Short answer: the Federal Reserve raised rates by 0.25% on 16 September 2026, to 3.75-4.00%, its first increase since 2023. Treasury bills, CDs and most online savings accounts paid more by early October. The best CDs pay up to 4.95% and the best no-strings savings accounts about 4.20%, while big-bank savings accounts still pay around 3%.
We re-checked every US product in our high-interest accounts finder on 4 October 2026. Here is the short version.
What changed
- Treasury bills rose: about 3.95% for 4 weeks, 4.11% for 13 weeks, 4.19% for 26 weeks and 4.29% for 52 weeks (2 October).
- CDs rose: Popular Direct pays 4.95% for 5 years, 4.80% for 3 years and 4.65% for 2 years ($10,000 minimum). Marcus pays 4.40% for 1 to 5 years ($500 minimum).
- Online savings rose: Marcus to 3.50%, Wealthfront to 3.55% base, Ally and Capital One to 3.10%.
- Money market funds: Vanguard VUSXX 3.82%, VMFXX 3.79%, Fidelity SPAXX 3.49% (7-day yields).
- I Bonds: 4.26% until 31 October. The November rate is announced around 1 November.
The best rates by type
| Type | Product | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-year CD | Popular Direct | 4.95% | $10k minimum |
| 1-year CD | Marcus / Popular Direct | 4.40% | $500 / $10k minimum |
| 52-week T-bill | US Treasury | ~4.29% | No state income tax |
| Savings | Axos ONE | 4.21% | Needs monthly deposits and a balance |
| Savings | EverBank Performance Savings | 4.20% | No minimum, no fee |
| Savings | Live Oak / Bread Savings | 4.00% | No monthly fee |
| Money market fund | Vanguard VUSXX | ~3.82% | Treasury-only, $3k minimum |
| Big bank savings | Ally / Capital One 360 | 3.10% | For comparison |
Which ones to look at
- Cash you need any time: EverBank (4.20%) and Live Oak or Bread (4.00%) pay about 1% more than the big online banks, with no hoops. Newtek still pays 4.20% but is closed to new customers.
- Money you can lock away: if you think rates will not keep rising, a 3- to 5-year CD at 4.80-4.95% fixes today's rate for years. Check the early-withdrawal penalty first.
- Living in a high-tax state: T-bills and money market funds that hold Treasuries are free of state income tax, which can beat a CD with a higher headline rate.
- Thinking about I Bonds: wait for the 1 November announcement. The current 4.26% applies only to bonds bought before then.
- Still at a big bank paying around 3%: moving $50,000 to a 4.20% account earns about $550 more a year.
All rates are as published on 4 October 2026 and change often. This is a summary, not financial advice. Compare all 38 US products in the high-interest accounts finder, and track your cash, CDs and Treasuries in Agni Folio.
