Citibank vs. Ivy Bank
Comparing Citibank and Ivy Bank for high-yield savings: Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings pays 3.20% APY while Ivy Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays 3.85% APY.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Ivy Bank pays $65 more than Citibank annually ($385 vs $320).
Choose Citibank if you're an Android user, or you want Zelle for quick transfers. Choose Ivy Bank 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 | Ivy BankHigh-Yield Savings Account Feb 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% | 0.05% - 3.85% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$160 $10,000+$320 $25,000+$800 | $5,000+$193 $10,000+$385 $25,000+$963 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $2,500 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | Eligibility restricted to select states. | - |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredMod. MinimumGreat iOS AppDaily 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
Ivy Bank offers a High-Yield Savings Account with a competitive APY of 3.85%, making it the winner in this comparison. This account requires a minimum deposit and balance of $2,500, but has no maintenance fees. In contrast, Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings account provides an APY of 3.20% and has no direct deposit requirement or minimum balance, although it is only available to residents in select states. Both banks provide online-only accounts, and Citibank also offers a lower-yield savings option at 0.03% APY for different eligibility criteria.
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 Android app (4.8 vs 0.0)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $2,500 a day)
Why Ivy Bank?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.85% vs 3.20%) on all balances
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Ivy BankIvy Bank's High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $385 vs $320/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Ivy BankIvy Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $963 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. 4.7) and Android app rated 4.8 (vs. 0.0)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Ivy Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays $65 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. Ivy Bank Savings Calculator
You earn $65 more with Ivy Bank 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
Ivy Bank
High-Yield Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$385.00(3.7%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,385.00
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 Ivy Bank dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Citibank | Ivy Bank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% Verified: 2/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 3.85% Range: 0.05% - 3.85% Verified: 2/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.40%90d Change |
| Product Name | Citi Accelerate Savings | High-Yield Savings Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $2,500 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $2,500 |
| 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. | None |
| 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. | - |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Citibank Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Ivy Bank Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Citibank | Ivy Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi® Savings Account | Citi Accelerate Savings | High-Yield Savings Account | |
Current APY | 0.03% | 3.20% | 3.85% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -0.0 | -3.8 | -11.1 |
Days Since Change | 100 | 25 | 3 |
3-Month High | 0.03% | 3.35% | 4.25% |
3-Month Low | 0.03% | 3.20% | 3.85% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.00 | 0.60 | 0.90 |
Volatility Score | 0.000 | 0.014 | 0.028 |
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 Ivy Bank's APY of 3.85% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy Bank vs Ally Bank | 3.20% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs American Express | 3.30% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs Bank of America | 0.01% | $100 |
| Ivy Bank vs Barclays | 3.85% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs Capital One | 3.30% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs Chase Bank | 0.01% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Ivy Bank vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| Ivy Bank vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| Ivy Bank vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |
| Ivy Bank vs Wells Fargo | 0.05% | $25 |