High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

American Express vs. BMO Alto

Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated January 7, 2026
Comparison of American Express vs BMO Alto savings accounts
Metric

American Express

High Yield Savings Account

Jan 7, 2026

BMO Alto

Savings Account

Jan 7, 2026
APY3.30%3.25%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$165
$10,000+$330
$25,000+$825
$5,000+$163
$10,000+$325
$25,000+$813
Min Deposit
$0$0

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppZelle® Supported
FDIC InsuredNo Minimums

Market Reality Check

Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.21% APY.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing American Express vs. BMO Alto

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

As of American Express offers an APY of 3.30% 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 pays $5 more than BMO Alto on a $10,000 balance after one year. American Express pays $330, while BMO Alto pays $325 - an APY advantage for American Express.

Why American Express?

  • Higher rated iOS app (4.9 vs 0.0)
  • Fast transfers via Zelle®

Why BMO Alto?

No distinct advantages found vs American Express.

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Both banks have options with $0 opening deposit Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line on APY (Interest Only)

Over a 1-year period, American Express's High Yield Savings Account pays $5 more interest on a $10,000 balance than BMO Alto's Savings Account.

*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.

BMO AltoAmerican Express

Executive Summary as of

American Express offers a High Yield Savings Account with a competitive APY of 3.30%, making it the top choice compared to BMO Alto's Savings Account, which provides a slightly lower APY of 3.25%. Both accounts require no minimum deposit or balance and have no maintenance fees, with interest compounded daily. Additionally, both accounts are online-only, ensuring easy access for customers. Overall, American Express stands out with its marginally higher yield.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.

Verify At
American Express

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
BMO Alto

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

American Express vs. BMO Alto Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for High Yield Savings Account and Savings Account
$
$

You earn $5 more with American Express than BMO Alto 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

3.30% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$330.00(3.2%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,330.00

Effective APY
3.30%

BMO Alto

Savings Account

3.25% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$325.00(3.1%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,325.00

Effective APY
3.25%

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

FeatureAmerican ExpressBMO Alto
APY
3.30%
Verified: 1/7/2026
↘︎ 0.20%90d Change
3.25%
Verified: 1/7/2026
Stable (90d)
Product NameHigh Yield Savings AccountSavings Account
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$0
Monthly Fee$0$0
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android3.6
iOS-
Android-
Zelle® Support
Available
Requires Amex Rewards Checking; not available for standalone HYSA.
Not Supported
BBB RatingFA+
Next Steps
Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 11 Months Analysis
MetricAmerican ExpressBMO Alto
High Yield Savings AccountSavings Account
Current APY
3.30%3.25%
Trend
Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-3.4-6.6
Days Since Change
8110
11-Month High
3.80%4.10%
11-Month Low
3.30%3.25%
Adjustments / Mo
0.430.43
Volatility Score
0.0350.070
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)

Trends & Velocity

  • Trend: The general direction of the rate over the analyzed period. Useful for spotting if a bank is currently aggressive or pulling back.
  • Velocity (bps/mo): Speed of change. A high positive number means they raise rates quickly. 10 bps = 0.10%.
  • Adjustments/Mo: "Twitchiness." High frequency means the rate changes constantly; low frequency means it's stable.

Risk & Range

  • High/Low: The absolute ceiling and floor of the rate during the 350-day window.
  • Volatility Score: Lower is better for predictability. It indicates how wildly the rate swings relative to its average.
  • Days Since Change: If this number is high (e.g., >90), the rate is very sticky. If low, it changed recently.

More Comparisons

Compare American Express' APY of 3.30% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
American Express vs Affirm3.20%$0
American Express vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
American Express vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
American Express vs Bank of America0.01%$100
American Express vs Barclays4.00%$0
American Express vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
American Express vs Betterment3.25%$10
American Express vs Bread Savings4.05%$100
American Express vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
American Express vs Capital One3.40%$0
American Express vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
American Express vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
American Express vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
American Express vs Chime3.50%$0
American Express vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
American Express vs Citibank3.30%$0
American Express vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
American Express vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
American Express vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
American Express vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
American Express vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
American Express vs Elevault3.82%$0
American Express vs EverBank3.90%$0
American Express vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
American Express vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
American Express vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
American Express vs FVCbank3.85%$500
American Express vs GO2bank4.50%$0
American Express vs Ivy Bank4.10%$2,500
American Express vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
American Express vs LendingClub4.00%$0
American Express vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
American Express vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
American Express vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
American Express vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
American Express vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
American Express vs Openbank4.20%$500
American Express vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
American Express vs Pibank4.60%$0
American Express vs PNC3.30%$0
American Express vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
American Express vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
American Express vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
American Express vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
American Express vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
American Express vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
American Express vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
American Express vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
American Express vs TD Bank2.60%$0
American Express vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
American Express vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
American Express vs Upgrade3.05%$0
American Express vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
American Express vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
American Express vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
American Express vs Wealthfront3.90%$0
American Express vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
American Express vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10
Compare BMO Alto's APY of 3.25% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
BMO Alto vs Affirm3.20%$0
BMO Alto vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
BMO Alto vs Bank of America0.01%$100
BMO Alto vs Barclays4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
BMO Alto vs Betterment3.25%$10
BMO Alto vs Bread Savings4.05%$100
BMO Alto vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
BMO Alto vs Capital One3.40%$0
BMO Alto vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
BMO Alto vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
BMO Alto vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
BMO Alto vs Chime3.50%$0
BMO Alto vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
BMO Alto vs Citibank3.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
BMO Alto vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
BMO Alto vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
BMO Alto vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
BMO Alto vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
BMO Alto vs Elevault3.82%$0
BMO Alto vs EverBank3.90%$0
BMO Alto vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
BMO Alto vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
BMO Alto vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs FVCbank3.85%$500
BMO Alto vs GO2bank4.50%$0
BMO Alto vs Ivy Bank4.10%$2,500
BMO Alto vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
BMO Alto vs LendingClub4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
BMO Alto vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
BMO Alto vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
BMO Alto vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
BMO Alto vs Openbank4.20%$500
BMO Alto vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
BMO Alto vs Pibank4.60%$0
BMO Alto vs PNC3.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
BMO Alto vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
BMO Alto vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
BMO Alto vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
BMO Alto vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
BMO Alto vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
BMO Alto vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
BMO Alto vs TD Bank2.60%$0
BMO Alto vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
BMO Alto vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
BMO Alto vs Upgrade3.05%$0
BMO Alto vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
BMO Alto vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
BMO Alto vs Wealthfront3.90%$0
BMO Alto vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
BMO Alto vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10