Citibank vs. Popular Direct
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
| Metric | CitibankCiti Accelerate Savings Jan 7, 2026 | Popular DirectPopular Direct Select Savings Jan 7, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% | 3.90% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$165 $10,000+$330 $25,000+$825 | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $100 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | Eligibility restricted to select states. | - |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® Supported | FDIC InsuredLow Minimums |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.21% APY.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Citibank vs. Popular Direct
As of Citibank offers an APY of 3.30% for its Citi Accelerate Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01, compared to Popular Direct's 3.90% APY for its Popular Direct Select Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.
Popular Direct pays $60 more than Citibank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Citibank pays $330, while Popular Direct pays $390 - an APY advantage for Popular Direct.
In addition, Citibank also offers 0.03% APY for the Citi® Savings Account account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.
Why Citibank?
- ✓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 1.3)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.8 vs 1.3)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $2,500 a day)
Why Popular Direct?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.30%) on all balances
- ✓Available Nationwide
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Popular DirectPopular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $390 vs $330/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Popular DirectPopular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $825/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Popular DirectPopular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings offers 3.90% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Best Mobile App Experience
CitibankCitibank offers an iOS app rated 4.9 (vs. 1.3) and Android app rated 4.8 (vs. 1.3)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Popular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pays $60 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.
Executive Summary as of
Popular Direct offers a competitive edge with its Popular Direct Select Savings account, featuring a high APY of 3.90%, making it a strong choice for savers. This account requires a minimum deposit of $100 and has no maintenance fees, providing better returns compared to Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings, which offers a lower APY of 3.30% and is available only in select states. Citibank also has a secondary savings option with a significantly lower APY of 0.03%. Both accounts do not require direct deposit, but Popular Direct's account is entirely online, while Citibank offers a mobile app rated highly for user experience.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
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Citibank vs. Popular Direct Savings Calculator
You earn $60 more with Popular Direct 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+$330.00(3.2%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,330.00
Popular Direct
Popular Direct Select Savings
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.
| Feature | Citibank | Popular Direct |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% Verified: 1/7/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 3.90% Verified: 1/7/2026 ↘︎ 0.15%90d Change |
| Product Name | Citi Accelerate Savings | Popular Direct Select Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0.01 |
| Monthly Fee | $4.50. Waived for average monthly balances > $500 | $0 |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | iOS4.9 Android4.8 | iOS1.3 Android1.3 |
| 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 Popular Direct Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Citibank | Popular Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi® Savings Account | Citi Accelerate Savings | Popular Direct Select Savings | |
Current APY | 0.03% | 3.30% | 3.90% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | 0.0 | -4.8 | -2.4 |
Days Since Change | 343 | 50 | 23 |
11-Month High | 0.03% | 3.80% | 4.50% |
11-Month Low | 0.03% | 3.30% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.00 | 0.52 | 0.78 |
Volatility Score | 0.000 | 0.047 | 0.027 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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