High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

American Express vs. PNC

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 PNC savings accounts
Metric

American Express

High Yield Savings Account

Jan 7, 2026

PNC

PNC High Yield 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 AppIn-Person AccessZelle® 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. PNC

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

As of both American Express (High Yield Savings Account) and PNC (PNC High Yield 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, PNC also offers 0.03% APY for the Standard Savings account, with a minimum balance of $1.

Why American Express?

  • 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)
  • Higher rated Android app (4.6 vs 3.6)

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Both banks have options with $0 opening deposit Fast transfers via Zelle® Available to New & Existing Customers

Executive Summary as of

American Express offers a High Yield Savings Account with an attractive APY of 3.30%, compounded daily, and requires no minimum deposit or balance, making it a straightforward online-only option. In comparison, PNC's High Yield Savings account also offers a competitive APY of 3.30%, but eligibility is restricted to select states, and it compounds monthly. PNC also provides a Standard Savings account with a significantly lower APY of 0.03%. Both banks have no maintenance fees and do not require direct deposit, but American Express stands out for its simplicity and broader accessibility.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

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

Verify At
American Express

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
PNC

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

Synchrony Bank
3.65% APY
Capital One
3.40% APY
Discover Bank
3.40% APY

American Express vs. PNC Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for High Yield Savings Account and PNC High Yield 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%

PNC

PNC High Yield 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 ExpressPNC
APY
3.30%
Verified: 1/7/2026
↘︎ 0.20%90d Change
3.30%
Verified: 1/7/2026
↘︎ 0.55%90d Change
Product NameHigh Yield Savings AccountPNC High Yield Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$0
Monthly Fee$0$0
Branch AccessNoneYes
Account Type
Online Only
Online & Branches
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android3.6
iOS4.9
Android4.6
Zelle® Support
Available
Requires Amex Rewards Checking; not available for standalone HYSA.
Available
Limit: $2,000/dayCentral to Virtual Wallet suite.
BBB RatingFA+
Important Notes-Eligibility restricted to select states.
Next Steps
Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 10 Months Analysis
MetricAmerican ExpressPNC
High Yield Savings AccountPNC High Yield SavingsStandard Savings
Current APY
3.30%3.30%0.03%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-3.3-5.60.2
Days Since Change
821251
10-Month High
3.70%3.95%0.03%
10-Month Low
3.30%3.30%0.01%
Adjustments / Mo
0.390.390.10
Volatility Score
0.0300.0570.286
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 309-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 Citibank3.30%$0
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 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 PNC's APY of 3.30% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
PNC vs Affirm3.20%$0
PNC vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
PNC vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
PNC vs Bank of America0.01%$100
PNC vs Barclays4.00%$0
PNC vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
PNC vs Betterment3.25%$10
PNC vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
PNC vs Bread Savings4.05%$100
PNC vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
PNC vs Capital One3.40%$0
PNC vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
PNC vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
PNC vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
PNC vs Chime3.50%$0
PNC vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
PNC vs Citibank3.30%$0
PNC vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
PNC vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
PNC vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
PNC vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
PNC vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
PNC vs Elevault3.82%$0
PNC vs EverBank3.90%$0
PNC vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
PNC vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
PNC vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
PNC vs FVCbank3.85%$500
PNC vs GO2bank4.50%$0
PNC vs Ivy Bank4.10%$2,500
PNC vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
PNC vs LendingClub4.00%$0
PNC vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
PNC vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
PNC vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
PNC vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
PNC vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
PNC vs Openbank4.20%$500
PNC vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
PNC vs Pibank4.60%$0
PNC vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
PNC vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
PNC vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
PNC vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
PNC vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
PNC vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
PNC vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
PNC vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
PNC vs TD Bank2.60%$0
PNC vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
PNC vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
PNC vs Upgrade3.05%$0
PNC vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
PNC vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
PNC vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
PNC vs Wealthfront3.90%$0
PNC vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
PNC vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10