Barclays vs. Sallie Mae Bank
Barclays edges out Sallie Mae Bank slightly at 4.00% vs 3.90% APY. On a $10,000 balance, the difference is just $5 per year—so other factors may matter more.
The Bottom Line
The Barclays and Sallie Mae Bank savings accounts are very similar. Choose Barclays if mobile app quality matters.
| Metric | BarclaysTiered Savings Feb 6, 2026 | Sallie Mae BankHigh-Yield Savings Account Feb 6, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.85% - 4.00% | 3.90% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$193 $10,000+$385 $25,000+$963 | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 |
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%. | - |
| Features | FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsDaily CompoundingStable Rate |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.15% APY.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Barclays vs. Sallie Mae Bank
Executive Summary
Barclays offers a Tiered Savings account with a competitive 4.00% APY for balances over $250,000, while lower balances earn 3.85%. In contrast, Sallie Mae Bank provides a High-Yield Savings Account with a steady 3.90% APY, requiring no minimum balance or direct deposit. Both banks are online-only and have no maintenance fees. Although Barclays' top APY is slightly higher, the difference is minimal, making their rates nearly identical. Additionally, Barclays is noted for its superior mobile app experience.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Barclays?
- ✓Higher rated iOS app (4.9 vs 1.5)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.7 vs 1.6)
- ✓Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
Why Sallie Mae Bank?
No distinct advantages found vs Barclays.
— Key Feature Differences —
Best for Simplicity
Sallie Mae BankSallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account offers 3.90% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Best Mobile App Experience
BarclaysBarclays offers an iOS app rated 4.9 (vs. 1.5) and Android app rated 4.7 (vs. 1.6)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays $5 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Barclays's Tiered Savings.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Barclays vs. Sallie Mae Bank Savings Calculator
You earn $5 more with Sallie Mae Bank than Barclays 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
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
Sallie Mae Bank
High-Yield Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$390.00(3.8%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,390.00
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 $384 per year in interest.
Both Barclays and Sallie Mae Bank dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Barclays | Sallie Mae Bank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 4.00% Range: 3.85% - 4.00% Verified: 2/6/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 3.90% Verified: 2/6/2026 Stable (90d) |
| Product Name | Tiered Savings | High-Yield Savings Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $250,000 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | None | N/A |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Important Notes | The 4.00% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.85%. | - |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Barclays Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Sallie Mae Bank Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Barclays | Sallie Mae Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Savings | Tiered Savings | High-Yield Savings Account | |
Current APY | 3.60% | 4.00% | 3.90% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -2.6 | -3.8 | -0.0 |
Days Since Change | 72 | 79 | 365 |
12-Month High | 3.90% | 4.50% | 3.90% |
12-Month Low | 3.60% | 4.00% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.41 | 0.58 | 0.00 |
Volatility Score | 0.027 | 0.035 | 0.000 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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High Rates (With Checking Bundle)
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More Comparisons
Compare Barclays' APY of 4.00% with other banks
Compare Sallie Mae Bank's APY of 3.90% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Ally Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs American Express | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Bank of America | 0.01% | $100 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Capital One | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Chase Bank | 0.01% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Citibank | 3.20% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Wells Fargo | 0.05% | $25 |