Best Money Market Rates for December 2024

By Kim P, personal finance expert at CreditDonkey
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by the companies mentioned. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the companies.
Ad Disclosure: This article contains references to products from our partners. We may receive compensation if you apply or shop through links in our content. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site. You help support CreditDonkey by using our links. (read more)

Good money market accounts offer high interest rates with more flexibility. Here are the safest money market accounts to earn the most interest.

Money market accounts are a safe way to grow your money.

But if you want even higher interest rates, look beyond brick-and-mortar banks. Online banks usually offer the best APY available.

Banks with the Best Money Market Accounts:

  1. Prime Alliance Bank Personal Money Market
  2. CIT Bank Money Market
  3. Ally Bank Money Market
  4. Quontic Bank Money Market
  5. Discover® Bank Money Market Account
  6. Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Superior Money Market
  7. TIAA Bank Yield Pledge Money Market
  8. Synchrony Bank IRA Money Market

What Are Money Market Accounts?

A money market is a hybrid savings and checking account. It's also known as a "high-yield" account, because you typically get a higher interest rate in exchange for a higher balance requirement.

Some reasons you may want a money market include:

  • Higher interest rates
  • More flexibility; many money market accounts offer check-writing privileges or ATM cards
  • No maturity dates or early withdrawal penalties
  • Risk-free way to grow your money
  • FDIC insurance up to $250,000[1]

Which among these features of a money market account are you most interested in?

Note that a money market account is considered a type of savings account. So the federal government limits you to 6 withdrawals/transactions per month.[2]

Effective April 24, 2020, the Federal Reserve Board removed the six-per-month limit on transfers or withdrawals from the "savings deposit" definition in Regulation D. Banks and credit unions are not required to make changes, they may continue to restrict withdrawals.[3]

Difference between money market and high-yield savings account:
Both are savings accounts with federal withdrawal limits. Money market accounts generally offer more flexibility, such as checks or ATM access. However, the trade-off may be that you need to keep a higher balance.

Money Market Account vs Money Market Mutual Funds
Don't confuse a money market account with a money market mutual fund. Money market mutual funds are subject to market risk, and therefore loss of value. They're also not insured by the FDIC. Money market mutual funds are usually low risk, but there is a risk nonetheless.

Best Money Market Accounts

Online banks have higher money market rates. They have less overhead, so they're able to offer higher interest rates and less fees. You can still conduct all your business through free online and mobile banking.

We narrowed down the best money market savings account for different needs below.

Who has the highest money market rates right now?

Some people compare the interest on money market accounts to APYs on CDs. The main difference is you don't tie up your money with a money market account. You can easily withdraw money when you need it, though there is a federal limit of 6 withdrawals per month.

Prime Alliance Bank: 4.50% APY

Prime Alliance Bank is a local bank in Woods Cross, Utah, but anyone can open and maintain the money market account online.

The account pays 4.50%. You can do remote check deposits via mobile app and write checks from the account.

CIT Bank: 1.55% APY

CIT Bank offers deposit accounts with very competitive APYs. You get a high rate on the Money Market Account no matter how large or small your balance (after the $100 opening minimum).

This account allows for direct deposits, remote check deposits via the mobile app, and online bill pay. Plus, you can transfer money to friends through People Pay or PayPal.

However, the downside is that there is no ATM access, so you won't be able to withdraw your funds easily.

Ally Bank: 3.80% APY

Ally Bank's Money Market account has no minimum opening deposit and no monthly fee.

You can make purchases via a debit card and write checks (but no online bill pay). But remember that you're limited to 6 free transactions per month.

Ally is known for its incredibly user-friendly site and great 24/7 customer support with real humans. Plus, it's a full-service online bank with checking, savings, loans, and investing. It's a solid choice if you want a lot of financial services under one roof.

Quontic Bank

Quontic Bank is best known for their reward checking accounts. But they also offer a good lineup of savings accounts with higher than average rates.

The Money Market Account offers tiered interest rates. You can also get a debit card for easier access to your funds. Quontic gives you fee-free access to over 90,000 Allpoint, MoneyPass, SUM or Citibank ATMs.

Discover® Bank: Best for Emergency Funds

Discover® Bank Money Market Account provides easy access to your funds via ATMs. This makes it easy to access cash should you experience an emergency.

You get fee-free access to 60,000+ Allpoint® or MoneyPass® ATMs. There are no limits on cash withdrawals.

Discover® MMA comes with a free debit card and checks. You also get remote deposits and online bill pay. There are no fees on deposited item returned or insufficient funds.

Discover® Bank has 24/7 customer service should you need help at any time of day.

Discover is also known for their excellent credit cards. Discover credit cards offer good rewards, and all have no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Affinity Plus: Best Credit Union Money Market

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union offers one of the highest APYs currently on their market for their Superior Money Market Account.

You have the opportunity to earn the high APY if you: have a direct deposit of at least $500 each month (to any Affinity Plus checking, savings or money market account) and enroll in digital statements.

You're also automatically enrolled in the MyPlus Rewards program. You earn 4 points a month per $1,000 in average daily savings balances. Points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, travel, and more.

Anyone can become a member of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union with a one-time $25 donation to the Affinity Plus Foundation.[4]

TIAA Bank: Best One-Year Intro Money Market Rate

TIAA Bank offers a very competitive first-year introductory rate for their Yield Pledge Money Market account. TIAA guarantees that your account yields will stay in the top 5% of similar accounts offered in the U.S. banking market.

This account comes with a free debit card for ATM access. If you have at least $5,000 balance, you get unlimited ATM fee refunds.

After the 1st year, the rate drops significantly depending on your balance. If you have $100,000 though, you will still maintain a high yield rate. A money market account could be a good choice if you have a large sum of money that you don't want to expose to market risk. Jumbo money market accounts may offer higher APYs in exchange for the larger balance.

Synchrony Bank: Best Money Market for IRAs

If you are wary of putting your retirement money in the hands of risky investments, you may want to invest some of your money in an IRA money market account. This can help you get a little peace of mind, knowing that not all of your money is at risk of being lost.

Look into Synchrony Bank's IRA money market accounts. It's available in both Roth and Traditional IRA options.

You can rollover existing IRA contributions, plus make additional deposits at any time (subject to IRS contribution limits).

The interest rate isn't the highest, but it serves as a secure place to park your retirement savings. You don't need to worry about the fluctuations of the stock market. And there are tax benefits.

Other Money Market Accounts to Consider

Here are some other money market accounts to consider:

  • State Farm
    You probably think of State Farm when you need insurance, but they offer online banking as well.

    Their Money Market Account has competitive interest rates and no monthly fee with direct deposit. You need $1,000 to open. Account comes with a complimentary debit card for ATM withdrawals.

  • NBKC Bank
    NBKC (National Bank of Kansas City) allows anyone to open their accounts online. The rate on the Personal Money Market account is lower than other online banks, but it still offers a great product.

    • Current money market rate is 3.00% APY on all balances. $0 to open, no monthly service fees
    • Optional debit Mastercard
    • Free access at 32,000+ MoneyPass® ATMs nationwide

  • BankPurely
    If you keep a balance of at least $25,000, you can get a very high rate from Bank Purely's money market account. It comes with an ATM card and you get free ATM access on more than 55,000 ATMs.[5]

    And plus, one tree will be planted for every BankPurely account opened.

  • Sallie Mae
    Sallie Mae is known for student loans, but they also have a great money market account with a very competitive APY. There is no minimum balance or monthly fee. The account allows for writing checks, though has no ATM access.

Related: Best Bank Promotions

Money Market Accounts at Big Banks

So far, we've only talked about online banks, because they give the best rates. What about traditional brick-and-mortar banks? Perhaps you don't like the idea of purely online banking. Or if you already have checking accounts at these banks, you may want savings at the same bank.

These traditional banks provide money market accounts, but note that the APY won't be as high.

  • Wells Fargo Money Market Account

  • PNC Bank Money Market Account
    Up to 0.05% APY. Only available in eligible markets.

  • Citizens Bank Money Market Account
    Several types of Money Market accounts. 0.01% APY. No minimum opening deposit. Monthly maintenance fee of $10, unless you have a minimum daily balance of $2500. Other Money Market accounts have no monthly maintenance fee but require qualifying Citizens Bank Checking Account.

  • U.S. Bank Money Market Account
    0.01% - 0.25% APY, depending on amount. Minimum opening deposit $100. Monthly maintenance fee is $10 unless you open a U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account and enroll in the Smart Rewards® Primary tier or above, or maintain a $10,000 minimum daily balance.

What to Look for in a Money Market Account

Most banks offer a money market account. Knowing what to look for in an MMA can help you make the right choice for your situation.

  • Minimum Balance Requirements
    Each bank has their own opening deposit requirement. And some have minimum average daily balance requirements in order to avoid monthly fees. Make sure you can meet the required amount.

  • The Ability to Withdraw Money if Needed
    Some banks allow for ATM access, checks, or online transfers. Know what features you want and your withdrawal options. Note that money market accounts usually have a federal limit of 6 withdrawals per month.

  • The Interest Rate
    Of course, you want the highest interest rate possible. But every bank will have their own requirements to earn that rate. Find the bank that offers the highest rate with requirements that you can meet.

  • Other Products
    Some online banks only have savings products and don't have free checking accounts. Consider this if you want to do all your finances under one bank.

  • FDIC Insurance
    You always want to choose a bank that is a member of FDIC. This ensures that your deposits are covered up to $250,000. All the banks on our list are FDIC insured.

Who should consider Money Market Accounts

Money market accounts may suit those who:

  • Want a higher return but are more conservative
  • Plan to create an emergency fund
  • Save for short-term goals
  • Have larger savings balances
  • Prefer to invest in different accounts

Benefits of Money Market Accounts

Money market accounts can have these advantages:

  1. Higher interest
    Money market accounts often offer more competitive rates than traditional savings accounts.

  2. Protect capital
    Money market accounts are a good option to ensure you don't lose your cash by not taking any big risks with it.

  3. Convenience
    Money market accounts usually allows you to write checks and use an ATM card for withdrawing cash while helping you save and grow your balance.

Downsides of a Money Market Account

Money market accounts could have their downsides too:

  • You can only make six transfers and withdrawals per month, which makes your money a little less liquid than you might like.

  • Typically, a money market account requires a higher balance.

  • The interest rates may be higher than checking or savings rates, but they may be less than your rate of return on other investments, such as stocks or mutual funds.

  • The introductory interest rate may fluctuate. The rates may change often, which could mean a lower return than you anticipated.

Can you lose your money in a money market account?
No, you will not lose your deposits. Money market accounts are risk-free and you will always earn the current advertised interest rate. Your money is also safe from bank failure. If the bank goes out of business, your money is protected by FDIC insurance (up to $250,000).[6]

Money Market vs Savings Accounts

A money market account is a type of savings account, so you're limited to 6 withdrawals a month. However, you get a little more flexibility and easier access to your money.

A lot of money market accounts allow for checkwriting and online bill pay (which is not allowed in traditional savings accounts). Some even come with a debit card you can use for purchases and withdrawing money at ATMs. This makes your funds more liquid. You'll have to check what features your MMA offers.

Money market accounts may offer higher interest rates than savings accounts. In exchange, some banks will have bigger account balance and/or minimum deposit requirements. Rates and requirements will vary by bank.

What the Experts Say

As part of our series on saving and investing, CreditDonkey asked a panel of industry experts to answer readers' most pressing questions. Here's what they said:

Bottom Line

A money market account can be a great product to safely grow your money while having a bit more access flexibility. Usually, an online bank offers higher rates.

But make sure to read the fine print and understand a bank's requirements before opening an account. There are usually limitations on withdrawals, so it should not be used like a checking account.

References

  1. ^ FDIC. Deposit Insurance, Retrieved 1/21/2022
  2. ^ Federal Reserve Board. Regulation D Reserve Requirements, Retrieved 1/19/2022
  3. ^ Federal Reserve Board. "announces interim final rule to delete the six-per-month limit", Retrieved 1/19/2022
  4. ^ Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. Membership Eligibility, Retrieved 1/22/2022
  5. ^ BankPurely. PurelyMoneyMarket, Retrieved 1/22/2022
  6. ^ FDIC. Your Insured Deposits, Retrieved 1/22/2022

Write to Kim P at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.

Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.

Subscribe to CreditDonkey: Get updates on the latest deals and keep up with the best money moves.
Your privacy is important to us. Unsubscribe anytime

Articles on Best Money Market Rates

Money Market Account Calculator

How much interest will your money market account earn? Use this free calculator to see how your money will grow over time.
Which among these features of a money market account are you most interested in?
Save money and build wealth. Sign up to get our FREE email newsletter.
Next Page:

About CreditDonkey
CreditDonkey is a bank comparison website. We publish data-driven analysis to help you save money & make savvy decisions.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

†Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditDonkey receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CreditDonkey does not include all companies or all offers that may be available in the marketplace.

*See the card issuer's online application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However, all information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Apply Now" button you can review the terms and conditions on the card issuer's website.

CreditDonkey does not know your individual circumstances and provides information for general educational purposes only. CreditDonkey is not a substitute for, and should not be used as, professional legal, credit or financial advice. You should consult your own professional advisors for such advice.

About Us | Reviews | Deals | Tips | Privacy | Do Not Sell My Info | Terms | Contact Us
(888) 483-4925 | 680 East Colorado Blvd, 2nd Floor | Pasadena, CA 91101
© 2024 CreditDonkey Inc. All Rights Reserved.