Betterment vs. CIT Bank
Comparing Betterment and CIT Bank for high-yield savings: Betterment's Cash Reserve pays 3.90% APY while CIT Bank's Platinum Savings pays 3.75% APY.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Betterment pays $15 more than CIT Bank annually ($390 vs $375).
Choose Betterment if getting the best rate matters most. Choose CIT Bank if you want Zelle for quick transfers.
| Metric | BettermentCash Reserve Mar 24, 2026 | CIT BankPlatinum Savings Mar 24, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.25% - 3.90% | 0.25% - 3.75% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 | $5,000+$188 $10,000+$375 $25,000+$938 |
Min Deposit | $10 | $100 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | Promo rate for new customers. 3.25% APY applies to existing customers. | This is a tiered savings account, where the 3.75% APY requires meeting the $5,000 balance requirement. Lower balances earn an APY of 0.25%. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredMod. MinimumGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often |
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 Betterment vs. CIT Bank
Executive Summary
Betterment offers a competitive 3.90% APY on its Cash Reserve account, which is available to new customers with a minimum deposit of $10 and no maintenance fees. Existing customers earn a lower rate of 3.25%. In comparison, CIT Bank's highest-yielding product, the Platinum Savings account, provides a 3.75% APY but requires a minimum balance of $5,000 to earn that rate, while its Savings Connect account offers a 3.65% APY with no such requirement. Both banks operate online only and do not require direct deposits.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Betterment?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.65%-3.75%) on all balances
Why CIT Bank?
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
- ✓Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle®
- ✓Available to New & Existing Customers
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
BettermentBetterment's Cash Reserve earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $390 vs $375/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
BettermentBetterment's Cash Reserve pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $938/yr).
Best for Simplicity
CIT BankCIT Bank's Savings Connect offers 3.65% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Betterment's Cash Reserve pays $15 more interest on a $10,000 balance than CIT Bank's Platinum Savings.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
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* Secure link to our partner
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Betterment vs. CIT Bank Savings Calculator
You earn $15 more with Betterment than CIT Bank 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.
Betterment
Cash Reserve
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$390.00(3.8%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,390.00
CIT Bank
Platinum Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$375.00(3.6%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,375.00
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 $374 per year in interest.
Both Betterment and CIT Bank dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Betterment | CIT Bank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.90% Range: 3.25% - 3.90% Verified: 3/24/2026 ↗︎ 0.65%90d Change | 3.75% Range: 0.25% - 3.75% Verified: 3/24/2026 Stable (90d) |
| Product Name | Cash Reserve | Platinum Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | $100 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $5,000 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | N/A | Daily |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | None | None. You cannot make use of First Citizens Bank's branches. |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | Yes | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Available Supported for eChecking users post-First Citizens merger. |
| BBB Rating | A- | A+ |
| Important Notes | Promo rate for new customers. 3.25% APY applies to existing customers. | This is a tiered savings account, where the 3.75% APY requires meeting the $5,000 balance requirement. Lower balances earn an APY of 0.25%. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Betterment Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteGo to CIT Bank * Secure link to our partner |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Betterment | CIT Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Reserve | Savings Connect | Platinum Savings | |
Current APY | 3.90% | 3.65% | 3.75% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -5.8 | -3.8 | -3.8 |
Days Since Change | 32 | 124 | 124 |
12-Month High | 4.00% | 4.00% | 4.10% |
12-Month Low | 3.25% | 3.65% | 3.75% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.33 | 0.25 | 0.25 |
Volatility Score | 0.083 | 0.037 | 0.036 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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More Comparisons
Compare Betterment's APY of 3.90% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Betterment vs Ally Bank | 3.20% | $0 |
| Betterment vs American Express | 3.20% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Barclays | 3.85% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Capital One | 3.20% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Betterment vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| Betterment vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| Betterment vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| Betterment vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| Betterment vs Wealthfront | 4.20% | $0 |