Bank of America vs. Valley Direct
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
| Metric | Bank of AmericaAdvantage Savings Jan 21, 2026 | Valley DirectHigh-Yield Savings Account Jan 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 0.01% | 3.40% - 4.00% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$1 $10,000+$1 $25,000+$3 | $5,000+$200 $10,000+$400 $25,000+$1,000 |
Min Deposit | $100 | $1,000 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | APY may vary by market. The monthly fee may be waived under some circumstances, such as if you maintain a minimum balance of $500, or are below the age of 25, etc. | Promo rate for new customers. 3.40% APY applies to existing customers. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® Supported | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® Supported |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.20% APY.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Bank of America vs. Valley Direct
As of Bank of America offers an APY of 0.01% for its Advantage Savings account, with a minimum balance of , compared to Valley Direct's 4.00% APY for its High-Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.
Valley Direct pays $399 more than Bank of America on a $10,000 balance after one year. Bank of America pays $1, while Valley Direct pays $400 - an APY advantage for Valley Direct.
Why Bank of America?
- ✓Available to New & Existing Customers
Why Valley Direct?
- ✓Higher potential APY (4.00% vs 0.01%) on all balances
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Valley DirectValley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $400 vs $1/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Valley DirectValley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $1000 vs $3/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Valley DirectValley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account offers 4.00% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period (factoring in a 12-month promo), Valley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account pays $399 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Bank of America's Advantage Savings.
*Valley Direct's calculation includes their 12-month introductory promotional rate and subsequent standard rate.
Executive Summary as of
Valley Direct offers a High-Yield Savings Account with a competitive APY of 4.00%, significantly surpassing Bank of America's Advantage Savings, which yields only 0.01%. Valley Direct's account has no maintenance fees and requires a minimum deposit of $1,000, while Bank of America charges an $8 monthly fee unless certain conditions are met. Additionally, the Valley Direct account is available to new customers at the advertised rate, while existing customers receive a lower APY of 3.40%. Overall, Valley Direct stands out for its higher returns and simplicity.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Bank of America vs. Valley Direct Savings Calculator
You earn $399 more with Valley Direct than Bank of America 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.
Bank of America
Advantage Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$1.00(0.0%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,001.00
Valley Direct
High-Yield Savings Account
Promo Rate: 4.00% for 12 months, then 3.40%.
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$400.00(3.8%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,400.00
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
| Feature | Bank of America | Valley Direct |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 0.01% Verified: 1/21/2026 Stable (90d) | 4.00% Range: 3.40% - 4.00% Verified: 1/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change |
| Product Name | Advantage Savings | High-Yield Savings Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1,000 |
| Min. Balance for APY | N/A | $0.01 |
| Monthly Fee | $8 | $0 |
| Branch Access | Yes | Yes |
| Account Type | Online & Branches | Online & Branches |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | iOS4.8 Android4.6 | iOS4.8 Android4.6 |
| Zelle® Support | Available Limit: $3,500/dayFounding member; highest limits for established users. | Available Allows Zelle directly on HYSA. |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Important Notes | APY may vary by market. The monthly fee may be waived under some circumstances, such as if you maintain a minimum balance of $500, or are below the age of 25, etc. | Promo rate for new customers. 3.40% APY applies to existing customers. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Bank of America Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Valley Direct Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Bank of America | Valley Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Advantage Savings | High-Yield Savings Account | |
Current APY | 0.01% | 4.00% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | 0.0 | -0.6 |
Days Since Change | 36 | 40 |
12-Month High | 0.03% | 4.40% |
12-Month Low | 0.01% | 3.75% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.17 | 0.67 |
Volatility Score | 0.120 | 0.042 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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High Rates (With Checking Bundle)
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