American Express vs. Lending Club

High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: October 16, 2025

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Summary of American Express vs. LendingClub

Key Metrics at a Glance

FeatureAmerican ExpressLendingClub
Top Savings APY

3.50%

High Yield Savings Account

4.20%

LevelUp Savings

Minimum to Open$0$0
Minimum Balance for Top APY$0$0
NoteThe advertised "LevelUp Rate" APY of 4.20% is only available if you deposit $250+ into the account each month. Otherwise the "Standard Rate" of 3.20% applies.

American Express

Strengths

  • American Express offers a competitive APY of 3.50%.
  • No maintenance fees for the High Yield Savings Account.
  • High App Store rating of 4.9.

Potential Drawbacks

  • American Express has an F BBB rating and is not accredited.
  • Google Play rating is lower at 3.7.
  • No branches available for in-person banking.

LendingClub

Strengths

  • LendingClub provides a higher APY of 4.20% with monthly deposits.
  • Better BBB rating of A+, indicating higher trustworthiness.
  • Google Play rating is significantly higher at 4.5.

Potential Drawbacks

  • LendingClub's higher APY requires a $250 monthly deposit.
  • No branches available for in-person banking.
  • App Store rating is slightly lower at 4.8.
Summary: LendingClub offers a higher APY of 4.20% compared to American Express's 3.50%, but requires a monthly deposit to achieve it. American Express has a higher App Store rating, while LendingClub boasts a better BBB rating of A+. Both banks operate online-only without physical branches, but American Express has lower ratings on Google Play.

→ As of October 16, 2025 American Express offers an APY of 3.50% for its High Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to LendingClub's 4.20% APY for its LevelUp Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.

LendingClub yields $70 more than American Express on a $10,000 balance after one year. American Express pays $350, while LendingClub pays $420 - an APY advantage for LendingClub.

Calculate Savings Growth for American Express vs LendingClub

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

LendingClub

APY: 4.20%

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

Effective APY: 4.20% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,564.3

Earnings: $2,564.3

Bank Overview

With 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 LendingClub's total earnings.

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

Compare American Express' vs LendingClub's Savings Accounts

American ExpressLendingClub
ProductHigh Yield Savings AccountvsLevelUp Savings
APY
3.50% (as of 10/16/2025)3.20% - 4.20% (as of 10/16/2025)
Bundled Account
NoNo
FDIC-insured
YesYes
Online OnlyYesYes
Compound Frequency
DailyDaily
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Minimum Balance for APY$0$0
Maintenance Fee$0$0
Direct Deposit Required
NoNo
NoteThe advertised "LevelUp Rate" APY of 4.20% is only available if you deposit $250+ into the account each month. Otherwise the "Standard Rate" of 3.20% applies.
App Store Rating4.9/54.8/5
Google Play Rating3.7/54.5/5
BBB RatingFA+

Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 9 Months)

American ExpressLendingClub
ProductHigh Yield Savings AccountvsLevelUp Savings
Latest APY3.50 %4.20 %
TrendSidewaysSideways
Slope (bps/mo)-3.7-4.4
Rate Changes / Mo0.340.22
Days Since Last Change8597
High (-9 m)3.80 %4.50 %
Low (-9 m)3.50 %4.20 %
Draw-down from High-7.9 %-6.7 %
Volatility (CV)0.0280.028
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 268 days.
Low (-9 m)
Lowest APY in the last 268 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.

More Comparisons

Compare American Express' APY of 3.50% with other banks
Compare LendingClub's APY of 4.20% with other banks