High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Barclays vs. PNC

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

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated January 7, 2026
Comparison of Barclays vs PNC savings accounts
Metric

Barclays

Tiered Savings

Jan 7, 2026

PNC

PNC High Yield Savings

Jan 7, 2026
APY3.85% - 4.00%3.30%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$193
$10,000+$385
$25,000+$963
$5,000+$165
$10,000+$330
$25,000+$825
Min Deposit
$0$0

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Terms
The 4.00% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.85%.Eligibility restricted to select states.
Features
FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
FDIC InsuredNo 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 4.21% APY.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Barclays vs. PNC

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

As of Barclays offers an APY of 4.00% for its Tiered Savings account, with a minimum balance of $250,000, compared to PNC's 3.30% APY for its PNC High Yield Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.

Barclays pays $55 more than PNC on a $10,000 balance after one year. Barclays pays $385 (with an effective APY of 3.85%), while PNC pays $330 - an APY advantage for Barclays.

In addition, Barclays also offers 3.60% APY for the Online Savings account, with a minimum balance of Enough to earn $0.01 in interest, while PNC offers 0.03% APY for the Standard Savings account, with a minimum balance of $1.

Why Barclays?

  • Higher potential APY (3.60%-4.00% vs 3.30%) 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
Barclays

Barclays's Tiered Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $385 vs $330/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Barclays

Barclays's Tiered Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $963 vs $825/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 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, Barclays's Tiered Savings pays $55 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.

PNCBarclays

Executive Summary as of

Barclays offers a competitive Tiered Savings account with a 4.00% APY for balances over $250,000, while lower balances earn 3.85%. This account is online-only and has no maintenance fees or direct deposit requirements. Alternatively, their Online Savings account provides a simpler option with a 3.60% APY. In contrast, PNC's highest yielding product, the High Yield Savings account, offers a significantly lower APY of 3.30% and is available only in select states. PNC also has a Standard Savings account with an APY of 0.03%. Overall, Barclays's Tiered Savings account stands out as the superior option.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.

Verify At
Barclays

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
PNC

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Top Market Contenders

CIT Bank
3.75% APY
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
3.65% APY
EverBank
3.90% APY

Barclays vs. PNC Savings Calculator

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

You earn $55 more with Barclays 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.

Barclays

Tiered Savings

4.00% APY

Higher APY requires $250,000

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$385.00(3.7%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,385.00

Effective APY
3.85%

PNC

PNC High Yield Savings

3.30% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$330.00(3.2%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,330.00

Effective APY
3.30%

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

FeatureBarclaysPNC
APY
4.00%
Range: 3.85% - 4.00%
Verified: 1/7/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
3.30%
Verified: 1/7/2026
↘︎ 0.55%90d Change
Product NameTiered SavingsPNC High Yield Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$250,000$0
Monthly Fee$0$0
Branch AccessNoneYes
Account Type
Online Only
Online & Branches
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android4.7
iOS4.9
Android4.6
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Available
Limit: $2,000/dayCentral to Virtual Wallet suite.
BBB RatingA+A+
Important NotesThe 4.00% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.85%.Eligibility restricted to select states.
Next Steps
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📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 10 Months Analysis
MetricBarclaysPNC
Online SavingsTiered SavingsPNC High Yield SavingsStandard Savings
Current APY
3.60%4.00%3.30%0.03%
Trend
Stable Stable Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-2.6-3.7-5.60.2
Days Since Change
424921251
10-Month High
3.90%4.40%3.95%0.03%
10-Month Low
3.60%4.00%3.30%0.01%
Adjustments / Mo
0.490.580.390.10
Volatility Score
0.0240.0310.0570.286
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 309-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.

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More Comparisons

Compare Barclays' APY of 4.00% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Barclays vs Affirm3.20%$0
Barclays vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Barclays vs American Express3.30%$0
Barclays vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Barclays vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Barclays vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
Barclays vs Betterment3.25%$10
Barclays vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Barclays vs Bread Savings4.05%$100
Barclays vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
Barclays vs Capital One3.40%$0
Barclays vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
Barclays vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Barclays vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Barclays vs Chime3.50%$0
Barclays vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Barclays vs Citibank3.30%$0
Barclays vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
Barclays vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Barclays vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
Barclays vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
Barclays vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
Barclays vs Elevault3.82%$0
Barclays vs EverBank3.90%$0
Barclays vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Barclays vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Barclays vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
Barclays vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Barclays vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Barclays vs Ivy Bank4.10%$2,500
Barclays vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
Barclays vs LendingClub4.00%$0
Barclays vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Barclays vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
Barclays vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
Barclays vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
Barclays vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Barclays vs Openbank4.20%$500
Barclays vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
Barclays vs Pibank4.60%$0
Barclays vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
Barclays vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
Barclays vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
Barclays vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
Barclays vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
Barclays vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Barclays vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
Barclays vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
Barclays vs TD Bank2.60%$0
Barclays vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
Barclays vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
Barclays vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Barclays vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
Barclays vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Barclays vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
Barclays vs Wealthfront3.90%$0
Barclays vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Barclays vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10
Compare PNC's APY of 3.30% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
PNC vs Affirm3.20%$0
PNC vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
PNC vs American Express3.30%$0
PNC vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
PNC vs Bank of America0.01%$100
PNC vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
PNC vs Betterment3.25%$10
PNC vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
PNC vs Bread Savings4.05%$100
PNC vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
PNC vs Capital One3.40%$0
PNC vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
PNC vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
PNC vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
PNC vs Chime3.50%$0
PNC vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
PNC vs Citibank3.30%$0
PNC vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
PNC vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
PNC vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
PNC vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
PNC vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
PNC vs Elevault3.82%$0
PNC vs EverBank3.90%$0
PNC vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
PNC vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
PNC vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
PNC vs FVCbank3.85%$500
PNC vs GO2bank4.50%$0
PNC vs Ivy Bank4.10%$2,500
PNC vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
PNC vs LendingClub4.00%$0
PNC vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
PNC vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
PNC vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
PNC vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
PNC vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
PNC vs Openbank4.20%$500
PNC vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
PNC vs Pibank4.60%$0
PNC vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
PNC vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
PNC vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
PNC vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
PNC vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
PNC vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
PNC vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
PNC vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
PNC vs TD Bank2.60%$0
PNC vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
PNC vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
PNC vs Upgrade3.05%$0
PNC vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
PNC vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
PNC vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
PNC vs Wealthfront3.90%$0
PNC vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
PNC vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10