High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Barclays vs. Citizens Access™

Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated December 6, 2025
Advertising Disclosure: We may earn a commission from partner links.

Barclays

Tiered Savings

Up to
4.00%
APY
Dec 6, 2025
FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
Range: 3.85% 4.00%
Show Fine Print & Trends

Citizens Access™

Citizens Access® Savings

3.35%
APY
Dec 5, 2025
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
Show Fine Print & Trends

Market Reality Check

Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.25% APY.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Barclays vs. Citizens Access™

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Why Barclays?

  • Higher potential APY (3.60%-4.00% vs 3.35%) on all balances
  • Offers 2 different high-yield savings options

Why Citizens Access™?

No distinct advantages found vs Barclays.

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Barclays

Barclays's Tiered Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $385 vs $335/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Barclays

Barclays's Tiered Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $963 vs $838/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Barclays

Barclays's Online Savings offers 3.60% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line

Over a 1-year period, Barclays's Tiered Savings pays $50 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Citizens Access™'s Citizens Access® Savings.

Citizens Access™Barclays
Automated Data Audit

Executive Summary

Barclays offers a competitive savings option with its Tiered Savings account, providing a top APY of 4.00% for balances over $250,000, while lower balances earn 3.85%. For those seeking simplicity, the Online Savings account yields a steady 3.60% APY with no minimum balance or direct deposit requirements. In comparison, Citizens Access™ features a Citizens Access® Savings account with a lower APY of 3.35%, also requiring no minimum balance or direct deposit. Overall, Barclays stands out with its higher APY offerings.

Analysis generated based on current Banksparency database records

* AI-generated content provided for informational purposes only. Accuracy is not guaranteed; always verify details with the provider.

Top Market Contenders

See who beats both Barclays and Citizens Access™.

Compare All High-Yield Savings Accounts
Pibank
Pibank Savings
FDIC InsuredNo Minimums
4.60% APY
+0.60% vs Barclays
Better Rate
Neighbors Bank
Neighbors Savings Account
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat Android App
4.50% APY
+0.50% vs Barclays
Better Rate
Axos Bank
Axos ONE
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
4.31% APY
+0.31% vs Barclays
Better Rate
FeatureBarclaysCitizens Access™
APY
4.00%
Range: 3.85% - 4.00%
Verified: 12/6/2025
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
3.35%
Verified: 12/5/2025
↘︎ 0.15%90d Change
Product NameTiered SavingsCitizens Access® Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$0.01
Min. Balance for APY$250,000$0.01
Monthly Fee$0$0
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android4.7
iOS4.8
Android4.8
BBB RatingA+A+
Important NotesThe 4.00% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.85%.-
Next Steps

Savings Comparison

Calculations based on current APY.
$
$

Barclays earns $319.2 more than Citizens Access™.

Barclays

Tiered Savings

4.00% APY
Higher APY requires $250,000

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$2,338.00(11.5%)
  • Total Contributions
    $13,000
  • Initial Deposit
    $5,000

Projected Balance

$20,338.00

Effective APY
3.85%

Citizens Access™

Citizens Access® Savings

3.35% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$2,018.80(10.1%)
  • Total Contributions
    $13,000
  • Initial Deposit
    $5,000

Projected Balance

$20,018.80

Effective APY
3.35%

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

📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 10 Months Analysis
MetricBarclaysCitizens Access™
Online SavingsTiered SavingsCitizens Access® Savings
Current APY
3.60%4.00%3.35%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-2.6-4.3-3.8
Days Since Change
101737
10-Month High
3.90%4.50%3.70%
10-Month Low
3.60%4.00%3.35%
Adjustments / Mo
0.480.670.19
Volatility Score
0.0240.0350.037
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 312-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 Barclays' APY of 4.00% with other banks
Compare Citizens Access™'s APY of 3.35% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Citizens Access™ vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Citizens Access™ vs American Express3.40%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Citizens Access™ vs Bask Bank3.90%$0
Citizens Access™ vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Citizens Access™ vs BrioDirect4.00%$5,000
Citizens Access™ vs Capital One3.40%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Chime3.50%$0
Citizens Access™ vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Citizens Access™ vs Citibank3.30%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Citizens Access™ vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Elevault4.08%$0
Citizens Access™ vs EverBank4.05%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Citizens Access™ vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Citizens Access™ vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
Citizens Access™ vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Citizens Access™ vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Ivy Bank4.25%$2,500
Citizens Access™ vs LendingClub4.20%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Neighbors Bank4.50%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Citizens Access™ vs Openbank4.20%$500
Citizens Access™ vs Peak Bank4.20%$100
Citizens Access™ vs Pibank4.60%$0
Citizens Access™ vs PNC3.53%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Presidential Bank4.00%$5,000
Citizens Access™ vs Quontic Bank3.75%$100
Citizens Access™ vs Salem Five Direct3.71%$10
Citizens Access™ vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Citizens Access™ vs SoFi Bank4.30%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
Citizens Access™ vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
Citizens Access™ vs UFB Direct3.71%$5000
Citizens Access™ vs Valley Direct4.10%$1,000
Citizens Access™ vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Vio Bank4.16%$100
Citizens Access™ vs Wealthfront4.15%$0
Citizens Access™ vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Citizens Access™ vs Zynlo Bank4.05%$10