American Express vs. Santander Bank
High-Yield Savings Account Comparison
By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: October 21, 2025
We earn a commission if you open an account through some links on this page.
Summary of American Express vs. Santander Bank
Key Metrics at a Glance
| Feature | American Express | Santander Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Top Savings APY | 3.50% High Yield Savings Account | 0.01% Santander Savings |
| Minimum to Open | $0 | $25 |
| Minimum Balance for Top APY | $0 | $0 |
American Express
Strengths
- American Express offers a competitive APY of 3.50%.
- No maintenance fees for the High Yield Savings Account.
- American Express has a high App Store rating of 4.9.
Potential Drawbacks
- American Express has an F rating from the BBB.
- No physical branches available for customer service.
- Google Play rating is lower at 3.7.
Santander Bank
Strengths
- Santander Bank has physical branches primarily in the Northeast and Miami.
- Google Play rating is higher at 4.1.
- Santander Savings account requires only a $25 minimum deposit.
Potential Drawbacks
- Santander Bank offers a very low APY of 0.01%.
- There is a $1 monthly maintenance fee for the Santander Savings.
- Santander Bank is not rated by the BBB.
→ As of October 21, 2025 American Express offers an APY of 3.50% for its High Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to Santander Bank's 0.01% APY for its Santander Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.
→ American Express yields $349 more than Santander Bank on a $10,000 balance after one year. American Express pays $350, while Santander Bank pays $1 - an APY advantage for American Express.
Calculate Savings Growth for American Express vs Santander Bank
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 OverviewSantander Bank - Santander Savings
Total savings breakdown:
- Interest earned: $5.7 (0.03%)
- Total contributions: $13,000 (72.20%)
- Initial deposit: $5,000 (27.77%)
Your total balance
$18,005.70
Total balance: $18,005.7
Earnings: $5.7
Bank OverviewWith a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, American Express's total earnings would be $2,108.4 higher than Santander Bank's total earnings.
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Compare American Express' vs Santander Bank's Savings Accounts
| American Express | Santander Bank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | High Yield Savings Account | vs | Santander Savings |
| APY | 3.50% (as of 10/21/2025) | 0.01% (as of 10/21/2025) | |
| Bundled Account | No | No | |
| FDIC-insured | Yes | Yes | |
| Online Only | Yes | No | |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily | |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $25 | |
| Minimum Balance for APY | $0 | $0 | |
| Maintenance Fee | $0 | $1 | |
| Direct Deposit Required | No | No | |
| App Store Rating | 4.9/5 | 4.8/5 | |
| Google Play Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.1/5 | |
| BBB Rating | F | Not Rated |
Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 9 Months)
| American Express | Santander Bank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | High Yield Savings Account | vs | Santander Savings |
| Latest APY | 3.50 % | 0.01 % | |
| Trend | Sideways | Sideways | |
| Slope (bps/mo) | -3.7 | -0.1 | |
| Rate Changes / Mo | 0.33 | 0.11 | |
| Days Since Last Change | 90 | 32 | |
| High (-9 m) | 3.80 % | 0.03 % | |
| Low (-9 m) | 3.50 % | 0.01 % | |
| Draw-down from High | -7.9 % | -66.7 % | |
| Volatility (CV) | 0.028 | 0.232 |
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 272 days.
- Low (-9 m)
- Lowest APY in the last 272 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.