If you save for multiple goals, having the right bank matters. Some banks let you create unlimited "buckets" or sub-accounts within a single savings account, making it easy to track progress on each goal. Others require multiple separate accounts. The best banks for multiple savings buckets combine high yields with strong organizational tools.
This post covers the best banks for keeping multiple savings buckets organized. For the full picture beyond bucket features, see our roundup of the best high-yield savings accounts for earning more interest.
Why Buckets Matter
Without buckets, multi-goal saving becomes confusing.
Without Buckets
All money in one undifferentiated account
Hard to see progress per goal
Easy to commingle and accidentally overspend
Goals feel less real
With Buckets
Each goal has visible balance
Progress is motivating
Money is mentally allocated
Goals feel concrete
Buckets make multi-goal saving sustainable.
What to Look For in a Bank With Buckets
Key Features
Sub-account or bucket support
High interest rate across all buckets
No fees
Easy bucket creation and naming
Visual progress display
Strong mobile experience
FDIC insurance
Top Banks for Multiple Savings Buckets
1. Ally Bank
Ally invented the modern sub-account experience.
Ally Bucket Features
Up to 10 buckets per savings account
Custom names for each
Visual progress display
Same APY across all buckets
Easy money movement between buckets
Surprise Savings feature for automated contributions
Ally is widely considered the gold standard.
2. SoFi
SoFi calls them "vaults."
SoFi Vault Features
Up to 20 vaults per account
Custom names and goal amounts
Visual progress
High APY with direct deposit
Roundup savings feature
Combined with full SoFi banking
Excellent for users wanting integrated banking.
3. Capital One 360 Performance Savings
Capital One supports sub-accounts.
Capital One Features
Multiple sub-accounts within savings
Custom names
Visual progress
Some physical branch access (Capital One Cafés)
Strong mobile app
Great hybrid option.
4. Quontic Bank
Newer entrant with bucket features.
Quontic Features
Multiple sub-accounts
Competitive APY
Modern design
5. Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Marcus does not have built-in buckets, but supports multiple accounts.
Workaround
Open multiple Marcus savings accounts
Name each for a goal
All earn same APY
Less elegant than true buckets but functional.
6. Discover Online Savings
Like Marcus, Discover does not have built-in buckets but supports multiple accounts.
Discover Approach
Open one account per goal
Less consolidated experience
Comparing Approaches
True Sub-Accounts (Ally, SoFi, Capital One)
Single login for all goals
Visual integration
Easy money movement
Cleanest experience
Multiple Separate Accounts (Marcus, Discover)
Some duplication of work
Each account separate login
Same APY across accounts
Less visually integrated
For multi-goal savers, true sub-accounts win.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Buckets at Ally
Step 1: Open Ally Online Savings
If you do not already have one. Takes about 10 minutes online.
Step 2: Navigate to Buckets
Once in your savings account, look for "Buckets" option.
Step 3: Create Your First Bucket
Click "Create a Bucket"
Name it (Emergency Fund, Vacation, etc.)
Set a goal amount and target date (optional)
Save
Step 4: Repeat for Each Goal
Up to 10 buckets per account.
Step 5: Allocate Money to Buckets
Move existing savings into appropriate buckets. New contributions can be directed to specific buckets.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Vaults at SoFi
Step 1: Open SoFi Money
If you do not already have one. Takes about 10 minutes online.
Step 2: Navigate to Vaults
Within SoFi Money, find the Vaults section.
Step 3: Create Vaults
Similar process to Ally buckets. Name, set goal, optional target date.
Step 4: Automate
Set up automatic transfers to specific vaults from your main balance.
A Sample Multi-Bucket Setup
Meet Sam with eight savings goals.
Sam's Ally Buckets
Emergency Fund: $5,000 target
Vacation 2025: $3,000 target
Christmas Gifts: $1,200 target
Birthdays: $600 target
Car Maintenance: $1,000 target
New Car Fund: $15,000 target
Home Repairs: $5,000 target
Wedding Gifts: $500 target
Sam can see progress on each goal at a glance. Total funded across all buckets earns competitive APY.
Pros of Multi-Bucket Banks
Benefits
Goal clarity
Visual motivation
Easy reallocation
Single login
Consistent APY
Goal target tracking
Cons of Multi-Bucket Banks
Drawbacks
Locked to one bank (limited rate shopping per bucket)
Some banks have bucket limits
Cannot have different APY per bucket
For most multi-goal savers, pros outweigh cons.
When Multiple Banks Make More Sense
Some situations call for splitting across banks.
Scenarios
One bucket is very large and benefits from highest rate (Bread Financial, UFB)
You want FDIC coverage across multiple institutions for large balances
You want different terms for different funds (CDs for some)
Most households are simpler with one bucket-enabled bank.
A Hybrid Approach
Many savers combine:
Common Hybrid
Ally for active sinking funds (small to medium amounts, frequent activity)
Bread Financial or UFB Direct for large emergency fund (higher rate priority)
CDs for long-term locked savings
The right combination matches your goals.
Common Multi-Bucket Mistakes
Creating Too Many Buckets
More than 12 buckets becomes hard to manage.
Not Using Goal Targets
The target feature is what makes progress visible.
Forgetting to Automate per Bucket
Manual allocation across buckets is tedious.
Letting Buckets Drift From Reality
Review and rebalance periodically.
Tools That Complement Multi-Bucket Banks
Useful Pairings
YNAB for category-level budgeting
Monarch Money for net worth and goal tracking
Spreadsheets for custom analysis
Buckets handle savings allocation. Other tools handle broader financial planning.
Security Across Multi-Bucket Banks
All the top bucket-enabled banks have strong security.
What to Verify
FDIC insurance up to $250,000
Bank-level encryption
Two-factor authentication
Strong customer service
All listed banks meet these standards.
Ally vs. SoFi vs. Marcus: Savings Buckets Compared
The three most popular high-yield savings accounts approach goal organization very differently. Ally and SoFi offer true in-account buckets, while Marcus relies on a multiple-account workaround. Use the table below to match the right structure to how you save. (APYs are variable and change with the Fed; verify current rates before opening.)
| Feature | Ally Online Savings | SoFi Checking & Savings | Marcus by Goldman Sachs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bucket / sub-account name | Buckets | Vaults | None (separate accounts) |
| Max buckets per account | Up to 10 | Up to 20 | Unlimited separate accounts |
| Single login for all goals | Yes | Yes | No (each account separate) |
| Goal target & date tracking | Yes | Yes | No built-in tracking |
| Typical APY (variable) | ~4.00% APY | Up to ~4.20% APY with direct deposit | ~3.90% APY |
| Monthly fees | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Minimum to open | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Automated round-up saving | Surprise Savings | Roundups | Not available |
| FDIC insured | Yes ($250k) | Yes (up to $2M via partner network) | Yes ($250k) |
| Best for | Clean, proven bucket experience | Most buckets + integrated banking | Simple savers who prefer separate accounts |
Bottom line: choose Ally if you want the most polished, battle-tested bucket system with everything under one login. Pick SoFi if you juggle many goals (up to 20 vaults) and want checking, savings, and roundups in one app with the highest potential APY. Consider Marcus only if you are comfortable opening and managing a separate account per goal in exchange for a trusted Goldman Sachs name and a competitive flat rate.
Conclusion: Buckets Are a Game-Changer for Multi-Goal Savers
For anyone juggling multiple savings goals, bucket-enabled banks transform the experience. Goals become visible. Progress becomes motivating. Allocation becomes clear. The mental load of managing money drops substantially.
Ally, SoFi, and Capital One are the strongest options. Open an account, set up your buckets, and watch your savings strategy come to life.
Take action today. Choose Ally Bank, SoFi, or Capital One 360. Open the savings account. Set up your first 4–6 buckets for your most important goals. Automate the contributions. Within a month, multi-goal saving will feel completely natural — and visibly successful.
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