Barclays vs Synchrony Bank
High-Yield Savings Accounts Comparison

Last Updated: August 1, 2025

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Summary of Barclays vs. Synchrony Bank

As of August 1, 2025 Barclays offers an APY of 4.10% for its Tiered Savings account, compared to Synchrony Bank's 3.80% APY for its High Yield Savings account.

Barclays yields $10 more than Synchrony Bank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Barclays pays $390 (with an effective APY of 3.9%), while Synchrony Bank pays $380 - an APY advantage for Barclays.

In addition, Barclays also offers 3.70% APY for the Online Savings account.

Barclays

Strengths

  • Barclays offers a higher APY of 4.10% for balances over $250,000.
  • Barclays has a strong BBB rating of A+ and is BBB Accredited.
  • Barclays has a higher App Store rating of 4.8 compared to Synchrony Bank.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Barclays requires a minimum balance of $250,000 to earn the highest APY.
  • Barclays does not have any physical branches.

Synchrony Bank

Strengths

  • Synchrony Bank has no minimum balance requirement for its high-yield savings account.
  • Synchrony Bank has no maintenance fees associated with its accounts.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Synchrony Bank's highest APY is lower at 3.80% compared to Barclays.
  • Synchrony Bank is not rated by the BBB.
Summary: Barclays offers a higher APY of 4.10% for larger balances, compared to Synchrony's 3.80%. Barclays also boasts an A+ BBB rating, while Synchrony is not rated. Both banks have no maintenance fees, but Barclays requires a higher minimum balance to access its top APY. Additionally, Barclays has a better App Store rating, though both banks lack physical branches.

Compare Barclays' vs Synchrony Bank's Savings Accounts

BarclaysSynchrony Bank
ProductTiered SavingsOnline SavingsvsHigh Yield Savings
APY
3.90% - 4.10% (as of 8/1/2025)3.70% (as of 8/1/2025)3.80% (as of 8/1/2025)
Bundled Account
NoNoNo
FDIC-insured
YesYesYes
Online OnlyYesYesYes
Compound Frequency
DailyDailyDaily
Minimum Deposit$0$0$0
Minimum Balance for APY$250,000Enough to earn $0.01 in interest$0
Maintenance Fee$0$0$0
Direct Deposit Required
NoNoNo
NoteThe 4.10% APY is only available for balances over $250,000. For lower balances, the APY is 3.90%.
App Store Rating4.8/54.8/5
Google Play Rating4.7/54.6/5
BBB RatingA+Not Rated

Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 6 Months)

BarclaysSynchrony Bank
ProductOnline SavingsTiered SavingsvsHigh Yield Savings
Latest APY3.70 %4.10 %3.80 %
TrendSidewaysFallingSideways
Slope (bps/mo)-4.3-7.3-4.7
Rate Changes / Mo0.780.930.31
Days Since Last Change544661
High (-6 m)4.00 %4.50 %4.10 %
Low (-6 m)3.70 %4.10 %3.80 %
Draw-down from High-7.5 %-8.9 %-7.3 %
Volatility (CV)0.0230.0330.026
APY Insights Glossary
Latest APY
Most recent advertised annual-percentage yield.
Trend
Direction over the last 6 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 (-6 m)
Highest APY in the last 193 days.
Low (-6 m)
Lowest APY in the last 193 days.
Draw-down from High
How far today sits below the 6-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.

Calculate Savings Growth for Barclays vs Synchrony Bank

All calculations are based on APY.

Barclays

APY: 4.10%

⚠️The higher APY only applies once your balance reaches $250,000.

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $2,370.2 (11.64%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (63.82%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.55%)

Your total balance

$20,370.20

Effective APY: 3.90% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,370.2

Earnings: $2,370.2

Bank Overview

Synchrony Bank

APY: 3.80%

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $2,305.9 (11.36%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (64.02%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.62%)

Your total balance

$20,305.90

Effective APY: 3.80% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,305.9

Earnings: $2,305.9

Bank Overview

With a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, Barclays's total earnings would be $64.3 higher than Synchrony Bank's total earnings.

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

More Comparisons

Compare Barclays' APY of 4.10% with other banks
Compare Synchrony Bank's APY of 3.80% with other banks