Best high-yield checking accounts of June 2026: Earn up to 5.15% 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? The All America Bank Ultimate Rewards Checking is for you if you want to maximize the return you earn on the cash sitting in your checking account.

Standout benefits: This account offers one of the highest checking returns we found. Account holders can earn 5.15% APY on up to $15,000 (after, 0.50% APY) by making at least 10 debit card purchases monthly and receiving bank statements electronically. Those who don't earn 0.25% APY.

Who's this for? The Presidential Bank Advantage Checking is ideal if you have a large checking account balance, since its high APY is capped.

Standout benefits: You can earn 4.62% APY on up to a $25,000 balance (after, 3.62% APY) by having a direct deposit of $500 or more each month (from payroll, pension, Social Security or annuities) and make at least seven electronic withdrawals each month (including ATM, POS, ACH and bill payments).

Those who don't meet the above requirements will earn 0.10% APY.

Who's this for? With SoFi Checking and Savings, you can do all your banking in one place and get rewarded.

Standout benefits: SoFi members who set up direct deposit can earn up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.60% APY as of 3/31/26) for up to 6 months and 0.50% APY on their checking balances. Those without direct deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings and Vault balances and 0.50% APY on checking balances.

Though the 0.50% APY is lower than what other high-yield checking accounts on this list offer, the requirement to earn interest is easier to achieve. Plus, SoFi has more perks than others that may make it worth it if you're not solely focused on earning the highest return possible.

These perks include the following:

• Receive your paycheck up to two days earlier automatically when you set up direct deposit
• Have deposits insured up to $2 million
• Earn a welcome bonus of $50 or $400 when you set up direct deposit and meet deposit minimums ($1,000 to $4,999.99 to earn $50, $5,000 or more to earn $400) within the specified bonus period*. Wait for direct deposit to hit the account (typically 2-4 weeks). Collect a cash bonus of $50 or $400, depending on the direct deposit amount.

Who's this for? Axos Bank Rewards Checking makes it easy to earn extra cash. New Rewards Checking account holders can cash in on up to a $500 bonus† and up to 3.30% APY* with a new Rewards Checking account. Use promo code RC500 by July 31. To earn the welcome bonus, ensure your account receives qualifying direct deposits of at least $1,500 each calendar month (starting from the statement cycle 30 days after account opening) and maintains an average daily balance of at least $3,000 monthly. You must meet these requirements in the first six calendar months after opening your account. Each qualifying month earns you $100, credited to your checking account within 15 business days after the statement cycle ends. You'd earn up to five $100 payouts over the six statement cycles.

Standout benefits: This checking account lets you work your way up to a 3.30% APY. There are a few hoops to jump through, which make it best for Axos customers who use a handful of their financial products. Here are the steps:

1. Set up a monthly direct deposit of $1,500 or more to earn 0.40% APY
2. Make 10 debit card transactions per month (minimum $3 per transaction) or sign up for Personal Finance Manager (PFM) "Account Aggregation" = earn an additional 0.30% APY
3. Maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 per month in an Axos Invest Managed Portfolios account = earn an additional 0.99% APY
4. Maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 per month in an Axos Invest Self-Directed Trading account = earn an additional 0.99% APY
5. Add a monthly loan payment (mortgage, personal or auto loans) using your Rewards Checking account = earn an additional 0.60% APY

Direct deposit is required to unlock the remaining interest-earning tiers, and account holders who do not meet these requirements will not earn interest.

Who's this for? CCU Rewards Checking offers a high APY and anyone to join the credit union by enrolling in the Consumers Cooperative Association for a one-time $5 membership fee, which CCU reimburses.

Standout benefits: You can earn 5.00% APY on balances up to $10,000 if you meet these requirements:

1. Receive bank statements electronically
2. Make at least 12 debit card purchases each month
3. Set up direct deposits, mobile check deposits or ACH credits totaling at least $500
4. Spend $1,000 or more in CCU Visa credit card purchases each month

Those who don't meet the above requirements will 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 review 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.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

* 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.