American Express vs. Briodirect
High-Yield Savings Account Comparison
By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: October 21, 2025
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Summary of American Express vs. BrioDirect
Key Metrics at a Glance
| Feature | American Express | BrioDirect |
|---|---|---|
| Top Savings APY | 3.50% High Yield Savings Account | 4.20% High-Yield Savings Account |
| Minimum to Open | $0 | $5,000 |
| Minimum Balance for Top APY | $0 | $25 |
American Express
Strengths
- American Express offers a competitive APY of 3.50% with no minimum deposit.
- No maintenance fees on the High Yield Savings Account.
- High App Store rating of 4.9.
Potential Drawbacks
- American Express has an F rating from the BBB and is not accredited.
- No branches available for in-person banking.
- Google Play rating is only 3.7.
BrioDirect
Strengths
- BrioDirect's High-Yield Savings Account has a higher APY of 4.20%.
- BrioDirect has a better BBB rating of B-.
- Google Play rating is 4.3, higher than American Express.
Potential Drawbacks
- Requires a minimum deposit of $5,000 to open an account.
- Minimum balance of $25 is needed to avoid fees.
- No branches available for in-person banking.
→ As of October 21, 2025 American Express offers an APY of 3.50% for its High Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to BrioDirect's 4.20% APY for its High-Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $25.
→ BrioDirect yields $70 more than American Express on a $10,000 balance after one year. American Express pays $350, while BrioDirect pays $420 - an APY advantage for BrioDirect.
Calculate Savings Growth for American Express vs BrioDirect
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 OverviewBrioDirect - High-Yield Savings Account
Total savings breakdown:
- Interest earned: $2,564.3 (12.47%)
- Total contributions: $13,000 (63.22%)
- Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.31%)
Your total balance
$20,564.30
Total balance: $20,564.3
Earnings: $2,564.3
Bank OverviewWith a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, American Express's total earnings would be $450.2 lower than BrioDirect's total earnings.
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Compare American Express' vs BrioDirect's Savings Accounts
| American Express | BrioDirect | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | High Yield Savings Account | vs | High-Yield Savings Account |
| APY | 3.50% (as of 10/21/2025) | 4.20% (as of 10/21/2025) | |
| Bundled Account | No | No | |
| FDIC-insured | Yes | Yes | |
| Online Only | Yes | Yes | |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily | |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $5,000 | |
| Minimum Balance for APY | $0 | $25 | |
| Maintenance Fee | $0 | $0 | |
| Direct Deposit Required | No | No | |
| App Store Rating | 4.9/5 | 4.7/5 | |
| Google Play Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.3/5 | |
| BBB Rating | F | B- |
Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 9 Months)
| American Express | BrioDirect | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | High Yield Savings Account | vs | High-Yield Savings Account |
| Latest APY | 3.50 % | 4.20 % | |
| Trend | Sideways | Sideways | |
| Slope (bps/mo) | -3.7 | -3.9 | |
| Rate Changes / Mo | 0.33 | 0.55 | |
| Days Since Last Change | 90 | 14 | |
| High (-9 m) | 3.80 % | 4.55 % | |
| Low (-9 m) | 3.50 % | 4.20 % | |
| Draw-down from High | -7.9 % | -7.7 % | |
| Volatility (CV) | 0.028 | 0.025 |
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 273 days.
- Low (-9 m)
- Lowest APY in the last 273 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.