounts are FDIC-insured, so you can rest easy that your deposits are protected up to FDIC limits.
Pros:
- Excellent interest rate applies to all balances
- No monthly fee with no minimum balance requirement
- Interest compounds daily
Cons:
- Fee required for paper statements
- $100 minimum opening balance requirement
- No check-writing or debit card features
Best for balances of $5,000 or above: UFB Secure Money Market Account
UFB Secure Money Market
Monthly fee
$0 with a balance of $5,000 or more, otherwise $10 per month
If you’re looking to eke out a few more basis points (a basis point is finance jargon for 0.01%), the UFB Secure Money Market Account pays an impressive rate. The interest rate applies to all balances, though you’ll need to maintain a balance of at least $5,000 at all times to avoid a $10 monthly maintenance fee.
UFB Direct is an online bank featuring a unique insurance product called InsureGuard+. With InsureGuard+, FDIC insured is possible for up to $150 million with a multi-bank partnership where balances are held across multiple institutions.
Pros:
- No minimum opening balance requirement
- Includes check-writing privileges
- Potential for more than standard FDIC insurance coverage
Cons:
- Minimum balance to avoid monthly fee
- No standard checking account is available
Best for online banking: Quontic Money Market Account
Our pick for the best online money market account is the Money Market Account from Quontic. Quontic is a full-service, online bank with FDIC-insured accounts. As of this writing, the account features an impressive 4.75% APY interest rate with no monthly fees and a $100 opening balance requirement. Interest compounds daily and is paid to account holders monthly.
Unlike many competing money market accounts, users earn the best interest rate on all balances and don’t have to pay any monthly fees if their balance dips below a specific minimum. It’s an excellent money market account for typical savings needs that’s tough to beat.
While it’s not the best-known name in banking, Quontic offers innovative features, including cryptocurrency rewards and a digital branch in the metaverse.
Pros:
- No monthly fee
- Includes debit card and check writing abilities
- Open online in about three minutes
Cons:
- $100 minimum opening balance required
- A $5 monthly dormant account fee may apply
Best for high interest rate with a low minimum balance requirement: VirtualBank eMoney Market Account
VirtualBank eMoney Market Account
Monthly fee
$0 with a balance of $100 or above, otherwise $5 per month
VirtualBank is an online-only bank offering an impressive 5.00% on all balances. To qualify, you must maintain a $100 minimum balance, a relatively low hurdle to avoid fees and earn top-tier interest rates. Otherwise, it’s a fairly straightforward online money market account.
VirtualBank accounts are FDIC-insured to applicable limits, currently $250,000 for individual accounts or $500,000 for joint accounts, per depositor per institution. As with other money market accounts, rates can change at any time without notice.
Pros:
- Competitive interest rate
- No monthly fee with $100 minimum balance
Cons:
- $100 minimum balance requirement to earn interest
- No debit card or check-writing
Best for in-person banking: U.S. Bank Elite Money Market Account
U.S. Bank Elite Money Market Account
Min. balance to earn APY
$25,000
Got a plan for that annual bonus? Open an Elite Money Market Account online in minutes and start saving today. Benefits include:
- New account clients with balances of $25,000+ earn the advertised 4.25% APY rate for the U.S. Bank Elite Money Market Account
- Quick and easy online application and funding.
- No ATM transaction fees at U.S. Bank ATMs.
- Set custom alerts for important account activity.
- Bank when, where and how you want with the U.S. Bank Mobile App.
- Member FDIC.
Some households prefer the in-person touch of walking into a bank branch and working with a human banker. If that sounds like you, the U.S. Bank Elite Money Market Account could be ideal. The account has a high interest rate. However, you must jump through a few hoops to qualify for the best rate and avoid monthly fees. U.S. Bank is one of the biggest banks nationwide, with over 2,200 branch locations.
Here’s a simplified list of the various interest rate tiers U.S. Bank offers for the Elite Money Market Account:
If you hold less than $25,000, the interest rate is about the worst you can find. Only new account clients with balances of $25,000+ earn the top advertised 4.25% interest rate. And unless you maintain at least $10,000 in the account or have a linked U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account, you must pay a $10 monthly fee. Due to the strict balance requirements, the account isn’t right for everyone.
Pros:
- In-person banking available
- Debit card and check-writing support
- Large bank can handle all banking needsThe highest interest rate is for new accounts only
Cons:
- The highest interest rate is for new accounts only
- Low interest rate on balances below $25,000
- Minimum balance required to avoid monthly fee
Best for no monthly fees: CIT Bank Money Market
The CIT Bank Money Market account doesn’t have the best interest rate but offers accounts with no ongoing minimum balance requirements and no monthly service fees. Its current 1.55% APY is well over the national average. If you’re looking to avoid fees and are unsure of your ability to maintain a specific balance, the CIT Bank Money Market account is worth considering.
CIT Bank is a division of First-Citizens Bank & Trust, one of the largest banks in the United States, which recently made headlines for its acquisition of failed Silicon Valley Bank (SBV), making it the 16th largest bank in the country. CIT Bank remains a full-service bank with checking, savings, and mortgage lending products.
Pros:
- No minimum balance requirement
- No monthly fees
- Full-service banking is available
Cons:
- Not the best interest rate around
- No debit card or check-writing capabilities
Methodology
To help you find the best money market account rates, our team looked at traditional brick-and-mortar banks, online-only banks, and credit unions. In addition to interest rates, it’s important to consider any fees associated with the account to ensure you don’t lose a big chunk of your earned interest.
How to choose a money market account
When picking a money market account, it’s important to look at several factors. Most important, consider the following rates, fees, and account features:
- Annual percentage yield: Annual percentage yield, commonly abbreviated as APY, measures how much you earn from your deposit. APY enables you to make an apples-to-apples comparison between accounts. A higher APY means you earn more interest.
- Minimum balance requirements: Depending on your bank or credit union, you may find a minimum opening balance requirement and a minimum balance requirement to avoid monthly recurring fees. Every dollar in fees takes away from your earnings.
- Other fees: While less typical of money market accounts, some fees apply to less common activities. Before signing up for any financial account, thoroughly review the fee schedule so you don’t run into any surprises.
- Convenience for your banking preferences: If you only want a bank with physical branch locations nearby, membership in the Zelle network for free, instant transfers, or any other specific preferences, you may have to shop around to find the right account with a combination of features ideal for your needs.
You may have found a winner if you find an account that meets your requirements given the above criteria.
Alternatives to MMAs
Money market accounts vs. savings accounts
Traditional savings accounts don’t offer check writing. Many savings and money market accounts offer similar features, such as FDIC or NCUA insurance and a limit of six monthly withdrawals. Note however, that limiting withdrawals to six is no longer mandated.Regulation D, the federal rule that required this, was withdrawn by the Federal Reserve Board in 2020. You can find accounts that won’t limit how often you can take out funds. High-yield savings accounts often feature among the top interest rates at a bank or credit union. They typically don’t have the check-writing features of a money market account.
Money market accounts vs. CDs
Certificates of deposit offer a fixed interest rate for a specific period. You may be able to lock in a higher interest rate than other savings products, but you’ll generally have to pay a penalty if you need to access funds before the maturity date.
More on money market accounts
What is a money market account?
A money market account is an interest-bearing savings product offer by a bank or credit union account. MMAs typically yield higher savings than regular savings account. Money market accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or National Credit Union Association (NCUA) up to $250,000 per account holder. Today’s national average APY is 0.58% (source: Curinos, updated as at January 26, 2024).
Pros & cons of MMAs
Pros:
- Higher interest rates
- More withdrawal options
Cons:
- Some financial institutions can impose withdrawal fees
- Minimum balance requirements (subject to fees)
- Lower returns compared to other investment tools
How to open a money market account
You can open a money market account in person or online. You will need the following information to open your account regardless of which method you choose:
- Name, address, Social Security number, employment status, income
- Government ID with photo
- Routing number and account number of the account you are using to fund your MMA
- Cash or check to fund the account if you open at a branch
Why should you open a money market account?
A money market account is a good option for consumers who want to accrue a higher interest rate on their savings and who also need quicker access to their money. Withdrawl options come in various ways including paper checks and debit cards. These types of accounts are ideal to reach goal achievement such as paying for college tuition, saving for a wedding, funding home improvements, or saving for a car.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
You may encounter these common questions when shopping for a money market account.
Are money market accounts a good investment?
Money market accounts are a form of government-insured savings account. With a balance of up to $250,000 for individual accounts or $500,000 for joint accounts, you can save effectively risk-free. Comparing your interest rate and risk to other potential investments, you can decide if a money market account is a good investment vehicle for your goals.
Are money market account rates higher?
Money market account interest rates may be higher than traditional savings accounts, but not always. You can use APY to compare the return from either account.
Are MMAs taxed?
The IRS considers interest earned from money market accounts taxable income in most situations. If you’re concerned about taxes from your MMA, consult with a trusted tax professional or Internal Revenue Service resources.
*Rates current as of January 31, 2024. Check with the financial institution to confirm current rates.
