Best high-yield checking accounts of July 2026: Earn up to 5.00% APY

Editor's Note: APYs listed in this article are up-to-date as of the time of publication. They may fluctuate (up or down) as the Fed rate changes. CNBC Select will update as changes are made public.

Checking accounts are designed to be easily accessible, but unlike savings accounts, most don't accrue interest.

CNBC Select found the best interest-bearing checking accounts, with an eye toward yields, minimum deposits and balance requirements, monthly fees, sign-up bonuses and more. To see how we made our choices, check out our methodology.

Who's this for? If you want to maximize the return on the cash sitting in your checking account, the All America Bank Ultimate Rewards Checking offers one of the highest checking APYs we found.

Standout benefits: Account holders can earn up to 3.95% APY on balances up to $15,000 by making at least 10 debit card purchases monthly and receiving statements electronically. Balances above $15,000 earn 0.50% APY, and those who don't meet the requirements earn 0.25% APY.

Who's this for? If you keep a large balance in your checking account and want it working as hard as possible, the Presidential Bank Advantage Checking rewards higher balances with a competitive APY and a meaningful rate even after the cap.

Standout benefits: Earn up to 3.75% APY on balances up to $25,000 by setting up a direct deposit of $500 or more per month and making at least seven electronic withdrawals monthly. Balances above $25,000 earn 2.75% APY, and those who don't meet the requirements earn 0.10% APY.

Who's this for? If you want to do all your banking in one place and get rewarded for it, the SoFi Checking and Savings pairs a competitive savings APY with a welcome bonus and perks that go well beyond the rate.

Standout benefits: SoFi members who set up direct deposit can earn a strong APY on savings plus 0.50% APY on checking balances. Perks include getting your paycheck up to two days early, FDIC insurance on deposits up to $2 million and a welcome bonus of $50 or $400 depending on your direct deposit amount. Those without direct deposit will earn 0.50% APY on savings and checking balances.

Who's this for? If you want to earn competitive rates on both your checking and savings without juggling multiple banks, the Axos ONE^® bundle combines both accounts in one place with perks that make it worth using as your primary bank.

Standout benefits: Members who meet direct deposit requirements can earn up to 4.21% APY on savings and 0.51% APY on checking. To unlock the promotional rates, you'll need monthly direct deposits of at least $1,500 with an average daily balance above $1,500, or monthly deposits of $5,000 or more with an average daily balance above $5,000. Beyond the rate, Axos ONE includes early paycheck with direct deposit, access to 95,000+ fee-free ATMs, no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, and expanded FDIC insurance.

Who's this for? If you want one of the highest checking APYs on this list and don't mind meeting a few requirements to earn it, the CCU Rewards Checking is worth a serious look — and anyone can join the credit union for a one-time $5 membership fee that CCU reimburses.

Standout benefits: Earn 5.00% APY on balances up to $10,000 by receiving electronic statements, making at least 12 debit card purchases monthly, setting up direct deposit or ACH credits totaling at least $500, and spending $1,000 or more in CCU Visa credit card purchases each month. Those who don't meet the requirements earn 0.01% APY.

To choose a high-interest checking account, consider the APY and the requirements to earn that rate — the minimum deposit and balance, direct deposit amounts, debit card transactions, etc. You'll also want to see if the bank or credit union offers a fee-free ATM network and/or ATM reimbursements.

To open a high-interest checking account, visit a bank (or credit union) online or in person. Most banks and institutions require a deposit of new money, meaning you can't transfer the money you already had in an account at that bank. Just like normal checking accounts, most high-interest checking accounts require a minimum deposit to open an account.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every checking account list is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of banking products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best high-yield checking accounts.

To determine which checking accounts offer the best return on your money, CNBC Select analyzed dozens of U.S. checking accounts offered by online and brick-and-mortar banks, including large credit unions. We narrowed our ranking to checking accounts that offer an above-average APY and manageable ways to earn it.

We also favored accounts with zero monthly maintenance fees (or a simple way to waive them) and low minimum balance and minimum deposit requirements.

All of the accounts included on this list are FDIC- or NCUA-insured up to $250,000. Note that the rates and fee structures for checking accounts are not guaranteed forever; they are subject to change without notice and they often fluctuate in accordance with the Fed rate. Your earnings depend on any associated fees and the balance you have in your checking account. To open an account, most banks and institutions require a deposit of new money, meaning you can't transfer the money you already had in an account at that bank.

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* New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/ *SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn up to 3.10% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.10% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 5/28/26. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. *SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC's regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks. *Earn up to 3.80% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 12/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC *Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 5/28/26. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

* We've partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within our network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees may be incurred when using out-of-network ATMs. SoFi's ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.