The average account balance for Americans is $8,000 ... rate of 4% or more is not knowing accounts with those rates are available. Twenty-two percent of respondents said lack of knowledge was ...

Primis Bank offers free checking that pays a 4.20% APY that not far below the best high-yield savings account rates. Better yet, there are no hoops to jump through.

The site also has a live chat feature available during regular ... EverBank’s Yield Pledge Checking account has no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance or monthly activity requirements.

To determine the top high-yield savings accounts, CNBC Select compared those with an above-average APY, FDIC insurance, zero monthly maintenance fees and low (or no) minimum balance requirements.

Learn how to balance what to keep in your checking ... at least one to two months’ worth of expenses readily available in a checking account with a traditional or online bank.