Axos Bank 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 Axos Bank vs. Santander Bank

Key Metrics at a Glance

FeatureAxos BankSantander Bank
Top Savings APY

4.51%

Axos ONE

0.01%

Santander Savings

Minimum to Open$0$25
Minimum Balance for Top APY$0$0
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 high APY of 4.51%, up from 4.46% last month.
  • Axos Bank has an A+ BBB rating and is BBB Accredited.
  • Axos Bank has no maintenance fees for savings accounts.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Axos Bank has no physical branches.
  • To earn the highest APY, qualifying conditions must be met.

Santander Bank

Strengths

  • Santander Bank has physical branches primarily in the Northeast and Miami.
  • Santander Bank has a high App Store rating of 4.8.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Santander Bank offers a significantly lower APY of 0.01%.
  • Santander Bank is not BBB Accredited and has no rating.
Summary: Axos Bank provides a competitive high-yield savings account with a 4.51% APY and no maintenance fees, while Santander Bank offers a low 0.01% APY and charges a $1 maintenance fee. Axos Bank's A+ BBB rating contrasts with Santander's lack of accreditation. Additionally, Santander has physical branches, which may appeal to some customers.

→ As of October 21, 2025 Axos Bank offers an APY of 4.51% for its Axos ONE 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.

Axos Bank yields $450 more than Santander Bank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Axos Bank pays $451, while Santander Bank pays $1 - 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 Santander Bank

All calculations are based on APY.

Axos Bank - Axos ONE

Top 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

Santander Bank - Santander Savings

Top APY: 0.01%

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

Effective APY: 0.01% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $18,005.7

Earnings: $5.7

Bank Overview

With a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, Axos Bank's total earnings would be $2,761 higher than Santander Bank's total earnings.

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

Compare Axos Bank's vs Santander Bank's Savings Accounts

Axos BankSantander Bank
ProductAxos ONESummit SavingsHigh Yield SavingsvsSantander Savings
APY
4.51% (as of 10/21/2025)4.00% (as of 10/21/2025)0.61% (as of 10/21/2025)0.01% (as of 10/21/2025)
Bundled Account
YesNoNoNo
FDIC-insured
YesYesYesYes
Online OnlyYesYesYesNo
Compound Frequency
DailyDailyDailyDaily
Minimum Deposit$0$0$0$25
Minimum Balance for APY$0$0$0$0
Maintenance Fee$0$0$0$1
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 Rating4.5/54.1/5
BBB RatingA+Not Rated

Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 9 Months)

Axos BankSantander Bank
ProductHigh Yield SavingsSummit SavingsAxos ONEvsSantander Savings
Latest APY0.61 %4.00 %4.51 %0.01 %
TrendSidewaysSidewaysFallingSideways
Slope (bps/mo)0.00.0-5.0-0.1
Rate Changes / Mo0.000.000.330.11
Days Since Last Change2711131832
High (-9 m)0.61 %4.00 %4.86 %0.03 %
Low (-9 m)0.61 %4.00 %4.46 %0.01 %
Draw-down from High0.0 %0.0 %-7.2 %-66.7 %
Volatility (CV)0.0000.0000.0310.232
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.

More Comparisons

Compare Axos Bank's APY of 4.51% with other banks
Compare Santander Bank's APY of 0.01% with other banks