Citibank vs. Citizens Access
High-Yield Savings Account Comparison
By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: November 12, 2025
We earn a commission if you open an account through some links on this page.
Summary of Citibank vs. Citizens Access™
Key Metrics at a Glance
| Feature | Citibank | Citizens Access™ |
|---|---|---|
| Top Savings APY | 3.35% Citi Accelerate Savings | 3.35% Citizens Access® Savings |
| Minimum to Open | $0 | $0.01 |
| Minimum Balance for Top APY | $0.01 | $0.01 |
Citibank
Strengths
- Citi Accelerate Savings offers a competitive APY of 3.35%, slightly lower than 30 days ago.
- Citi Accelerate Savings has no minimum deposit requirement.
- Citi Accelerate Savings allows for waiving the maintenance fee with a balance over $500.
Potential Drawbacks
- Citi Accelerate Savings has a poor BBB rating of D- and is not accredited.
- Citi Accelerate Savings charges a maintenance fee of $4.50 if balance requirements are not met.
- Citi Accelerate Savings is only available online.
Citizens Access™
Strengths
- Citizens Access® Savings has a strong BBB rating of A+.
- Citizens Access® Savings has no maintenance fees.
- Citizens Access® Savings offers a competitive APY of 3.35%.
Potential Drawbacks
- Citizens Access® Savings' APY decreased from 3.50% in the last 30 days.
- Citizens Access® Savings requires a minimum deposit of $0.01.
- Citizens Access® Savings is only available online.
Summary: Both banks offer high-yield savings accounts with an APY of 3.35%. However, Citibank has a poor BBB rating and charges maintenance fees, while Citizens Access™ has a strong A+ rating and no fees. Citibank's APY decreased slightly, while Citizens Access™ experienced a more significant drop. Both accounts have online-only access and no minimum balance requirements, but Citibank's account has more stringent fee conditions.
→ As of 11/12/2025 both Citibank (Citi Accelerate Savings) and Citizens Access™ (Citizens Access® Savings) offer an APY of 3.35% .
→ Both banks yield $335 in interest on a $10,000 balance after one year. Neither has an APY advantage, so consider other features (fees, access, app ratings, etc.) when choosing.
→ In addition, Citibank also offers 0.03% APY for the Citi® Savings Account account.
Calculate Savings Growth for Citibank vs Citizens Access™
All calculations are based on APY.
Citibank - Citi Accelerate 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 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, Citibank's total earnings would be the same as Citizens Access™'s total earnings.
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Compare Citibank's vs Citizens Access™'s Savings Accounts
| Citibank | Citizens Access™ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Citi Accelerate Savings | Citi® Savings Account | vs | Citizens Access® Savings |
| APY | 3.35% (as of 11/12/2025) | 0.03% (as of 11/12/2025) | 3.35% (as of 11/12/2025) | |
| Bundled Account | No | No | No | |
| FDIC-insured | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Online Only | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily | Daily | |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | $0.01 | |
| Minimum Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0.01 | |
| Maintenance Fee | $4.50. Waived for average monthly balances > $500 | $4.50. Waived for average monthly balances > $500 | $0 | |
| Direct Deposit Required | No | No | No | |
| Eligibility | Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida (select parts), Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois (select parts), Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia (partial), Washington (partial), Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming. | California, Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Virginia (partial), Washington D.C., and select parts of Florida and Illinois. In addition, promotional rates may be available if requirements are met. | United States | |
| App Store Rating | 4.9/5 | 4.8/5 | ||
| Google Play Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 | ||
| BBB Rating | D- | A+ | ||
Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 9 Months)
| Citibank | Citizens Access™ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Citi® Savings Account | Citi Accelerate Savings | vs | Citizens Access® Savings |
| Latest APY | 0.03 % | 3.35 % | 3.35 % | |
| Trend | Sideways | Sideways | Sideways | |
| Slope (bps/mo) | 0.0 | -4.8 | -3.5 | |
| Rate Changes / Mo | 0.00 | 0.52 | 0.21 | |
| Days Since Last Change | 289 | 9 | 14 | |
| High (-9 m) | 0.03 % | 3.80 % | 3.70 % | |
| Low (-9 m) | 0.03 % | 3.35 % | 3.35 % | |
| Draw-down from High | 0.0 % | -11.8 % | -9.5 % | |
| Volatility (CV) | 0.000 | 0.039 | 0.032 | |
APY Insights Glossary
- Latest APY
- Most recent advertised annual-percentage yield.
- Trend
- Direction over the last 9 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 (-9 m)
- Highest APY in the last 289 days.
- Low (-9 m)
- Lowest APY in the last 289 days.
- Draw-down from High
- How far today sits below the 9-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.