American Express vs. Citibank
High-Yield Savings Account Comparison
By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: November 12, 2025
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Summary of American Express vs. Citibank
Key Metrics at a Glance
| Feature | American Express | Citibank |
|---|---|---|
| Top Savings APY | 3.50% High Yield Savings Account | 3.35% Citi Accelerate Savings |
| Minimum to Open | $0 | $0 |
| Minimum Balance for Top APY | $0 | $0.01 |
American Express
Strengths
- American Express offers a higher APY of 3.50% compared to Citibank's 3.35%.
- No maintenance fees for American Express's High Yield Savings Account.
- American Express has an App Store rating of 4.9.
Potential Drawbacks
- American Express has a BBB rating of F and is not BBB accredited.
- No branches available for American Express customers.
- American Express has a Google Play rating of 3.6.
Citibank
Strengths
- Citibank has a higher Google Play rating of 4.8.
- Citibank offers U.S. branches in major metropolitan areas for in-person service.
- Citibank's APY increased from 3.40% to 3.35% in the last 30 days.
Potential Drawbacks
- Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings has a lower APY of 3.35% than American Express.
- Citibank charges a maintenance fee of $4.50 unless balance requirements are met.
- Citibank has a BBB rating of D- and is not BBB accredited.
→ 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 Citibank's 3.35% APY for its Citi Accelerate Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.
→ American Express yields $15 more than Citibank on a $10,000 balance after one year. American Express pays $350, while Citibank pays $335 - an APY advantage for American Express.
→ In addition, Citibank also offers 0.03% APY for the Citi® Savings Account account.
Calculate Savings Growth for American Express vs Citibank
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 OverviewCitibank - Citi Accelerate Savings
Total savings breakdown:
- Interest earned: $2,018.8 (10.08%)
- Total contributions: $13,000 (64.94%)
- Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.98%)
Your total balance
$20,018.80
Total balance: $20,018.8
Earnings: $2,018.8
Bank OverviewWith a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, American Express's total earnings would be $95.3 higher than Citibank's total earnings.
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Compare American Express' vs Citibank's Savings Accounts
| American Express | Citibank | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | High Yield Savings Account | vs | Citi Accelerate Savings | Citi® Savings Account |
| APY | 3.50% (as of 11/12/2025) | 3.35% (as of 11/12/2025) | 0.03% (as of 11/12/2025) | |
| Bundled Account | No | No | No | |
| FDIC-insured | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Online Only | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily | Daily | |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Minimum Balance for APY | $0 | $0.01 | $0.01 | |
| Maintenance Fee | $0 | $4.50. Waived for average monthly balances > $500 | $4.50. Waived for average monthly balances > $500 | |
| Direct Deposit Required | No | No | No | |
| Eligibility | United States | Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida (select parts), Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois (select parts), Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia (partial), Washington (partial), Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming. | California, Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Virginia (partial), Washington D.C., and select parts of Florida and Illinois. In addition, promotional rates may be available if requirements are met. | |
| App Store Rating | 4.9/5 | 4.9/5 | ||
| Google Play Rating | 3.6/5 | 4.8/5 | ||
| BBB Rating | F | D- | ||
Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 9 Months)
| American Express | Citibank | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | High Yield Savings Account | vs | Citi® Savings Account | Citi Accelerate Savings |
| Latest APY | 3.50 % | 0.03 % | 3.35 % | |
| Trend | Sideways | Sideways | Sideways | |
| Slope (bps/mo) | -3.3 | 0.0 | -4.8 | |
| Rate Changes / Mo | 0.31 | 0.00 | 0.52 | |
| Days Since Last Change | 113 | 289 | 9 | |
| High (-9 m) | 3.80 % | 0.03 % | 3.80 % | |
| Low (-9 m) | 3.50 % | 0.03 % | 3.35 % | |
| Draw-down from High | -7.9 % | 0.0 % | -11.8 % | |
| Volatility (CV) | 0.028 | 0.000 | 0.039 | |
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 289 days.
- Low (-9 m)
- Lowest APY in the last 289 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.