Axos Bank vs. Citizens Access

High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: October 16, 2025

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Summary of Axos Bank vs. Citizens Access™

Key Metrics at a Glance

FeatureAxos BankCitizens Access™
Top Savings APY

4.51%

Axos ONE

3.50%

Citizens Access® Savings

Minimum to Open$0$0.01
Minimum Balance for Top APY$0$0.01
NoteThis APY is only available with the Axos ONE savings and checking bundle. 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.

Axos Bank

Strengths

  • Axos Bank offers a higher APY of 4.51% on the Axos ONE account.
  • Axos Bank has a strong BBB rating of A+ and is BBB Accredited.
  • Axos Bank has a solid App Store rating of 4.7.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Axos Bank requires direct deposit or qualifying deposits for the highest APY.
  • Axos Bank's High Yield Savings account offers a lower APY of 0.61%.
  • Axos Bank has no physical branches.

Citizens Access™

Strengths

  • Citizens Access™ offers a straightforward APY of 3.5% with no direct deposit requirement.
  • Citizens Access™ has an excellent App Store and Google Play rating of 4.8.
  • Citizens Access™ has no maintenance fees on its savings account.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Citizens Access™ has a lower APY compared to Axos Bank's offerings.
  • Citizens Access™ does not have a BBB Accreditation note.
  • Citizens Access™ has no physical branches.
Summary: Axos Bank provides a higher APY of 4.51% on its Axos ONE account, but requires direct deposits for this rate. In contrast, Citizens Access™ offers a simple 3.5% APY without such requirements. Both banks have strong BBB ratings of A+, but Axos is BBB Accredited. Citizens Access™ excels with a 4.8 rating on both app stores, while Axos has a slightly lower rating of 4.7.

→ As of October 16, 2025 Axos Bank offers an APY of 4.51% for its Axos ONE account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to Citizens Access™'s 3.50% APY for its Citizens Access® Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.

Axos Bank yields $101 more than Citizens Access™ on a $10,000 balance after one year. Axos Bank pays $451, while Citizens Access™ pays $350 - an APY advantage for Axos Bank.

→ In addition, Axos Bank also offers 4.00% APY for the Summit Savings account.

Calculate Savings Growth for Axos Bank vs Citizens Access™

All calculations are based on APY.

Axos Bank

APY: 4.51%

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $2,766.7 (13.32%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (62.60%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.08%)

Your total balance

$20,766.70

Effective APY: 4.51% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,766.7

Earnings: $2,766.7

Citizens Access™

APY: 3.50%

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

Effective APY: 3.50% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,114.1

Earnings: $2,114.1

Bank Overview

With a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, Axos Bank's total earnings would be $652.6 higher than Citizens Access™'s total earnings.

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

Compare Axos Bank's vs Citizens Access™'s Savings Accounts

Axos BankCitizens Access™
ProductAxos ONESummit SavingsHigh Yield SavingsvsCitizens Access® Savings
APY
4.51% (as of 10/16/2025)4.00% (as of 10/16/2025)0.61% (as of 10/16/2025)3.50% (as of 10/16/2025)
Bundled Account
YesNoNoNo
FDIC-insured
YesYesYesYes
Online OnlyYesYesYesYes
Compound Frequency
DailyDailyDailyDaily
Minimum Deposit$0$0$0$0.01
Minimum Balance for APY$0$0$0$0.01
Maintenance Fee$0$0$0$0
Direct Deposit Required
No. Not required, but is the easiest way to earn the highest APY.NoNoNo
NoteThis APY is only available with the Axos ONE savings and checking bundle. 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.
Sponsored Link
App Store Rating4.7/54.8/5
Google Play Rating4.6/54.8/5
BBB RatingA+A+

Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 9 Months)

Axos BankCitizens Access™
ProductHigh Yield SavingsSummit SavingsAxos ONEvsCitizens Access® Savings
Latest APY0.61 %4.00 %4.51 %3.50 %
TrendSidewaysSidewaysFallingSideways
Slope (bps/mo)0.00.0-5.1-2.9
Rate Changes / Mo0.000.000.340.11
Days Since Last Change2611081378
High (-9 m)0.61 %4.00 %4.86 %3.70 %
Low (-9 m)0.61 %4.00 %4.46 %3.50 %
Draw-down from High0.0 %0.0 %-7.2 %-5.4 %
Volatility (CV)0.0000.0000.0310.025
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 262 days.
Low (-9 m)
Lowest APY in the last 262 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.

More Comparisons

Compare Axos Bank's APY of 4.51% with other banks
Compare Citizens Access™'s APY of 3.50% with other banks