Where should I put my money in the US?
Short answer: keep your emergency fund in an FDIC-insured high-yield savings account (insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category). Use CDs or Treasury bills for money you need in months to a few years. Invest money you won't need for 5+ years in low-cost index funds. Crypto is high risk and has no FDIC or SIPC protection.
FDIC Bank deposits up to $250k
SIPC Broker custody, not losses
none Crypto
9 of 18 data points verified on official sources ·Verified this week
Marcus by Goldman Sachs – Online Savings
3.50% APY (variable, as of Oct 16, 2026)
FDIC up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for Marcus by Goldman Sachs – Online Savings
Ally Bank – Savings Account
3.10% APY (variable, as of Oct 15, 2026)
FDIC up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for Ally Bank – Savings Account
Wealthfront – Cash Account
3.55% base APY (variable; page rates as of Sep 18, 2026)
FDIC via program banks (Wealthfront is not a bank)✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for Wealthfront – Cash Account
Marcus by Goldman Sachs – 12-month CD
4.40% APY (as of Oct 16, 2026)
FDIC up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for Marcus by Goldman Sachs – 12-month CD
US Treasury bill – 4-week
4.068% investment rate (auction Oct 15, 2026)
Backed by the full faith and credit of the US government✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for US Treasury bill – 4-week
US Treasury bill – 8-week
4.132% investment rate (auction Oct 15, 2026)
Backed by the full faith and credit of the US government✅ verified 2026-10-16 · source for US Treasury bill – 8-week
Compare by product type
High-yield savings
Online savings accounts paying a variable APY. FDIC insurance applies only if the bank (or partner program bank) is FDIC-insured.
CDs (certificates of deposit)
Fixed APY for a fixed term. FDIC-insured at insured banks; early withdrawal penalties apply.
Treasury bills
Short-term US government debt (4 to 52 weeks). Yields from the latest official TreasuryDirect auction results.
Index funds, robo-advisors & brokers
For the long term (5+ years). No guaranteed return; SIPC protects custody, not market losses.
Crypto (high risk)
No FDIC or SIPC protection. Prices can fall more than 80%.
Before choosing, read the basics explained.
Frequently asked questions
Which savings account pays the most?
It changes weekly. Each rate in the table links to the official page and the date we checked it. "Up to" or promotional boosts are listed separately.
CD or Treasury bill?
T-bills are backed by the US government and interest is exempt from state and local income tax; CDs are FDIC-insured up to the limit. Compare the official yields.
How do I buy T-bills?
Directly at TreasuryDirect.gov (minimum $100) or through a brokerage account at auction or on the secondary market.
Robo-advisor or DIY index funds?
A robo-advisor automates allocation and rebalancing for an advisory fee; buying a broad index fund yourself avoids that fee. Fund expense ratios apply in both cases.
Is crypto on an exchange insured?
No FDIC or SIPC coverage applies to crypto assets.
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