High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

American Express vs. Citibank

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 Citibank savings accounts
Metric

American Express

High Yield Savings Account

Jan 7, 2026

Citibank

Citi Accelerate Savings

Jan 7, 2026
APY3.30%3.30%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$165
$10,000+$330
$25,000+$825
$5,000+$165
$10,000+$330
$25,000+$825
Min Deposit
$0$0

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Terms
-Eligibility restricted to select states.
Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppZelle® Supported
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® Supported

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. Citibank

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

As of both American Express (High Yield Savings Account) and Citibank (Citi Accelerate Savings) offer an APY of 3.30% .

Both banks yield $330 in interest on a $10,000 balance after one year. Neither has an APY advantage, so consider other features (fees, access, app ratings, etc.) when choosing.

In addition, Citibank also offers 0.03% APY for the Citi® Savings Account account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.

Why American Express?

  • Available Nationwide

Why Citibank?

  • Physical branch access (U.S. branches are concentrated in six metropolitan areas, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Miami.)
  • Higher rated Android app (4.8 vs 3.6)

Shared Benefits

Both banks have options with $0 opening deposit Fast transfers via Zelle® Available to New & Existing Customers

Executive Summary as of

Both American Express and Citibank offer competitive high-yield savings accounts with an APY of 3.30%. American Express's High Yield Savings Account requires no minimum deposit or balance and has no maintenance fees, making it a straightforward choice for savers. In contrast, Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings also has no minimum deposit but requires a minimum balance of $0.01 to avoid a $4.50 monthly maintenance fee. Additionally, Citibank's account is available only to residents in select states, while American Express does not have such restrictions. Both accounts are online-only, providing easy access to funds.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

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

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American Express

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Citibank

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Top Market Contenders

American Express vs. Citibank Savings Calculator

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

Both accounts earn exactly the same amount.

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%

Citibank

Citi Accelerate Savings

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%

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

FeatureAmerican ExpressCitibank
APY
3.30%
Verified: 1/7/2026
↘︎ 0.20%90d Change
3.30%
Verified: 1/7/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
Product NameHigh Yield Savings AccountCiti Accelerate Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$0.01
Monthly Fee$0$4.50. Waived for average monthly balances > $500
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android3.6
iOS4.9
Android4.8
Zelle® Support
Available
Requires Amex Rewards Checking; not available for standalone HYSA.
Available
Limit: $2,500/dayTiered limits based on account status (Citigold higher).
BBB RatingFD-
Important Notes-Eligibility restricted to select states.
Next Steps
Visit Site

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📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 11 Months Analysis
MetricAmerican ExpressCitibank
High Yield Savings AccountCiti® Savings AccountCiti Accelerate Savings
Current APY
3.30%0.03%3.30%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-3.40.0-4.8
Days Since Change
834450
11-Month High
3.80%0.03%3.80%
11-Month Low
3.30%0.03%3.30%
Adjustments / Mo
0.440.000.52
Volatility Score
0.0340.0000.047
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 344-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 BMO Alto3.25%$0
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 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 Citibank's APY of 3.30% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Citibank vs Affirm3.20%$0
Citibank vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Citibank vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Citibank vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Citibank vs Barclays4.00%$0
Citibank vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
Citibank vs Betterment3.25%$10
Citibank vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Citibank vs Bread Savings4.05%$100
Citibank vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
Citibank vs Capital One3.40%$0
Citibank vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
Citibank vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Citibank vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Citibank vs Chime3.50%$0
Citibank vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Citibank vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
Citibank vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Citibank vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
Citibank vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
Citibank vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
Citibank vs Elevault3.82%$0
Citibank vs EverBank3.90%$0
Citibank vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Citibank vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Citibank vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
Citibank vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Citibank vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Citibank vs Ivy Bank4.10%$2,500
Citibank vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
Citibank vs LendingClub4.00%$0
Citibank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Citibank vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
Citibank vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
Citibank vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
Citibank vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Citibank vs Openbank4.20%$500
Citibank vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
Citibank vs Pibank4.60%$0
Citibank vs PNC3.30%$0
Citibank vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
Citibank vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
Citibank vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
Citibank vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
Citibank vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
Citibank vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Citibank vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
Citibank vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
Citibank vs TD Bank2.60%$0
Citibank vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
Citibank vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
Citibank vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Citibank vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
Citibank vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Citibank vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
Citibank vs Wealthfront3.90%$0
Citibank vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Citibank vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10