High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

BMO Alto vs. Chime

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 BMO Alto vs Chime savings accounts
Metric

BMO Alto

Savings Account

Jan 7, 2026

Chime

Chime High-Yield Savings Account

Jan 7, 2026
APY3.25%1.00% - 3.50%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$163
$10,000+$325
$25,000+$813
$5,000+$175
$10,000+$350
$25,000+$875
Min Deposit
$0$0

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Features
FDIC InsuredNo Minimums
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDirect Deposit ReqChecking Bundle

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 BMO Alto vs. Chime

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

As of BMO Alto offers an APY of 3.25% for its Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to Chime's 3.50% APY for its Chime High-Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.

Chime pays $25 more than BMO Alto on a $10,000 balance after one year. BMO Alto pays $325, while Chime pays $350 - an APY advantage for Chime.

Why BMO Alto?

  • No checking account or direct deposit required

Why Chime?

  • Higher potential APY (3.50% vs 3.25%) on all balances
  • Higher rated iOS app (4.8 vs 0.0)
  • Higher rated Android app (4.8 vs 0.0)

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Chime

Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $350 vs $325/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Chime

Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $875 vs $813/yr).

Best for Simplicity
BMO Alto

BMO Alto's Savings Account offers 3.25% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Best for All-in-One Banking
Chime

Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pays a superior APY for customers who also open a checking account.

Best Mobile App Experience
Chime

Chime offers an iOS app rated 4.8 (vs. 0.0) and Android app rated 4.8 (vs. 0.0)

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Both banks have options with $0 opening deposit Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line on APY (Interest Only)

Over a 1-year period, Chime's Chime High-Yield Savings Account pays $25 more interest on a $10,000 balance than BMO Alto's Savings Account.

*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.

BMO AltoChime

Executive Summary as of

Chime's High-Yield Savings Account offers a competitive APY of 3.50%, making it the higher-yield option compared to BMO Alto's Savings Account, which provides an APY of 3.25%. Chime requires a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the preceding 34 days, while BMO Alto has no such requirement. Both accounts are online-only and have no minimum deposit or maintenance fees. For customers interested in an all-in-one banking experience, Chime's account may be more appealing, especially if a checking account is also opened.

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
BMO Alto

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
Chime

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

Ally Bank
3.30% APY
CIT Bank
3.75% APY
American Express
3.30% APY

BMO Alto vs. Chime Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Savings Account and Chime High-Yield Savings Account
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You earn $25 more with Chime than BMO Alto 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.

BMO Alto

Savings Account

3.25% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$325.00(3.1%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,325.00

Effective APY
3.25%

Chime

Chime High-Yield Savings Account

3.50% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$350.00(3.4%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,350.00

Effective APY
3.50%

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

FeatureBMO AltoChime
APY
3.25%
Verified: 1/7/2026
Stable (90d)
3.50%
Range: 1.00% - 3.50%
Verified: 1/7/2026
↘︎ 0.25%90d Change
Product NameSavings AccountChime High-Yield Savings Account
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$0.01
Monthly Fee$0$0
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Direct Deposit Req.None
RequiredYou need to receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the preceding 34 days
Checking BundleNo Yes
Mobile Apps
iOS-
Android-
iOS4.8
Android4.8
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Not Supported
BBB RatingA+A+
Next Steps
Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 11 Months Analysis
MetricBMO AltoChime
Savings AccountChime High-Yield Savings Account
Current APY
3.25%3.50%
Trend
Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-6.39.5
Days Since Change
11083
11-Month High
4.10%3.75%
11-Month Low
3.25%2.00%
Adjustments / Mo
0.440.18
Volatility Score
0.0650.180
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 342-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 BMO Alto's APY of 3.25% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
BMO Alto vs Affirm3.20%$0
BMO Alto vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
BMO Alto vs American Express3.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
BMO Alto vs Bank of America0.01%$100
BMO Alto vs Barclays4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
BMO Alto vs Betterment3.25%$10
BMO Alto vs Bread Savings4.05%$100
BMO Alto vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
BMO Alto vs Capital One3.40%$0
BMO Alto vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
BMO Alto vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
BMO Alto vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
BMO Alto vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
BMO Alto vs Citibank3.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
BMO Alto vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
BMO Alto vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
BMO Alto vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
BMO Alto vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
BMO Alto vs Elevault3.82%$0
BMO Alto vs EverBank3.90%$0
BMO Alto vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
BMO Alto vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
BMO Alto vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs FVCbank3.85%$500
BMO Alto vs GO2bank4.50%$0
BMO Alto vs Ivy Bank4.10%$2,500
BMO Alto vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
BMO Alto vs LendingClub4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
BMO Alto vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
BMO Alto vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
BMO Alto vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
BMO Alto vs Openbank4.20%$500
BMO Alto vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
BMO Alto vs Pibank4.60%$0
BMO Alto vs PNC3.30%$0
BMO Alto vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
BMO Alto vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
BMO Alto vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
BMO Alto vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
BMO Alto vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
BMO Alto vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
BMO Alto vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
BMO Alto vs TD Bank2.60%$0
BMO Alto vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
BMO Alto vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
BMO Alto vs Upgrade3.05%$0
BMO Alto vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
BMO Alto vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
BMO Alto vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
BMO Alto vs Wealthfront3.90%$0
BMO Alto vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
BMO Alto vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10
Compare Chime's APY of 3.50% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Chime vs Affirm3.20%$0
Chime vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Chime vs American Express3.30%$0
Chime vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Chime vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Chime vs Barclays4.00%$0
Chime vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
Chime vs Betterment3.25%$10
Chime vs Bread Savings4.05%$100
Chime vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
Chime vs Capital One3.40%$0
Chime vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
Chime vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Chime vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Chime vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Chime vs Citibank3.30%$0
Chime vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
Chime vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Chime vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
Chime vs Discover Bank3.40%$0
Chime vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
Chime vs Elevault3.82%$0
Chime vs EverBank3.90%$0
Chime vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Chime vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Chime vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
Chime vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Chime vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Chime vs Ivy Bank4.10%$2,500
Chime vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
Chime vs LendingClub4.00%$0
Chime vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Chime vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
Chime vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
Chime vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
Chime vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Chime vs Openbank4.20%$500
Chime vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
Chime vs Pibank4.60%$0
Chime vs PNC3.30%$0
Chime vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
Chime vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
Chime vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
Chime vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
Chime vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
Chime vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Chime vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
Chime vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
Chime vs TD Bank2.60%$0
Chime vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
Chime vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
Chime vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Chime vs Valley Direct4.00%$1,000
Chime vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Chime vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
Chime vs Wealthfront3.90%$0
Chime vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Chime vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10