American Express vs. Axos Bank

High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Last Updated: October 14, 2025

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Summary of American Express vs. Axos Bank

Key Metrics at a Glance

FeatureAmerican ExpressAxos Bank
Top Savings APY

3.50%

High Yield Savings Account

4.51%

Axos ONE

Minimum to Open$0$0
Minimum Balance for APY$0$0

American Express

Strengths

  • American Express offers a High Yield Savings Account with a competitive APY of 3.50%.
  • No maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements for American Express accounts.
  • American Express has a high App Store rating of 4.9.

Potential Drawbacks

  • American Express has a BBB rating of F and is not BBB accredited.
  • American Express does not offer direct deposit options for higher APY.
  • American Express has a lower Google Play rating of 3.7.

Axos Bank

Strengths

  • Axos Bank offers a higher APY of 4.51% with qualifying deposits.
  • Axos Bank has a BBB rating of A+ and is BBB accredited.
  • Axos Bank has a strong Google Play rating of 4.6.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Axos Bank's higher APY requires direct deposit or monthly qualifying deposits.
  • Axos Bank's App Store rating is lower at 4.7 compared to American Express.
  • Axos Bank's High Yield Savings account offers a significantly lower APY of 0.61%.
Summary: American Express provides a solid APY of 3.50% without direct deposit requirements, but has an F BBB rating. In contrast, Axos Bank offers a higher APY of 4.51% with specific deposit conditions and boasts an A+ BBB rating. However, Axos has lower APY options and a slightly lower App Store rating than American Express. Overall, Axos may appeal more to those who can meet deposit requirements for higher returns.

→ As of October 14, 2025 American Express offers an APY of 3.50% for its High Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to Axos Bank's 4.51% APY for its Axos ONE account, with a minimum balance of $0.

Axos Bank yields $101 more than American Express on a $10,000 balance after one year. American Express pays $350, while Axos Bank pays $451 - an APY advantage for Axos Bank.

→ In addition, Axos Bank also offers 4.00% APY for the Summit Savings account.

Calculate Savings Growth for American Express vs Axos Bank

All calculations are based on APY.

American Express

APY: 3.50%

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $2,114.1 (10.51%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (64.63%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.86%)

Your total balance

$20,114.10

Effective APY: 3.50% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,114.1

Earnings: $2,114.1

Bank Overview

Axos Bank

APY: 4.51%

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $2,766.7 (13.32%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (62.60%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.08%)

Your total balance

$20,766.70

Effective APY: 4.51% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,766.7

Earnings: $2,766.7

With a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, American Express's total earnings would be $652.6 lower than Axos Bank's total earnings.

The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.

Compare American Express' vs Axos Bank's Savings Accounts

American ExpressAxos Bank
ProductHigh Yield Savings AccountvsAxos ONESummit SavingsHigh Yield Savings
APY
3.50% (as of 10/14/2025)4.51% (as of 10/14/2025)4.00% (as of 10/14/2025)0.61% (as of 10/14/2025)
Bundled Account
NoYesNoNo
FDIC-insured
YesYesYesYes
Online OnlyYesYesYesYes
Compound Frequency
DailyDailyDailyDaily
Minimum Deposit$0$0$0$0
Minimum Balance for APY$0$0$0$0
Maintenance Fee$0$0$0$0
Direct Deposit Required
NoNo. Not required, but is the easiest way to earn the highest APY.NoNo
NoteThis APY is only available with the Axos ONE savings and checking bundle. To qualify, you must either set up a direct deposit of $1,500 and maintain an average daily balance of more than $1,500 in your ONE Checking account, or receive at least $5,000 in total monthly qualifying deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $5,000.
Sponsored Link
App Store Rating4.9/54.7/5
Google Play Rating3.7/54.6/5
BBB RatingFA+

Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 9 Months)

American ExpressAxos Bank
ProductHigh Yield Savings AccountvsHigh Yield SavingsSummit SavingsAxos ONE
Latest APY3.50 %0.61 %4.00 %4.51 %
TrendSidewaysSidewaysSidewaysFalling
Slope (bps/mo)-3.80.00.0-5.2
Rate Changes / Mo0.340.000.000.34
Days Since Last Change8426610712
High (-9 m)3.80 %0.61 %4.00 %4.86 %
Low (-9 m)3.50 %0.61 %4.00 %4.46 %
Draw-down from High-7.9 %0.0 %0.0 %-7.2 %
Volatility (CV)0.0280.0000.0000.031
APY Insights Glossary
Latest APY
Most recent advertised annual-percentage yield.
Trend
Direction over the last 9 months (regression slope).
Slope (bps/mo)
Average monthly change; 10 bps = 0.10 pp.
Rate Changes / Mo
Typical number of APY moves per month.
Days Since Last Change
Recency of the latest APY adjustment.
High (-9 m)
Highest APY in the last 266 days.
Low (-9 m)
Lowest APY in the last 266 days.
Draw-down from High
How far today sits below the 9-month peak.
Volatility (CV)
Coefficient of variation = stdev ÷ mean.
Why Track Savings-Account APYs?
  • See how quickly a bank reacts to Fed moves or competition.
  • Gauge “twitchiness” - frequent moves can annoy savers.
  • Spot if you're buying near a peak (draw-down) or riding a rise.
  • Slope (bps/mo) shows speed of change.
  • Volatility (CV) scales jumps by average level.

More Comparisons

Compare American Express' APY of 3.50% with other banks
Compare Axos Bank's APY of 4.51% with other banks