Kasasa bank accounts: Get up to 6% APY with this high-yield checking account

Checking accounts aren't known for their interest rates, which makes those that offer returns rivaling what even high-yield savings accounts offer stand out more.

Fintech company Kasasa® partners with community banks and credit unions to offer above-average checking rates and rewards to those banking locally — some even as high as 6% APY, which outpaces the top interest-bearing checking accounts we found. With a community bank, customers can also get in-person branch access and more personalized customer service.

Kasasa is a financial services company working with small banks and credit unions to offer products like checking and savings accounts that reward customers with above-average interest rates and cash-back rewards.

Although a handful of different Kasasa accounts exist, what's available to you depends on your location since Kasasa is all about banking locally. Those interested can enter their zip code on Kasasa's website to find the nearest banks and/or credit unions that offer Kasasa products. Depending on the financial institution that populates, you may be required to visit a branch to open a Kasasa account, otherwise, you can enroll online.

While the rates, rewards, caps and qualifications can vary from one Kasasa partner financial institution to the next, all Kasasa accounts at its partners include the below:

• Zero minimum balance requirements
• Zero monthly maintenance fees
• Access to ATMs nationwide
• Rewards with qualifications

Kasasa accounts are NCUA- or FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor through their partner credit unions and banks where they're available.

Kasasa offers a handful of different checking accounts, one savings account and loans. Its most popular accounts are its two checking accounts, Kasasa Cash^® and Kasasa Cash Back^®, and its savings account, Free Kasasa Saver^®.

Kasasa Cash

With Kasasa Cash, account holders can earn up to a whopping 7% APY on select balances. Interest rates vary by bank. For example, Falcon National Bank Kasasa Cash Checking offers 6% APY on balances up to and including $25,000 when qualifications are met: make at least 15 debit card purchases, schedule at least one direct deposit or ACH credit transaction, plus opt into e-statements. There's also a $50 minimum deposit required. This account can be opened online.

At a different partner bank, Hanover Bank, Kasasa Cash Checking offers 5.75% APY on balances up to and including $25,000 when qualifications are met: make at least 12 debit card purchases, schedule at least one direct deposit, ACH payment or ACH credit transaction(s), opt into e-statements and enroll in online or mobile banking. There's also a $100 minimum deposit required. This account can also be opened online.

Kasasa Cash Back

With Kasasa Cash Back, account holders can earn up to 6% cash back on up to $300 in monthly debit card purchases. When we see how this offer translates to specific banks that offer this account, Falcon National Bank Kasasa Cash Back Checking Account offers 6% cash back on debit card purchases, without any category restrictions, up to $250 monthly when qualifications are met, which are the same as above. This means that account holders can earn as much as $180 per year in cash back on debit card purchases, or up to $15 per month. There's a $50 minimum deposit required.

The Hanover Bank Kasasa Cash Back Checking offers 5% cash back on debit card purchases up to $200 when qualifications are met, which are the same requirements as the other Hanover Bank account above. This means that account holders can earn as much as $120 per year in cash back on debit card purchases, or  up to $10 per month. There's a $25 minimum deposit required.

Kasasa Saver

With Kasasa Saver, account holders can automate their savings by meeting Kasasa's checking qualifications — meaning they have to first have a Kasasa checking account. The Falcon National Bank Kasasa Saver Savings Account, specifically, offers 4% APY on balances up to and including $250,000, which is a pretty large cap for earning a solid return.

Hanover Bank also offers a Kasasa Saver account with 2.25% APY on balances up to and including $100,000 when qualifications are met.

Two other checking accounts that Kasasa advertises on its website are Kasasa Eats^® and Kasasa Play^®, but you have to find a local bank that offers these.

Kasasa Eats

With Kasasa Eats, account holders can earn up to 6% cash back on select grocery stores and delivery services.

Kasasa Play

With Kasasa Play, account holders can earn up to $15 per month cash back on select streaming services.

When it comes to checking accounts, Kasasa stands out for its high APY. The highest checking account return we've found outside of Kasasa is up to 5.15% APY, offered by All America Bank^® Ultimate Rewards Checking. This high APY is offered only on balances up to $15,000. Though by not much, the Falcon National Bank Kasasa Cash Checking offering 6% APY on balances up to and including $25,000 is a bit better. All America Bank also has similar qualifications, such as making 10 debit card transactions per month and opting into e-statements.

When it comes to savings accounts, however, Kasasa Saver accounts don't have the highest APYs we've found. Savers can earn a bit better of a return than 4% APY on balances up to and including $250,000 (using the Falcon National Bank Kasasa Saver Savings Account's APY as an example). A few high-yield savings accounts are offering well above 5% APY with no caps, such as the below:

If you're looking to have that money sitting in your checking account go a bit further, Kasasa accounts at a local bank or credit union offering APYs around 6% can be good options. See if there's a participating financial institution near you and enroll either online or in person.

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 article 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.

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