Ally Bank vs. Santander Bank
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
| Metric | Ally BankSavings Account Jan 21, 2026 | Santander BankSantander Savings Jan 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% | 0.01% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$165 $10,000+$330 $25,000+$825 | $5,000+$1 $10,000+$1 $25,000+$3 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $25 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® Supported | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® Supported |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.20% APY.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Ally Bank vs. Santander Bank
As of Ally Bank offers an APY of 3.30% for its Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to Santander Bank's 0.01% APY for its Santander Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.
Ally Bank pays $329 more than Santander Bank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Ally Bank pays $330, while Santander Bank pays $1 - an APY advantage for Ally Bank.
Why Ally Bank?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.30% vs 0.01%) on all balances
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.4 vs 4.0)
Why Santander Bank?
- ✓Physical branch access (Primarily in the Northeast and Miami, Florida)
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Ally BankAlly Bank's Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $330 vs $1/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Ally BankAlly Bank's Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $825 vs $3/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Ally BankAlly Bank's Savings Account offers 3.30% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Ally Bank's Savings Account pays $329 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Santander Bank's Santander Savings.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Executive Summary as of
Ally Bank offers a competitive Savings Account with a notable APY of 3.30%, making it an excellent choice for savers seeking higher returns without any direct deposit requirements or maintenance fees. This online-only account has no minimum deposit or balance, ensuring accessibility for all users. In contrast, Santander Bank's Savings Account provides a significantly lower APY of just 0.01%, with a minimum deposit requirement of $25 and a maintenance fee of $1. Therefore, Ally Bank stands out as the superior option for savers looking to maximize their interest earnings.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Ally Bank vs. Santander Bank Savings Calculator
You earn $329 more with Ally Bank than Santander Bank on a $10,000 initial deposit for 1 year*.
*This calculation assumes that APYs remain unchanged for 1 year, and takes into account known promo rate periods, but does not factor in bonuses. You can see how often these banks have changed their rates in the Compare Savings Rates Over Time section below.
Ally Bank
Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$330.00(3.2%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,330.00
Santander Bank
Santander Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$1.00(0.0%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,001.00
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
| Feature | Ally Bank | Santander Bank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% Verified: 1/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 0.01% Verified: 1/21/2026 Stable (90d) |
| Product Name | Savings Account | Santander Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $1 |
| Branch Access | None | Yes |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online & Branches |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | iOS4.7 Android4.4 | iOS4.8 Android4.0 |
| Zelle® Support | Available Limit: $5,000/dayBenchmark for online Zelle; high limits. | Available Branch-based retail accounts only. |
| BBB Rating | A+ | Not Rated |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Ally Bank Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Santander Bank Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Ally Bank | Santander Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Savings Account | Santander Savings | |
Current APY | 3.30% | 0.01% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -4.1 | -0.2 |
Days Since Change | 82 | 124 |
12-Month High | 3.80% | 0.03% |
12-Month Low | 3.30% | 0.01% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.42 | 0.08 |
Volatility Score | 0.043 | 0.453 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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High Rates (With Checking Bundle)
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