After months of lowered CD and savings rates, it appears that the tides may be turning for savers. E*Trade financial has recently raised the savings rate on their complete savings account, with a 3.15% APY. While this is a pretty high rate for a savings account, there are a few higher rates online: WT Direct with 3.31% APY, and Washinton Mutual’s with 3.30% APY.

Their savings account features:

• $1 minimum deposit to open account
• No minimums or account fees
• No hard credit inquiry
• Free online ACH transfer system
• 6 withdrawal limits per month
• $100K per day limit on outgoing and incoming ACH transfers
• ACH transfers complete in one business day
• 9 day hold time for initial deposit (ACH or check)
• No hold for wire transfers

You can also sign up for a checking account that features:

• 3.25% APY on balances over $5,000
• Unlimited ATM fee refunds
• Free online bill pay
• Unlimited check writing
• Online check and deposit images

While average CD rates have been relatively flat in April, a handful of banks offering high-yield CDs – such as Capital One Financial Corp., Advanta Corp.’s Advanta Bank and E*Trade Financial Corp. – have recently bumped up yields on some of their CDs stretching out three to five years.

For the banks, a steepening yield curve – when longer-term rates are higher than short-term rates – makes it easier for them to offer higher rates on longer-term CDs. That’s a sharp contrast from a year ago, when the yield curve was relatively flat or inverted. That meant savers were earning about the same, or even more, to hold money in shorter-term instruments as in longer-term ones.