American Express vs. Barclays
Comparing American Express and Barclays for high-yield savings: American Express's High Yield Savings Account pays 3.20% APY while Barclays's Tiered Savings pays 3.85% APY.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Barclays pays $50 more than American Express annually ($370 vs $320).
Choose American Express if you want Zelle for quick transfers. Choose Barclays if getting the best rate matters most, or BBB rating matters to you.
| Metric | American ExpressHigh Yield Savings Account Mar 24, 2026 | BarclaysTiered Savings Mar 24, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% | 3.70% - 3.85% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$160 $10,000+$320 $25,000+$800 | $5,000+$185 $10,000+$370 $25,000+$925 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | - | The 3.85% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.70%. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.15% APY.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing American Express vs. Barclays
Executive Summary
Barclays offers a Tiered Savings account with a competitive APY of 3.85%, available for balances over $250,000, while lower balances earn 3.70%. In contrast, American Express provides a High Yield Savings Account with a 3.20% APY, requiring no minimum deposit or balance, and no direct deposit. Both accounts are online-only and have no maintenance fees. Although American Express's account is simpler, Barclays's higher APY makes it more attractive for those with larger deposits.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why American Express?
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle®
Why Barclays?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.85% vs 3.20%) on all balances
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
BarclaysBarclays's Tiered Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $370 vs $320/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
BarclaysBarclays's Tiered Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $925 vs $800/yr).
Best for Simplicity
American ExpressAmerican Express's High Yield Savings Account offers 3.20% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Barclays's Tiered Savings pays $50 more interest on a $10,000 balance than American Express's High Yield Savings Account.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
American Express vs. Barclays Savings Calculator
You earn $50 more with Barclays than American Express 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.
American Express
High Yield Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$320.00(3.1%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,320.00
Barclays
Tiered Savings
Higher APY requires $250,000
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$370.00(3.6%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,370.00
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Still banking with Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo?
On a $10,000 balance, you're missing out on at least $319 per year in interest.
Both American Express and Barclays dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | American Express | Barclays |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% Verified: 3/24/2026 ↘︎ 0.20%90d Change | 3.85% Range: 3.70% - 3.85% Verified: 3/24/2026 ↘︎ 0.15%90d Change |
| Product Name | High Yield Savings Account | Tiered Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $250,000 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | None | None |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Available Requires Amex Rewards Checking; not available for standalone HYSA. | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | F | A+ |
| Important Notes | - | The 3.85% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.70%. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at American Express Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Barclays Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | American Express | Barclays | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Yield Savings Account | Tiered Savings | Online Savings | |
Current APY | 3.20% | 3.85% | 3.50% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -3.7 | -3.5 | -2.6 |
Days Since Change | 6 | 32 | 32 |
12-Month High | 3.70% | 4.40% | 3.90% |
12-Month Low | 3.20% | 3.85% | 3.50% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.41 | 0.58 | 0.49 |
Volatility Score | 0.039 | 0.033 | 0.026 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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High Rates (With Checking Bundle)
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