With a new year upon us, you might be reevaluating where you park your money. One option that'll help you earn a strong rate of return with liquidity is money market accounts.
Money market accounts are interest-bearing accounts at a bank or credit union. These accounts usually have higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts and are safe options to save your money for short-term savings goals.
Money market accounts differ from traditional savings accounts, as they allow check-writing privileges and sometimes come with a debit card that can be used to access money at an ATM. Therefore, they provide a higher level of liquidity you likely won’t find in other high-yield savings accounts. The APY of a money market account includes compounding interest, which is usually credited monthly.
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Top money market accounts right now
Use the tool to find the right Money Market Account for you. You can search by savings and Money Market Accounts, or filter to compare only Money Market Accounts.
Pros of money market accounts
- Offer higher interest rates than traditional savings account
- Because some money market accounts have check-writing and debit card privileges, they offer a higher degree of liquidity compared to other savings accounts.
- Money market accounts are safe ways to grow your cash as most are FDIC or NCUA insured.
Cons of money market accounts
- Many banks require a minimum deposit to open an account, and also have minimum balance requirements as well.
- Interest rates for money market accounts can be lower than those of high-yield savings accounts or CDs.
- The interest rate on money market accounts is variable, meaning it fluctuates with market conditions.
- Having easy access to savings can encourage some to spend more than they ought to.
Why open a money market account?
Opening a high-yield savings account, a CD or money market account are all great options to save your cash. If you plan on keeping your cash stored away where it can remain untouched until a future date, then a high-yield account or CD is the better choice.
If, on the other hand, you think you might need to make a purchase using your savings, like in the case of an emergency, a money market account could be the better option. Just make sure you’re able to meet any minimum balance and initial deposit requirements associated with the account, and that it comes with a competitive interest rate.
Here are some of the best Money Market accounts. All are FDIC-insured banks or NCUA credit unions, letting you keep your savings safe:
| Account | APY | Min. Opening Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Quontic Bank | 4.75% | $100 |
| Brilliant Bank | 4.70% | $1,000 |
| Vio Bank | 4.46% | $100 |
| All America Bank | 4.40% | $500 |
| CFG Bank | 4.37% | $1,000 |
| Republic Bank of Chicago | 4.30% | $2,500 |
| Merchants Bank of Indiana | 4.25% | $50 |
| Northern Bank Direct | 4.25% | $5,000 |
| UFB Direct | 4.01% | $0 |
| American First Credit Union | 1.00% - 4.00% | $0 |
| First Internet Bank | 3.61% | $100 |
| BluPeak Credit Union | 2.50% | $100 |
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