CIT Bank vs. Sallie Mae Bank
Comparing CIT Bank and Sallie Mae Bank for high-yield savings: CIT Bank's Platinum Savings pays 3.75% APY while Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays 3.90% APY.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Sallie Mae Bank pays $15 more than CIT Bank annually ($390 vs $375).
Choose CIT Bank if mobile app quality matters, or you want Zelle for quick transfers. Choose Sallie Mae Bank if getting the best rate matters most.
| Metric | CIT BankPlatinum Savings Feb 6, 2026 | Sallie Mae BankHigh-Yield Savings Account Feb 6, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 0.25% - 3.75% | 3.90% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$188 $10,000+$375 $25,000+$938 | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 |
Min Deposit | $100 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | 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 InsuredMod. MinimumGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDaily 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 CIT Bank vs. Sallie Mae Bank
Executive Summary
Sallie Mae Bank offers the highest APY of 3.90% with its High-Yield Savings Account, which is an online-only product requiring no minimum deposit or balance, making it a straightforward choice for savers. In comparison, CIT Bank's Platinum Savings account provides a competitive 3.75% APY, but it requires a minimum balance of $5,000 to earn that rate, with lower balances yielding only 0.25%. While CIT Bank features a well-rated mobile app, Sallie Mae Bank is noted for its simplicity and better returns at various deposit levels. Both banks do not require direct deposit and have no maintenance fees.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why CIT Bank?
- ✓Higher rated iOS app (4.8 vs 1.5)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.6 vs 1.6)
- ✓Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle®
Why Sallie Mae Bank?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.65%-3.75%) on all balances
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Sallie Mae BankSallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $390 vs $375/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Sallie Mae BankSallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $938/yr).
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
CIT BankCIT Bank offers an iOS app rated 4.8 (vs. 1.5) and Android app rated 4.6 (vs. 1.6)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account 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.
* Secure link to our partner
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
CIT Bank vs. Sallie Mae Bank Savings Calculator
You earn $15 more with Sallie Mae Bank 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.
CIT Bank
Platinum Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$375.00(3.6%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,375.00
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 $374 per year in interest.
Both CIT Bank and Sallie Mae Bank dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | CIT Bank | Sallie Mae Bank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.75% Range: 0.25% - 3.75% Verified: 2/6/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 3.90% Verified: 2/6/2026 Stable (90d) |
| Product Name | Platinum Savings | High-Yield Savings Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $5,000 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | None. You cannot make use of First Citizens Bank's branches. | N/A |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Available Supported for eChecking users post-First Citizens merger. | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Important Notes | 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 SiteGo to CIT Bank * Secure link to our partner | Visit SiteVerify at Sallie Mae Bank Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | CIT Bank | Sallie Mae Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savings Connect | Platinum Savings | High-Yield Savings Account | |
Current APY | 3.65% | 3.75% | 3.90% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -3.7 | -4.7 | -0.0 |
Days Since Change | 78 | 78 | 365 |
12-Month High | 4.00% | 4.30% | 3.90% |
12-Month Low | 3.65% | 3.75% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.25 | 0.33 | 0.00 |
Volatility Score | 0.037 | 0.044 | 0.000 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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More Comparisons
Compare CIT Bank's APY of 3.75% 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 Barclays | 4.00% | $0 |
| 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 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 |