Would you accept 60 cents a year in interest on a $6,000 emergency fund? That is roughly what the Huntington Premier Savings account pays at its base rate. Yet hundreds of thousands of Midwest customers keep this account because it is simple, branch-backed, and pairs neatly with Huntington checking.
This guide covers what the account actually pays as of July 2026, exactly how the $4 fee waiver works, how Premier Savings compares to Huntington's Relationship Savings, and when a different savings account may serve you better.
Huntington Premier Savings at a Glance
| Feature | Details (as of July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Institution | The Huntington National Bank (FDIC insured) |
| Minimum opening deposit | $50 |
| Monthly maintenance fee | $4 |
| Fee waiver | $300 average daily balance OR any Huntington personal checking account |
| Base APY | About 0.01% (variable) |
| Relationship APY | About 0.02% with a linked qualifying checking account |
| Branch access | Roughly 900+ branches, concentrated in the Midwest |
Rates are variable and can change at any time, so confirm current numbers with Huntington before opening.
How the $4 Fee Waiver Works
The Premier Savings fee is one of the easiest big-bank savings fees to avoid. Huntington charges $4 per month, but waives it if you meet either of two conditions:
- Keep an average daily balance of at least $300 in the savings account, or
- Have any Huntington personal checking account, including the no-fee Asterisk-Free Checking.
Note that the balance test uses your average daily balance, not a snapshot on one day. If your balance dips below $300 for a few days but averages above it across the statement period, you are still fine. And since Asterisk-Free Checking has no monthly fee of its own, pairing the two accounts makes the savings account effectively free even with a $0 savings balance.
What APY You Actually Earn
Here is the honest part: almost nothing. The base rate on Premier Savings is about 0.01% APY as of July 2026. Link a qualifying Huntington checking account and it roughly doubles to about 0.02% APY, which is still just 2 cents per year on every $100 saved.
For context, the national average savings rate is around 0.38% to 0.60% APY as of July 2026, and top online high-yield savings accounts pay 4.10% to 4.50% APY. On a $10,000 balance over one year, that is the difference between about $1 to $2 at Huntington and $410 or more at a top online account.
Premier Savings vs Relationship Savings
Huntington offers a second savings option that most Premier Savings shoppers should know about. Huntington Relationship Savings pays tiered rates from 0.01% up to about 3.29% APY as of July 2026, depending on which Huntington checking account you hold and your balance. The catch is a $10 monthly fee, waived with a $2,500 average daily balance or a linked Huntington personal checking account.
The practical takeaway: if you already bank with Huntington and hold more than a few thousand dollars in savings, Relationship Savings is usually the stronger choice. Premier Savings mainly makes sense as a starter account or an overdraft-protection companion to your checking.
Who This Account Fits
Premier Savings works best for a few specific situations. The $50 opening deposit and $300 waiver threshold are beginner friendly. Linking it to Huntington checking adds overdraft protection transfers, which can help you dodge overdraft charges. And if you value walking into a branch in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, or elsewhere in Huntington's footprint, that access is real.
It also fits savers who simply want their savings at the same bank as their checking for instant transfers, and who keep their serious money elsewhere.
The Honest Drawbacks
The rate is the whole story. At 0.01% to 0.02% APY, your money loses purchasing power to inflation every year. A $5,000 balance earns about 50 cents to $1 annually, while the same money in a 4% APY account earns around $200. There is no sign-up bonus for this account, and the relationship rate bump is symbolic rather than meaningful.
If your goal is growth rather than convenience, this account is not built for that job, and Huntington's own Relationship Savings or Money Market accounts pay more.
Higher-Yield Alternatives to Consider
If you do not need branch access, mobile-first accounts pay dramatically more. Chime offers a high-yield savings account earning 0.75% APY standard, rising to as much as 3.75% APY for members with qualifying direct deposit as of July 2026, with no monthly fees or minimum balance.
Chime
Chime
- Fee-free banking plus early pay access - Overdraft up to $200 without fees - 5% cash back and build credit everyday. - 3.75% APY on your savings.
Standout feature
No credit check, no interest, no annual fee, and no minimum deposit required.
Fees
$0
Pros
Fee-Free Banking and Get paid up to 2 days early
Cons
App/online-only support, no branches
Current takes a different approach with Savings Pods that can earn a boosted rate of up to 4.00% APY with qualifying direct deposit, also with no monthly maintenance fee.
Either option pays more in a month on a $5,000 balance than Premier Savings pays in a year. APYs are variable and terms apply, so check current rates before switching.
Current Banking
Current Banking
Current is a mobile-first banking app with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Members can earn up to 4.00% APY with a qualifying direct deposit of $200, receive direct-deposit paychecks up to 2 days early, and overdraft up to $200 fee-free.
Standout feature
4.00% APY on Savings Pods (with a $200+ qualifying direct deposit) plus paycheck up to 2 days early — both included on the standard account for free
Fees
Free
Pros
$0 monthly fee; up to 4.00% APY on Savings Pods with qualifying direct deposit; paycheck up to 2 days early;
Cons
No physical branches
How to Open a Premier Savings Account
Opening a Huntington savings account takes about 10 minutes online at huntington.com or in a branch. You will need a Social Security number, a government ID, a U.S. address, and the $50 minimum deposit. If you want the fee waived from day one, either fund it with $300 or more, or open (or link) a Huntington checking account in the same session. Then set up an automatic monthly transfer, even $25, so the account actually grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the interest rate on Huntington Premier Savings?
As of July 2026, Premier Savings pays about 0.01% APY at its base rate, rising to about 0.02% APY when linked to a qualifying Huntington checking account. The rate is variable and far below the national savings average, so treat this account as a convenience tool rather than a growth vehicle.
How do I avoid the $4 monthly fee on Premier Savings?
Keep an average daily balance of at least $300, or hold any Huntington personal checking account, including Asterisk-Free Checking, which has no monthly fee itself. Meeting either condition waives the $4 charge for that statement period.
What is the difference between Huntington Premier Savings and Relationship Savings?
Premier Savings is the entry-level account: $4 fee, $300 waiver threshold, and roughly 0.01% APY. Relationship Savings pays tiered rates up to about 3.29% APY as of July 2026 but carries a $10 fee unless you keep $2,500 or link a Huntington checking account. Savers with larger balances generally come out well ahead with Relationship Savings.
Is Huntington Premier Savings FDIC insured?
Yes. The Huntington National Bank is FDIC insured, so deposits are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category, if the bank fails. Keep in mind FDIC insurance covers bank failure, not fraud, so enable account alerts and strong login security as well.
