American Express vs Chime
High-Yield Savings Accounts Comparison

Last Updated: August 29, 2025

We earn a commission if you open an account through some links on this page.

Summary of American Express vs. Chime

As of August 29, 2025 American Express offers an APY of 3.50% for its High Yield Savings Account account, compared to Chime's 3.75% APY for its Chime Savings Account account.

Chime yields $25 more than American Express on a $10,000 balance after one year. American Express pays $350, while Chime pays $375 - an APY advantage for Chime.

American Express

Strengths

  • American Express offers a competitive APY of 3.50%.
  • No minimum deposit or balance requirements for the High Yield Savings Account.
  • American Express has no maintenance fees.

Potential Drawbacks

  • American Express has a BBB rating of F and is not accredited.
  • Only available online with no branches.
  • App Store rating is lower than Chime's.

Chime

Strengths

  • Chime offers a higher APY of 3.75%.
  • Chime has a strong BBB rating of A-.
  • Chime's Google Play rating is significantly higher at 4.7.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Chime requires a direct deposit of $200 to earn the listed APY.
  • Minimum balance of $0.01 is needed for the Chime Savings Account.
  • Chime is not a bank; services are provided by partner banks.
Summary: American Express offers a 3.50% APY with no direct deposit requirement, but has a low BBB rating. Chime provides a higher 3.75% APY but requires a $200 direct deposit and has a better BBB rating of A-. Both banks operate online only, but Chime has a higher Google Play rating.

Compare American Express' vs Chime's Savings Accounts

American ExpressChime
ProductHigh Yield Savings AccountvsChime Savings Account
APY
3.50% (as of 8/29/2025)1.25% - 3.75% (as of 8/29/2025)
Bundled Account
NoYes
FDIC-insured
YesYes
Online OnlyYesYes
Compound Frequency
DailyDaily
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Minimum Balance for APY$0$0.01
Maintenance Fee$0$0
Direct Deposit Required
NoYes. You need to receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the preceding 34 days
NoteChime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. To open a savings account you must first open a checking account. To qualify for Chime+ with the 3.75% APY, you must have a Chime Checking account and receive a direct deposit of at least $200. Otherwise, the APY is 1.25%.
App Store Rating4.9/54.8/5
Google Play Rating3.8/54.7/5
BBB RatingFA-

Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 7 Months)

American ExpressChime
ProductHigh Yield Savings AccountvsChime Savings Account
Latest APY3.50 %3.75 %
TrendSidewaysRising
Slope (bps/mo)-4.229.4
Rate Changes / Mo0.420.14
Days Since Last Change39152
High (-7 m)3.80 %3.75 %
Low (-7 m)3.50 %2.00 %
Draw-down from High-7.9 %0.0 %
Volatility (CV)0.0250.241
APY Insights Glossary
Latest APY
Most recent advertised annual-percentage yield.
Trend
Direction over the last 7 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 (-7 m)
Highest APY in the last 213 days.
Low (-7 m)
Lowest APY in the last 213 days.
Draw-down from High
How far today sits below the 7-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.

Calculate Savings Growth for American Express vs Chime

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

Chime

APY: 3.75%

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $2,273.8 (11.22%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (64.12%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.66%)

Your total balance

$20,273.80

Effective APY: 3.75% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,273.8

Earnings: $2,273.8

Bank Overview

With a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, American Express's total earnings would be $159.7 lower than Chime's total earnings.

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

More Comparisons

Compare American Express' APY of 3.50% with other banks
Compare Chime's APY of 3.75% with other banks