As of August 26, 2026, the national average savings rate sits near 0.38 percent APY. At the same time, some high-yield savings accounts are at 4 percent APY or higher.
Best Credit Union Savings Rates: If your savings account is earning around the national average, you might check out a credit union. A number of credit unions are advertising savings rates above 4 percent APY. Still, the top numbers often come with a cap on how much you can earn on or they require you to join first. There can be other rules too.
As of August 26, 2026, the national average savings rate sits near 0.38 percent APY. At the same time, some high-yield savings accounts are at 4 percent APY or higher. Recent market data also suggests credit unions can hold their own against online banks. This is especially true if you qualify for membership.
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Below are some credit union options that look strong, based on rates that were shared recently:
Rates can change, and the APY shown for some accounts applies only to a particular balance tier or when specific qualifications are met.
Vibrant Credit Union is running a savings offer that stands out. The Digital Advantage Savings account lists a 4.40% APY on balances up to $5,001. New people can open it online. You must also keep a $5 membership share account. Vibrant notes that you do not need to do any specific actions to receive the APY it advertises.
Peak Credit Union offers the Peak Saver account at 4.00% APY up to $100,000. That higher rate depends on meeting the rules tied to its checking accounts.
If you do not meet the qualifications, the whole balance only earns 0.05% APY. Any amount over $100,000 earns 1.00% based on the rate schedule now in effect. So this option can work well if you like using the checking products. If you want savings with no maintenance steps, it may feel less convenient.
Abound Credit Union lists 4.25% APY for the first $5,000 in its High-Yield Savings account.
After that, the APY changes based on balance tiers. In the rate schedule effective August 21, 2026, balances from $5,000.01 to $25,000 earn from 3.05% up to 4.25%. Larger balances are paid at lower tiered rates. Abound does not show a minimum opening deposit for this high-yield account.
Alliant Credit Union is a well-known credit union that offers online banking.
On August 5, 2026, its High Rate Savings account shows 3.01% APY for balances of $100 and up. The Jumbo Savings option also shows 3.01% APY for balances between $100 and $99,999.99. For $100,000 or more, the Jumbo Savings rate is 3.35% APY.
Quorum Federal Credit Union offers the HighQ Savings account. Bankrate included it in its list of top credit union savings accounts.
In an August 2026 review, Bankrate shows a 3.30% APY. That review says there is no minimum deposit to open. It also notes that membership rules still apply. It says paper statements may add a monthly charge.
Bankrate notes its APY details were updated on June 30, 2026. So you should check with Quorum for the latest number before you open anything.
PenFed Credit Union, often called Pentagon Federal Credit Union or PenFed, lists 2.70% APY on its Premium Online Savings Account.
PenFed’s rate sheet dated August 1, 2026, says the account needs a $5 minimum balance to open. The rate may not be the best today. Still, the wide access to membership and its long-standing online system could fit people who want an easy setup along with decent interest.
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Rates shown in the article put Vibrant Credit Union’s Digital Advantage Savings at 4.40% APY for balances up to $5,001. Still, a high number on a page does not mean it fits every saver.
Peak Credit Union lists 4.00% APY up to $100,000, but only if you meet its conditions. Abound shows 4.25% APY on the first $5,000. So the “best” choice comes down to two things. How much you plan to keep in the account. And whether you can follow the account rules.
Both options can work, depending on what you value. Credit unions are member-owned. Banks are usually owned by shareholders. In some cases, credit unions share more earnings with members by offering strong deposit rates and charging fewer fees.
That said, online banks often push hard to win customers with higher savings rates. The August 2026 market data in the article notes some non-credit-union HYSAs reaching as much as 4.50% APY. For that reason, you should not assume a credit union will always be the top rate.
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Savings accounts at federally insured credit unions are covered by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. The NCUA runs that fund.
In most cases, the limit is $250,000 per person for each federally insured credit union, for an account held in an individual name. The NCUA states the fund has the backing of the full faith and credit of the United States government.
Vibrant Credit Union advertises 4.40% APY on balances up to $5,001. Abound Credit Union lists 4.25% APY on the first $5,000. Peak Credit Union shows 4.00% APY on up to $100,000 if its requirements are met. Alliant, Quorum and PenFed also list other rates. Those rates are lower, but they may be simpler to qualify for.
For that reason, you should be careful to tell apart a federally insured credit union savings account from an investment product. Things like stocks and mutual funds do not have NCUA share insurance protection.
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