Citibank vs. Newtek Bank

High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: November 12, 2025

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Summary of Citibank vs. Newtek Bank

Key Metrics at a Glance

FeatureCitibankNewtek Bank
Top Savings APY

3.35%

Citi Accelerate Savings

4.35%

Personal High Yield Savings

Minimum to Open$0$0
Minimum Balance for Top APY$0.01$0.01

Citibank

Strengths

  • Citi Accelerate Savings has a low minimum balance requirement of $0.01.
  • Citi Accelerate Savings offers a competitive APY of 3.35%, though it decreased from 3.40% last month.
  • CitiBank has a high App Store rating of 4.9.

Potential Drawbacks

  • CitiBank has a low BBB rating of D- and is not BBB Accredited.
  • Citi Accelerate Savings charges a maintenance fee of $4.50 unless balance requirements are met.
  • CitiBank has limited branch availability, primarily in six metropolitan areas.

Newtek Bank

Strengths

  • Newtek Bank offers a high APY of 4.35% with no maintenance fees.
  • Newtek Bank has an A+ BBB rating and is BBB Accredited.
  • Newtek Bank has no branch locations, making it entirely online.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Newtek Bank has a lower App Store rating of 4.5 compared to CitiBank.
  • Newtek Bank's Google Play rating is lower at 4.2.
  • Newtek Bank does not have any physical branches.
Summary: Newtek Bank offers a higher APY of 4.35% with no fees and an A+ BBB rating, making it a strong choice for online savers. In contrast, CitiBank's highest APY is 3.35% with fees and a D- BBB rating, though it has a higher App Store rating and some branch presence. Users may prefer Newtek for its better rates and accreditation, while CitiBank may appeal to those valuing branch access.

→ As of November 12, 2025 Citibank offers an APY of 3.35% for its Citi Accelerate Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01, compared to Newtek Bank's 4.35% APY for its Personal High Yield Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.

Newtek Bank yields $100 more than Citibank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Citibank pays $335, while Newtek Bank pays $435 - an APY advantage for Newtek Bank.

→ In addition, Citibank also offers 0.03% APY for the Citi® Savings Account account.

Calculate Savings Growth for Citibank vs Newtek Bank

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 Overview

Newtek Bank - Personal High Yield Savings

Top APY: 4.35%

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $2,662 (12.88%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (62.92%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.20%)

Your total balance

$20,662.00

Effective APY: 4.35% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,662

Earnings: $2,662

Bank Overview

With a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, Citibank's total earnings would be $643.2 lower than Newtek Bank's total earnings.

The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.

Compare Citibank's vs Newtek Bank's Savings Accounts

CitibankNewtek Bank
ProductCiti Accelerate SavingsCiti® Savings AccountvsPersonal High Yield Savings
APY
3.35% (as of 11/12/2025)0.03% (as of 11/12/2025)4.35% (as of 11/12/2025)
Bundled Account
NoNoNo
FDIC-insured
YesYesYes
Online OnlyYesNoYes
Compound Frequency
DailyDailyDaily
Minimum Deposit$0$0$0
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
NoNoNo
EligibilityAlaska, 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 Rating4.9/54.5/5
Google Play Rating4.8/54.2/5
BBB RatingD-A+

Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 9 Months)

CitibankNewtek Bank
ProductCiti® Savings AccountCiti Accelerate SavingsvsPersonal High Yield Savings
Latest APY0.03 %3.35 %4.35 %
TrendSidewaysSidewaysSideways
Slope (bps/mo)0.0-4.8-1.5
Rate Changes / Mo0.000.520.21
Days Since Last Change2899216
High (-9 m)0.03 %3.80 %4.55 %
Low (-9 m)0.03 %3.35 %4.35 %
Draw-down from High0.0 %-11.8 %-4.4 %
Volatility (CV)0.0000.0390.014
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.

More Comparisons

Compare Citibank's APY of 3.35% with other banks
Compare Newtek Bank's APY of 4.35% with other banks