Most checking accounts in the USA pay almost nothing — the FDIC national average for interest checking is just 0.07% APY. The best high-yield checking accounts pay up to 5.00% APY. Here are the top picks for November 2026.

The top accounts

  • Consumers Credit Union Rewards Checking — up to 5.00% APY on balances up to $10,000. The rate is tiered: 3.00% if you use eDocuments, make 12 debit card purchases and deposit $500 a month; 4.00% if you also spend $500 a month on a Consumers credit card; 5.00% if you spend $1,000 a month on the card. No monthly fee, and ATM fees are refunded.
  • Connexus Credit Union Xtraordinary Checking — 4.50% APY on balances up to $25,000 (rate as of 5 November 2026). To earn it you need eStatements, a $500 monthly deposit, and 15 debit card purchases or $500 in debit card spending a month. Balances over $25,000 earn 0.25% APY.
  • GO2bank — 4.50% APY on its savings account (up to $5,000, paid quarterly). This is a savings rate, not a checking rate, but it is a useful comparison if you keep cash in savings instead.

The catch

The top rates only apply if you meet the monthly rules — and only up to the balance cap. Miss the rules and the rate can fall to 0.01% APY. Rates change often, so check the credit union’s own site before you open an account.

This is general education, not financial advice.

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