High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

American Express vs. Santander Bank

Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated December 6, 2025
Advertising Disclosure: We may earn a commission from partner links.

American Express

High Yield Savings Account

3.40%
APY
Dec 6, 2025
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS App
Show Fine Print & Trends

Santander Bank

Santander Savings

0.01%
APY
Dec 6, 2025
FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person Access
Show Fine Print & Trends

Market Reality Check

Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.25% APY.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing American Express vs. Santander Bank

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Why American Express?

  • Higher potential APY (3.40% vs 0.01%) on all balances
  • No checking account or direct deposit required

Why Santander Bank?

  • Physical branch access (Primarily in the Northeast and Miami, Florida)
  • Higher rated Android app (4.0 vs 3.6)

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
American Express

American Express's High Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $340 vs $1/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
American Express

American Express's High Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $850 vs $3/yr).

Best for Simplicity
American Express

American Express's High Yield Savings Account offers 3.40% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Best Mobile App Experience
American Express

American Express offers an iOS app rated 4.9 (vs. 4.8) and Android app rated 3.6 (vs. 4.0)

Shared Benefits

Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line

Over a 1-year period, American Express's High Yield Savings Account pays $339 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Santander Bank's Santander Savings.

Santander BankAmerican Express
Automated Data Audit

Executive Summary

American Express offers a High Yield Savings Account with a competitive APY of 3.40%, making it a strong choice for savers, especially with no minimum deposit or maintenance fees. This account is online-only and does not require direct deposit, providing a straightforward savings solution. In contrast, Santander Bank's Savings account yields a significantly lower APY of 0.01%, which may not appeal to those seeking better returns. Overall, American Express stands out as the clear winner for those prioritizing higher interest rates.

Analysis generated based on current Banksparency database records

* AI-generated content provided for informational purposes only. Accuracy is not guaranteed; always verify details with the provider.

Stop Losing Interest

See who beats both American Express and Santander Bank.

Compare All High-Yield Savings Accounts
Pibank
Pibank Savings
FDIC InsuredNo Minimums
4.60% APY
+1.20% vs American Express
Better Rate
Neighbors Bank
Neighbors Savings Account
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat Android App
4.50% APY
+1.10% vs American Express
Better Rate
Axos Bank
Axos ONE
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
4.31% APY
+0.91% vs American Express
Better Rate
FeatureAmerican ExpressSantander Bank
APY
3.40%
Verified: 12/6/2025
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
0.01%
Verified: 12/6/2025
↘︎ 0.02%90d Change
Product NameHigh Yield Savings AccountSantander Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$25
Min. Balance for APY$0$0
Monthly Fee$0$1
Branch AccessNoneYes
Account Type
Online Only
Online & Branches
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android3.6
iOS4.8
Android4.0
BBB RatingFNot Rated
Next Steps

Savings Comparison

Calculations based on current APY.
$
$

American Express earns $2,044.8 more than Santander Bank.

American Express

High Yield Savings Account

3.40% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$2,050.50(10.2%)
  • Total Contributions
    $13,000
  • Initial Deposit
    $5,000

Projected Balance

$20,050.50

Effective APY
3.40%

Santander Bank

Santander Savings

0.01% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$5.70(0.0%)
  • Total Contributions
    $13,000
  • Initial Deposit
    $5,000

Projected Balance

$18,005.70

Effective APY
0.01%

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

📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 10 Months Analysis
MetricAmerican ExpressSantander Bank
High Yield Savings AccountSantander Savings
Current APY
3.40%0.01%
Trend
Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-3.2-0.2
Days Since Change
1078
10-Month High
3.80%0.03%
10-Month Low
3.40%0.01%
Adjustments / Mo
0.380.09
Volatility Score
0.0300.375
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 318-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 3.40% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
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 Bank3.90%$0
American Express vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
American Express vs BrioDirect4.00%$5,000
American Express vs Capital One3.40%$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™3.35%$0.01
American Express vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
American Express vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
American Express vs Elevault4.08%$0
American Express vs EverBank4.05%$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 Bank4.25%$2,500
American Express vs LendingClub4.20%$0
American Express vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
American Express vs Neighbors Bank4.50%$0
American Express vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
American Express vs Openbank4.20%$500
American Express vs Peak Bank4.20%$100
American Express vs Pibank4.60%$0
American Express vs PNC3.53%$0
American Express vs Presidential Bank4.00%$5,000
American Express vs Quontic Bank3.75%$100
American Express vs Salem Five Direct3.71%$10
American Express vs SoFi Bank4.30%$0
American Express vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
American Express vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
American Express vs UFB Direct3.71%$5000
American Express vs Valley Direct4.10%$1,000
American Express vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
American Express vs Vio Bank4.16%$100
American Express vs Wealthfront4.15%$0
American Express vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
American Express vs Zynlo Bank4.05%$10
Compare Santander Bank's APY of 0.01% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Santander Bank vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Santander Bank vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Santander Bank vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Santander Bank vs Barclays4.00%$0
Santander Bank vs Bask Bank3.90%$0
Santander Bank vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Santander Bank vs BrioDirect4.00%$5,000
Santander Bank vs Capital One3.40%$0
Santander Bank vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Santander Bank vs Chime3.50%$0
Santander Bank vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Santander Bank vs Citibank3.30%$0
Santander Bank vs Citizens Access™3.35%$0.01
Santander Bank vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Santander Bank vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
Santander Bank vs Elevault4.08%$0
Santander Bank vs EverBank4.05%$0
Santander Bank vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Santander Bank vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Santander Bank vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
Santander Bank vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Santander Bank vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Santander Bank vs Ivy Bank4.25%$2,500
Santander Bank vs LendingClub4.20%$0
Santander Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Santander Bank vs Neighbors Bank4.50%$0
Santander Bank vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Santander Bank vs Openbank4.20%$500
Santander Bank vs Peak Bank4.20%$100
Santander Bank vs Pibank4.60%$0
Santander Bank vs PNC3.53%$0
Santander Bank vs Presidential Bank4.00%$5,000
Santander Bank vs Quontic Bank3.75%$100
Santander Bank vs Salem Five Direct3.71%$10
Santander Bank vs SoFi Bank4.30%$0
Santander Bank vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
Santander Bank vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
Santander Bank vs UFB Direct3.71%$5000
Santander Bank vs Valley Direct4.10%$1,000
Santander Bank vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Santander Bank vs Vio Bank4.16%$100
Santander Bank vs Wealthfront4.15%$0
Santander Bank vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Santander Bank vs Zynlo Bank4.05%$10