Chime vs. Citizens Access
High-Yield Savings Account Comparison
By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: November 16, 2025
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Summary of Chime vs. Citizens Access™
Key Metrics at a Glance
| Feature | Chime | Citizens Access™ |
|---|---|---|
| Top Savings APY | 3.50% Chime Savings Account | 3.35% Citizens Access® Savings |
| Minimum to Open | $0 | $0.01 |
| Minimum Balance for Top APY | $0.01 | $0.01 |
| Note | Chime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. To open a savings account you must first open a checking account. To qualify for Chime+ with the 3.50% APY, you must have a Chime Checking account and receive a direct deposit of at least $200. Otherwise, the APY is 1.00%. |
Chime
Strengths
- Chime offers a higher APY of 3.50% compared to Citizens Access's 3.35%.
- Chime has a strong BBB rating of A+ and is BBB Accredited.
- Chime has a lower minimum deposit of $0 compared to Citizens Access's $0.01.
Potential Drawbacks
- Chime requires a direct deposit of $200 to qualify for the 3.50% APY.
- Chime's APY has remained the same at 3.50% over the last 30 days.
- Chime has a lower Google Play rating of 4.7 compared to Citizens Access's 4.8.
Citizens Access™
Strengths
- Citizens Access has no direct deposit requirement for its savings account.
- Citizens Access's APY was 3.50% 30 days ago, showing a slight decrease to 3.35%.
- Citizens Access has a higher Google Play rating of 4.8 compared to Chime's 4.7.
Potential Drawbacks
- Citizens Access offers a lower APY of 3.35% compared to Chime's 3.50%.
- Citizens Access has a minimum deposit requirement of $0.01.
- Citizens Access has a maintenance fee of $0, but so does Chime.
Summary: Chime offers a higher APY of 3.50% but requires a $200 direct deposit, whereas Citizens Access provides a lower APY of 3.35% without a direct deposit requirement. Both banks have an A+ BBB rating, but Citizens Access has a slightly better Google Play rating. Chime has a lower minimum deposit requirement, making it more accessible for new savers.
→ As of November 16, 2025 Chime offers an APY of 3.50% for its Chime Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0.01, compared to Citizens Access™'s 3.35% APY for its Citizens Access® Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.
→ Chime yields $15 more than Citizens Access™ on a $10,000 balance after one year. Chime pays $350, while Citizens Access™ pays $335 - an APY advantage for Chime.
Calculate Savings Growth for Chime vs Citizens Access™
All calculations are based on APY.
Chime - Chime Savings Account
Top APY: 3.50%
Total savings breakdown:
- Interest earned: $2,114.1 (10.51%)
- Total contributions: $13,000 (64.63%)
- Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.86%)
Your total balance
$20,114.10
Effective APY: 3.50% (based on your deposit and contributions)
Total balance: $20,114.1
Earnings: $2,114.1
Bank OverviewCitizens Access™ - Citizens Access® Savings
Top APY: 3.35%
Total savings breakdown:
- Interest earned: $2,018.8 (10.08%)
- Total contributions: $13,000 (64.94%)
- Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.98%)
Your total balance
$20,018.80
Effective APY: 3.35% (based on your deposit and contributions)
Total balance: $20,018.8
Earnings: $2,018.8
Bank OverviewWith a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, Chime's total earnings would be $95.3 higher than Citizens Access™'s total earnings.
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Compare Chime's vs Citizens Access™'s Savings Accounts
| Chime | Citizens Access™ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Chime Savings Account | vs | Citizens Access® Savings |
| APY | 1.00% - 3.50% (as of 11/16/2025) | 3.35% (as of 11/16/2025) | |
| Bundled Account | Yes | No | |
| FDIC-insured | Yes | Yes | |
| Online Only | Yes | Yes | |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily | |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0.01 | |
| Minimum Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0.01 | |
| Maintenance Fee | $0 | $0 | |
| Direct Deposit Required | Yes. You need to receive a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within the preceding 34 days | No | |
| Note | Chime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. To open a savings account you must first open a checking account. To qualify for Chime+ with the 3.50% APY, you must have a Chime Checking account and receive a direct deposit of at least $200. Otherwise, the APY is 1.00%. | ||
| App Store Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 | |
| Google Play Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.8/5 | |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 10 Months)
| Chime | Citizens Access™ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Chime Savings Account | vs | Citizens Access® Savings |
| Latest APY | 3.50 % | 3.35 % | |
| Trend | Rising | Sideways | |
| Slope (bps/mo) | 15.1 | -3.6 | |
| Rate Changes / Mo | 0.21 | 0.21 | |
| Days Since Last Change | 31 | 17 | |
| High (-10 m) | 3.75 % | 3.70 % | |
| Low (-10 m) | 2.00 % | 3.35 % | |
| Draw-down from High | -6.7 % | -9.5 % | |
| Volatility (CV) | 0.204 | 0.034 |
APY Insights Glossary
- Latest APY
- Most recent advertised annual-percentage yield.
- Trend
- Direction over the last 10 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 (-10 m)
- Highest APY in the last 290 days.
- Low (-10 m)
- Lowest APY in the last 290 days.
- Draw-down from High
- How far today sits below the 10-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.