When we recommend a bank account, credit card, or other financial product, the recommendation is based on published data and clearly stated criteria — not on hands-on testing we have not actually done. Here is exactly how we choose what to include and how we keep recommendations honest.
Our product guides and comparisons are editorially researched, not hands-on tested. This means we have not personally opened, funded, or lived with every account we mention. Instead, we evaluate products based on publicly available information from the issuing bank, regulatory disclosures, and reputable rate aggregators.
We will never label a review "hands-on tested" or "personally tested" unless a named author has actually used the product and documented the experience. Our high-yield savings account guide is a good example of this editorially researched approach.
For savings accounts and similar deposit products, we look at:
Product information is gathered from:
Every rate or fee we publish includes a "last verified" date. Financial product terms change frequently, so we date our data rather than presenting it as permanent.
A product appears in our recommendations when it meets the criteria above and serves a clear reader need — for example, the highest available APY, the lowest barrier to entry, or the best option for a specific situation. We include drawbacks and limitations alongside strengths so readers can make an informed choice, not just see a sales pitch.
We do not include products that charge fees that erase a typical year's interest, or institutions without FDIC insurance.
Wealth Growth may earn a commission when readers open accounts through some links on our site. This does not change which products we recommend or the rates we report. Affiliate relationships never influence our editorial coverage. We feature products that do not pay us a commission when they are genuinely competitive, and we note drawbacks of products even when they are affiliate partners.
See our advertising disclosure for full details.
Product guides are reviewed at least monthly, and updated whenever a rate, fee, or product availability changes. Each guide shows a "last verified" date so readers know how current the information is. If a product is discontinued or a rate is no longer competitive, we remove or replace it rather than leaving stale data live.
Disclaimer: Product information is verified to the best of our ability at the "last verified" date shown, but rates and terms can change at any time. Always confirm current details on the bank's website before opening an account. This methodology page is for transparency about how we work, not financial advice.