The holidays are coming up quickly and it’s imperative your finances can withstand all the expenses that go along with this time of year. If you’re not sure you can handle the extra expenses, it’s a good idea to take advantage of the best Illinois savings rates available today so you can build a safety net of extra cash for 2012.

Everyone has a preference when it comes to where they like to bank. Some prefer the convenience of national chains, while others may actually belong to a credit union. A growing number of local residents happen to prefer the smaller, community-oriented Illinois banks.

When looking around for a new local savings or CD account, you probably search for the highest Illinois interest rate as a way to determine which account is best. While interest rates are extremely important, the CD or savings account with the very highest rate near you isn’t the only good option.

Are you ready for the upcoming holiday season? It’s getting closer, which means you’re spending will most likely begin to increase too. Put a stop to a mound of debt next year by ramping up your savings now. You can do this most easily by securing a savings account with a competitive rate. So where can you find the best savings rates in Illinois today?

Have you been saving money this summer? If you’ve been spending more on vacations and shopping this season than you care to admit, there’s no reason you can’t get your finances back on track today. There are many banks and credit unions in Illinois offering great savings accounts that will maximize your deposits. Below are the best Illinois savings account rates today.

If you’ve been looking for a new bank to open an account or apply for a loan, you should also consider your neighborhood credit union. Illinois credit unions have some of the best interest rates to offer these days. Illinois Banking Rates has compiled a list of the average and highest interest rates from the 136 credit unions within Illinois to help you locate the best offers near you.

Whether you’re looking for a simple savings account or longer-term commitment like a certificate of deposit, the interest rate it earns is very important. The best rates depend on where you live, as some locales have higher rates that others. That’s why knowing the average interest rates in your home town, like the average Illinois interest rates, will help you determine which banks and credit unions near you have the best offers on deposit accounts.

When looking for the best savings account rates, it’s important to know more than just the highest interest rate in the city. Even a savings rate isn’t the highest one, it can still be an excellent rate that will help your balance grow. Therefore, you should regularly check up on the average Illinois savings rate to get a benchmark for comparing accounts. If you find an offer that beats the city average, you have found a competitive interest rate for your area.

If you’re not currently earning a competitive rate on your savings, you’re basically wasting money. As we head into July, let’s examine current savings rate trends in Illinois and find out where the best rates are today.

Current Savings Account Interest Rates in Illinois

In order to better understand current savings rate trends in your area, here’s a breakdown of interest rates presently available:

There are thousands of financial institutions throughout the U.S., several of which are probably in your home town. From bustling cities to tiny suburbs, there’s no shortage of banks and credit unions nearby. So when you’re trying to maximize your deposits and find the highest interest rates to help them grow, how do you know where to go? Below, Illinois Banking Rates has compared the average bank rates in Illinois with those at local credit unions to find out whether community banks or CUs have the best overall interest rates to offer.