Citibank vs. Elevault
Comparing Citibank and Elevault for high-yield savings: Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings pays 3.20% APY while Elevault's High Yield Savings Account pays 3.82% APY.
Note: Elevault caps its top rate at $250,000.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Elevault pays $62 more than Citibank annually ($382 vs $320).
Choose Citibank if you want a no-strings-attached account, mobile app quality matters, or you want Zelle for quick transfers. Choose Elevault if getting the best rate matters most, or BBB rating matters to you.
Important Considerations
Citibank's Accelerate Savings is only available in select states where Citi has no branch presence. Check eligibility before applying.
| Metric | CitibankCiti Accelerate Savings Feb 21, 2026 | ElevaultHigh Yield Savings Account Feb 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% | 3.82% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$160 $10,000+$320 $25,000+$800 | $5,000+$191 $10,000+$382 $25,000+$955 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | Eligibility restricted to select states. | The 3.82% APY is up to $250,000. Balances above that earn no interest. Daily deposit limit is $2,500. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsDaily 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.
Executive Summary
Elevault offers a competitive High Yield Savings Account with an APY of 3.82%, significantly higher than Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings, which provides a 3.20% APY. While both accounts have no minimum deposit requirements and do not mandate direct deposit, Elevault's account is capped at $250,000 for the stated APY, with no interest earned on balances above that limit. Citibank's account, however, is available only to residents in select states. Both banks provide online-only services, making them accessible for digital banking. For those seeking higher yields, Elevault is the clear winner.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Citibank?
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
- ✓Physical branch access (U.S. branches are concentrated in six metropolitan areas, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Miami.)
- ✓Higher rated iOS app (4.9 vs 3.7)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.8 vs 3.9)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $2,500 a day)
Why Elevault?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.82% vs 3.20%) on all balances
- ✓Available Nationwide
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
ElevaultElevault's High Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $382 vs $320/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
ElevaultElevault's High Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $955 vs $800/yr).
Best for Simplicity
CitibankCitibank's Citi Accelerate Savings offers 3.20% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Best Mobile App Experience
CitibankCitibank offers an iOS app rated 4.9 (vs. 3.7) and Android app rated 4.8 (vs. 3.9)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Elevault's High Yield Savings Account pays $62 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Citibank vs. Elevault Savings Calculator
You earn $62 more with Elevault than Citibank 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.
Citibank
Citi Accelerate Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$320.00(3.1%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,320.00
Elevault
High Yield Savings Account
3.82% on first $250,000 and 0.00% thereafter.
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$382.00(3.7%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,382.00
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 $319 per year in interest.
Both Citibank and Elevault dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Citibank | Elevault |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% Verified: 2/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 3.82% Verified: 2/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.26%90d Change |
| Product Name | Citi Accelerate Savings | High Yield Savings Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $4.50. Waived for average monthly balances > $500 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | U.S. branches are concentrated in six metropolitan areas, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Miami. | N/A |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Available Limit: $2,500/dayTiered limits based on account status (Citigold higher). | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | D- | A |
| Important Notes | Eligibility restricted to select states. | The 3.82% APY is up to $250,000. Balances above that earn no interest. Daily deposit limit is $2,500. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Citibank Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Elevault Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Citibank | Elevault | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi® Savings Account | Citi Accelerate Savings | High Yield Savings Account | |
Current APY | 0.03% | 3.20% | 3.82% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -0.0 | -4.7 | -15.1 |
Days Since Change | 198 | 25 | 67 |
7-Month High | 0.03% | 3.50% | 4.60% |
7-Month Low | 0.03% | 3.20% | 3.82% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.00 | 0.60 | 0.45 |
Volatility Score | 0.000 | 0.027 | 0.071 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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More Comparisons
Compare Citibank's APY of 3.20% with other banks
Compare Elevault's APY of 3.82% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Elevault vs Ally Bank | 3.20% | $0 |
| Elevault vs American Express | 3.30% | $0 |
| Elevault vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Elevault vs Bank of America | 0.01% | $100 |
| Elevault vs Barclays | 3.85% | $0 |
| Elevault vs Capital One | 3.30% | $0 |
| Elevault vs Chase Bank | 0.01% | $0 |
| Elevault vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| Elevault vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Elevault vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Elevault vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Elevault vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| Elevault vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| Elevault vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| Elevault vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| Elevault vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Elevault vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| Elevault vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| Elevault vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |
| Elevault vs Wells Fargo | 0.05% | $25 |