3 Reasons Why Millennials Love High-Yield Savings Accounts
KEY POINTS
- High-yield savings accounts offer a safe way to earn decent returns.
- Many millennials value saving, which they learned from their parents.
- Tech-savvy millennials are well-positioned to make the most of online savings products.
Today's excellent savings rates have made high-yield accounts popular with Americans of all ages. In the past, it wasn't always easy to earn returns of 5% a year without compromising on safety or accessibility. That's exactly what top high-yield savings accounts offer at the moment.
But for millennials -- aged between 28 and 43 right now -- those accounts hold a special appeal. Studies show millennials are more likely than other generations to look for safer places to park their cash. At the same time, millennials are internet pioneers who are willing to break away from norms. As such, they're well-positioned to switch to the best online accounts.
Here are three great reasons why millennials love high-yield savings accounts.
1. Saving is important to millennials
A recent survey by PNC Investments showed that millennials take saving money seriously. Many millennials learned about saving from their parents and have held on to those values. So much so that PNC Investments says millennials are overly focused on saving. It wants to see them invest more in the stock market to build long-term wealth.
Our Picks for the Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of 2024
| Product | APY | Min. to Earn | |
American Express® High Yield Savings
Member FDIC.
APY
3.80%
Rate info
3.80% annual percentage yield as of January 7, 2025. Terms apply.
Min. to earn
$0
Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings
On American Express's Secure Website. |
3.80%
Rate info
3.80% annual percentage yield as of January 7, 2025. Terms apply.
|
$0
|
Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings
On American Express's Secure Website. |
Capital One 360 Performance Savings
Member FDIC.
APY
3.80%
Rate info
See Capital One website for most up-to-date rates. Advertised Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is variable and accurate as of Dec. 6, 2024. Rates are subject to change at any time before or after account opening.
Min. to earn
$0
Open Account for Capital One 360 Performance Savings
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
3.80%
Rate info
See Capital One website for most up-to-date rates. Advertised Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is variable and accurate as of Dec. 6, 2024. Rates are subject to change at any time before or after account opening.
|
$0
|
Open Account for Capital One 360 Performance Savings
On Capital One's Secure Website. |
Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier
Member FDIC.
APY
4.40%
Rate info
The annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of Jan. 2, 2025, and subject to change at the Bank’s discretion. Refer to product’s website for latest APY rate. Minimum deposit required to open an account is $500 and a minimum balance of $0.01 is required to earn the advertised APY.
Min. to earn
$500 to open, $0.01 for max APY
Open Account for Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier
On Western Alliance Bank's Secure Website. |
4.40%
Rate info
The annual percentage yield (APY) is accurate as of Jan. 2, 2025, and subject to change at the Bank’s discretion. Refer to product’s website for latest APY rate. Minimum deposit required to open an account is $500 and a minimum balance of $0.01 is required to earn the advertised APY.
|
$500 to open, $0.01 for max APY
|
Open Account for Western Alliance Bank High-Yield Savings Premier
On Western Alliance Bank's Secure Website. |
That's backed up by 2017 research from Merrill Edge. It asked different age groups about what they'd rely on financially in 20 years' time. Unlike other generations, 66% of millennials said they'd rely on their savings account.
Many millennials witnessed their parents and grandparents struggling during the Great Recession. As a result, they're less willing to take risks -- which makes the relative safety of savings accounts appealing.
You can earn APYs of over 5% right now on the best high-yield savings accounts. That's an attractive proposition for a generation that's both financially aware and risk-averse.
2. Millennials know how to find the best rates online
Millennials came of age as the internet was taking off, and they've consistently led older generations in terms of adoption of new technologies. ABA research shows millennials are most likely to use mobile and online tools to access their checking accounts and manage their money. Given online banks often offer the highest savings rates, it isn't surprising that millennials are tech-savvy enough to jump on them.
Millennials are most likely to have a savings account that pays at least 4% APY. According to research from The Motley Fool Motley Fool Money, 43% of millennials have a high-yield savings account, which is the highest of any generation. It also shows the median transaction account balance for people aged 35 to 44 is $7,500.
Shopping around for the best savings account APYs can make a significant difference to your balance. According to the FDIC, the average savings account APY is 0.42. That's a fraction of the rate you'll get with top high-yield accounts. If you have $7,500 in savings, as some millennials do, that difference could translate to earning over $350 in a year.
A good proportion of millennials know how to get the most out of their savings by using high-yield accounts, often with online banks. This can boost their savings balances and help build financial stability.
3. Millennials have ambitious savings goals
Millennials have gotten a bad rap when it comes to saving, but that doesn't mean they aren't putting money aside. Over half the millennials and Gen Zers surveyed by the Travis Credit Union said they contribute to their savings monthly.
Indeed, another reason why millennials love high-yield savings accounts is because they're busy saving toward different milestones. Some of the things they're saving for include:
- Buying a home
- Retirement
- Travel
- Buying a car
- Education
- Weddings
Setting clear, achievable goals is the first step to reaching them. If you have multiple financial goals, it can help to use a separate savings account for each one, or an account that offers savings buckets. That makes it easier to track your progress, especially if you're managing a mix of timelines.
Bottom line
No matter what your age or generation, there's a lot to be said for savings accounts that pay rates of 4% or 5%. It's great that so many millennials are using them to achieve their financial goals. And really, what's not to love about a high-yield savings account?
Our Research Expert
Emma owns the English-language newspaper The Bogota Post. She began her editorial career at a financial website in the U.K. over 20 years ago and has been contributing to Motley Fool Money since 2019.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.