High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Axos Bank vs. PNC

Comparing Axos Bank and PNC for high-yield savings: Axos Bank's Axos ONE pays 4.21% APY while PNC's PNC High Yield Savings pays 3.25% 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 7, 2026

The Bottom Line

Who pays more interest on $10,000? Axos Bank pays $96 more than PNC annually ($421 vs $325).

Choose Axos Bank if getting the best rate matters most. Choose PNC if you want a no-strings-attached account, you value in-person banking, or you want Zelle for quick transfers.

Important Considerations

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

Comparison of Axos Bank vs PNC savings accounts
Metric

Axos Bank

Axos ONE

Apr 7, 2026

PNC

PNC High Yield Savings

Apr 7, 2026
APY4.21%3.25%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$211
$10,000+$421
$25,000+$1,053
$5,000+$163
$10,000+$325
$25,000+$813
Min Deposit
$0$0

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.Eligibility restricted to select states.
Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppChecking BundleDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® SupportedRate Changes Often

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Axos Bank vs. PNC

Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Executive Summary

Axos Bank offers a competitive savings option with its Axos ONE account, which provides a high APY of 4.21% when bundled with a checking account, making it ideal for customers who can meet the direct deposit requirements. In contrast, PNC's highest-yielding product, the High Yield Savings account, offers a significantly lower APY of 3.25%, with eligibility restricted to select states. For those seeking simplicity without the need for a checking account, Axos Bank's Summit Savings is available at a 3.75% APY, but the Axos ONE remains the standout choice for higher returns. Both banks maintain no maintenance fees and have no minimum deposit requirements.

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 3.25%) on all balances
  • Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
  • 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)
  • Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $2,000 a day)

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Axos ONE earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $421 vs $325/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Axos Bank

Axos Bank's Axos ONE pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $1053 vs $813/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.

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Both banks have options with $0 opening deposit Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line on APY (Interest Only)

Over a 1-year period, Axos Bank's Axos ONE pays $96 more interest on a $10,000 balance than PNC's PNC High Yield Savings.

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

PNCAxos Bank
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Axos Bank

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PNC

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Top Market Contenders

CIT Bank
3.75% APY
Barclays
3.85% APY
Synchrony Bank
3.50% APY

Axos Bank vs. PNC Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Axos ONE and PNC High Yield Savings
$
$

You earn $96 more with Axos Bank than PNC 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%

PNC

PNC High Yield Savings

3.25% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$325.00(3.1%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,325.00

Effective APY
3.25%

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 $324 per year in interest.

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

Big banks currently pay 0.01% APY on savings vs 3.25%+ here
FeatureAxos BankPNC
APY
4.21%
Verified: 4/7/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
3.25%
Verified: 4/7/2026
↘︎ 0.05%90d Change
Product NameAxos ONEPNC High Yield Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$0
Monthly Fee$0$0
Compound FrequencyDailyMonthly
Branch AccessNoneYes
Account Type
Online Only
Online & Branches
Physical BranchesNoneMultiple 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
Direct Deposit Req.Not required, but is the easiest way to earn the highest APY.None
Checking Bundle YesNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.7
Android4.6
iOS4.9
Android4.6
FDIC Insured
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Available
Limit: $2,000/dayCentral to Virtual Wallet suite.
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.Eligibility restricted to select states.
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📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 12 Months Analysis
MetricAxos BankPNC
Summit SavingsAxos ONEHigh Yield SavingsPNC High Yield SavingsStandard Savings
Current APY
3.75%4.21%0.61%3.25%0.03%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-4.0-4.50.0-7.80.1
Days Since Change
1176636532341
12-Month High
4.00%4.66%0.61%3.95%0.03%
12-Month Low
3.75%4.21%0.61%3.25%0.01%
Adjustments / Mo
0.080.330.000.410.08
Volatility Score
0.0320.0380.0000.0820.164
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 PNC's APY of 3.25% with other banks