American Express vs. Bmo Alto
High-Yield Savings Account Comparison
By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: November 12, 2025
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Summary of American Express vs. BMO Alto
Key Metrics at a Glance
| Feature | American Express | BMO Alto |
|---|---|---|
| Top Savings APY | 3.50% High Yield Savings Account | 3.25% Savings Account |
| Minimum to Open | $0 | $0 |
| Minimum Balance for Top APY | $0 | $0 |
American Express
Strengths
- American Express offers a higher APY of 3.50% compared to BMO Alto's 3.25%.
- American Express has no maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements.
- American Express has a high App Store rating of 4.9.
Potential Drawbacks
- American Express has an F rating from the BBB and is not accredited.
- American Express has a lower Google Play rating of 3.6.
BMO Alto
Strengths
- BMO Alto has an A+ BBB rating and is accredited.
- BMO Alto has no maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements.
Potential Drawbacks
- BMO Alto offers a lower APY of 3.25% compared to American Express's 3.50%.
- BMO Alto has a lower App Store rating compared to American Express.
→ As of November 12, 2025 American Express offers an APY of 3.50% for its High Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to BMO Alto's 3.25% APY for its Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0.
→ American Express yields $25 more than BMO Alto on a $10,000 balance after one year. American Express pays $350, while BMO Alto pays $325 - an APY advantage for American Express.
Calculate Savings Growth for American Express vs BMO Alto
American Express - High Yield Savings Account
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
Total balance: $20,114.1
Earnings: $2,114.1
Bank OverviewBMO Alto - Savings Account
Total savings breakdown:
- Interest earned: $1,955.5 (9.80%)
- Total contributions: $13,000 (65.14%)
- Initial deposit: $5,000 (25.06%)
Your total balance
$19,955.50
Total balance: $19,955.5
Earnings: $1,955.5
Bank OverviewWith a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, American Express's total earnings would be $158.6 higher than BMO Alto's total earnings.
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Compare American Express' vs BMO Alto's Savings Accounts
| American Express | BMO Alto | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | High Yield Savings Account | vs | Savings Account |
| APY | 3.50% (as of 11/12/2025) | 3.25% (as of 11/12/2025) | |
| Bundled Account | No | No | |
| FDIC-insured | Yes | Yes | |
| Online Only | Yes | Yes | |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily | |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| Minimum Balance for APY | $0 | $0 | |
| Maintenance Fee | $0 | $0 | |
| Direct Deposit Required | No | No | |
| App Store Rating | 4.9/5 | No | |
| Google Play Rating | 3.6/5 | No | |
| BBB Rating | F | A+ |
Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 10 Months)
| American Express | BMO Alto | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | High Yield Savings Account | vs | Savings Account |
| Latest APY | 3.50 % | 3.25 % | |
| Trend | Sideways | Falling | |
| Slope (bps/mo) | -3.3 | -7.4 | |
| Rate Changes / Mo | 0.31 | 0.51 | |
| Days Since Last Change | 113 | 55 | |
| High (-10 m) | 3.80 % | 4.10 % | |
| Low (-10 m) | 3.50 % | 3.25 % | |
| Draw-down from High | -7.9 % | -20.7 % | |
| Volatility (CV) | 0.028 | 0.065 |
APY Insights Glossary
- Latest APY
- Most recent advertised annual-percentage yield.
- Trend
- Direction over the last 10 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 (-10 m)
- Highest APY in the last 295 days.
- Low (-10 m)
- Lowest APY in the last 295 days.
- Draw-down from High
- How far today sits below the 10-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.