American Express vs. PNC
PNC edges out American Express slightly at 3.25% vs 3.20% APY. On a $10,000 balance, the difference is just $5 per year—so other factors may matter more.
The Bottom Line
The American Express and PNC savings accounts are very similar. Choose PNC if BBB rating matters to you, or you value in-person banking.
| Metric | American ExpressHigh Yield Savings Account Apr 7, 2026 | PNCPNC High Yield Savings Apr 7, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% | 3.25% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$160 $10,000+$320 $25,000+$800 | $5,000+$163 $10,000+$325 $25,000+$813 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | - | Eligibility restricted to select states. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® SupportedRate Changes Often |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.15% APY.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing American Express vs. PNC
Executive Summary
American Express offers a High Yield Savings Account with an APY of 3.20%, making it a strong choice for savers. This account is online-only, requires no minimum deposit or balance, and has no maintenance fees. In comparison, PNC's High Yield Savings account provides a slightly higher APY of 3.25%, but eligibility is restricted to select states. PNC also offers a Standard Savings account with a significantly lower APY of 0.03%. Both banks do not require direct deposit, and American Express has the advantage of being accessible to all customers without state restrictions.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why American Express?
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.9 vs 4.6)
- ✓Available Nationwide
Why PNC?
- ✓Physical branch access (Multiple branches in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, PNC's PNC High Yield Savings pays $5 more interest on a $10,000 balance than American Express's High Yield Savings Account.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
American Express vs. PNC Savings Calculator
You earn $5 more with PNC than American Express on a $10,000 initial deposit for 1 year*.
*This calculation assumes that APYs remain unchanged for 1 year, and takes into account known promo rate periods, but does not factor in bonuses. You can see how often these banks have changed their rates in the Compare Savings Rates Over Time section below.
American Express
High Yield Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$320.00(3.1%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,320.00
PNC
PNC High Yield Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$325.00(3.1%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,325.00
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Still banking with Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo?
On a $10,000 balance, you're missing out on at least $319 per year in interest.
Both American Express and PNC dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | American Express | PNC |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% Verified: 4/7/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 3.25% Verified: 4/7/2026 ↘︎ 0.05%90d Change |
| Product Name | High Yield Savings Account | PNC High Yield Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Monthly |
| Branch Access | None | Yes |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online & Branches |
| Physical Branches | None | Multiple branches in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Available Requires Amex Rewards Checking; not available for standalone HYSA. | Available Limit: $2,000/dayCentral to Virtual Wallet suite. |
| BBB Rating | F | A+ |
| Important Notes | - | Eligibility restricted to select states. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at American Express Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at PNC Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | American Express | PNC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Yield Savings Account | PNC High Yield Savings | Standard Savings | |
Current APY | 3.20% | 3.25% | 0.03% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -3.8 | -7.8 | 0.1 |
Days Since Change | 20 | 32 | 341 |
12-Month High | 3.70% | 3.95% | 0.03% |
12-Month Low | 3.20% | 3.25% | 0.01% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.41 | 0.41 | 0.08 |
Volatility Score | 0.041 | 0.082 | 0.164 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
Compare Similar High-Yield Accounts
Compare American Express vs...
Comparing against Standard Savings
Compare PNC vs...
Comparing against Standard Savings
High Rates (With Checking Bundle)
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More Comparisons
Compare American Express' APY of 3.20% with other banks
Compare PNC's APY of 3.25% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| PNC vs Ally Bank | 3.20% | $0 |
| PNC vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| PNC vs Barclays | 3.85% | $0 |
| PNC vs Capital One | 3.20% | $0 |
| PNC vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| PNC vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| PNC vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| PNC vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| PNC vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| PNC vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| PNC vs Openbank | 4.00% | $500 |
| PNC vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| PNC vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| PNC vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| PNC vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| PNC vs Wealthfront | 4.20% | $0 |