High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Axos Bank vs. Citizens Access™

Comparing Axos Bank and Citizens Access™ for high-yield savings: Axos Bank's Axos ONE pays 4.21% APY while Citizens Access™'s Citizens Access® Savings pays 3.15% APY.

Note: Axos Bank requires a checking account.

See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated April 21, 2026

The Bottom Line

Who pays more interest on $10,000? Axos Bank pays $106 more than Citizens Access™ annually ($421 vs $315).

Choose Axos Bank if getting the best rate matters most. Choose Citizens Access™ if you want a no-strings-attached account.

Important Considerations

Axos Bank requires a checking account to unlock its top savings rate, while Citizens Access™ offers its savings account standalone.

Comparison of Axos Bank vs Citizens Access™ savings accounts
Metric

Axos Bank

Axos ONE

Apr 21, 2026

Citizens Access™

Citizens Access® Savings

Apr 6, 2026
APY4.21%3.15%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$211
$10,000+$421
$25,000+$1,053
$5,000+$158
$10,000+$315
$25,000+$788
Min Deposit
$0$0.01

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Terms
The 4.21% APY is available with the Axos ONE savings and checking bundle. The checking account earns 0.51% APY. To qualify, you must either set up a direct deposit of $1,500 and maintain an average daily balance of more than $1,500 in your ONE Checking account, or receive at least $5,000 in total monthly qualifying deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $5,000.-
Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppChecking BundleDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often

Prefer In-Person Banking?

Both of these banks are online-only. If you need physical branch access, check out our list of high-yield accounts with brick-and-mortar locations.

Find Branch Access

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Axos Bank vs. Citizens Access™

Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Executive Summary

Axos Bank offers a competitive savings option with its Axos ONE product, which provides a high APY of 4.21% when bundled with a checking account, making it the winner in this comparison. This account requires either a direct deposit of $1,500 or $5,000 in total monthly qualifying deposits to earn the highest rate. Alternatively, the Summit Savings account offers a straightforward 3.75% APY with no direct deposit requirement, ideal for those seeking simplicity. In contrast, Citizens Access™ provides a lower APY of 3.15% on its savings account, which is available with a minimal deposit and no maintenance fees. Both banks operate online only.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

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

Why Axos Bank?

  • Earn 0.51% APY on checking account
  • Access to 95,000 fee-free ATMs
  • Higher potential APY (3.75%-4.21% vs 3.15%) on all balances
  • Offers 2 different high-yield savings options

Why Citizens Access™?

No distinct advantages found vs Axos Bank.

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Axos ONE earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $421 vs $315/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Axos ONE pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $1053 vs $788/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Summit Savings offers 3.75% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Best for All-in-One Banking
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Axos ONE pays a superior APY for customers who also open a checking account.

Best Mobile App Experience
Citizens Access™

Citizens Access™ offers an iOS app rated 4.8 (vs. 4.7) and Android app rated 4.8 (vs. 4.7)

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line on APY (Interest Only)

Over a 1-year period, Axos Bank's Axos ONE pays $106 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Citizens Access™'s Citizens Access® Savings.

*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.

Citizens Access™Axos Bank
Go to Site
Axos Bank

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Citizens Access™

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Axos Bank vs. Citizens Access™ Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Axos ONE and Citizens Access® Savings
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$

You earn $106 more with Axos Bank than Citizens Access™ 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.

Axos Bank

Axos ONE

4.21% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$421.00(4.0%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,421.00

Effective APY
4.21%

Citizens Access™

Citizens Access® Savings

3.15% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$315.00(3.1%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,315.00

Effective APY
3.15%

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 $314 per year in interest.

Both Axos Bank and Citizens Access™ dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.

Big banks currently pay 0.01% APY on savings vs 3.15%+ here
FeatureAxos BankCitizens Access™
APY
4.21%
Verified: 4/21/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
3.15%
Verified: 4/6/2026
Stable (90d)
Product NameAxos ONECitizens Access® Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$0.01
Min. Balance for APY$0$0.01
Monthly Fee$0$0
Compound FrequencyDailyDaily
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Physical BranchesNoneN/A
Direct Deposit Req.Not required, but is the easiest way to earn the highest APY.None
Checking Bundle YesNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.7
Android4.7
iOS4.8
Android4.8
FDIC Insured
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Not Supported
BBB RatingA+A+
Important NotesThe 4.21% APY is available with the Axos ONE savings and checking bundle. The checking account earns 0.51% APY. To qualify, you must either set up a direct deposit of $1,500 and maintain an average daily balance of more than $1,500 in your ONE Checking account, or receive at least $5,000 in total monthly qualifying deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $5,000.-
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📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 12 Months Analysis
MetricAxos BankCitizens Access™
Summit SavingsAxos ONEHigh Yield SavingsCitizens Access® Savings
Current APY
3.75%4.21%0.61%3.15%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-3.8-4.50.0-6.4
Days Since Change
11665364117
12-Month High
4.00%4.66%0.61%3.70%
12-Month Low
3.75%4.21%0.61%3.15%
Adjustments / Mo
0.080.330.000.25
Volatility Score
0.0320.0390.0000.062
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 365-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 Axos Bank's APY of 4.21% with other banks
Compare Citizens Access™'s APY of 3.15% with other banks