Citibank vs. Sallie Mae Bank
Comparing Citibank and Sallie Mae Bank for high-yield savings: Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings pays 3.20% APY while Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays 3.90% APY.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Sallie Mae Bank pays $70 more than Citibank annually ($390 vs $320).
Choose Citibank if mobile app quality matters, or you want Zelle for quick transfers. Choose Sallie Mae 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 6, 2026 | Sallie Mae BankHigh-Yield Savings Account Feb 6, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% | 3.90% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$160 $10,000+$320 $25,000+$800 | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
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 InsuredNo MinimumsDaily CompoundingStable Rate |
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.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Citibank vs. Sallie Mae Bank
Executive Summary
Sallie Mae Bank offers a High-Yield Savings Account with a competitive APY of 3.90%, making it the standout option compared to Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings, which provides a lower APY of 3.20%. Sallie Mae's account has no maintenance fees and does not require direct deposit, appealing to those seeking simplicity. In contrast, Citibank's account has a maintenance fee of $4.50, waived for balances over $500, and is limited to select states. While Citibank provides a strong mobile app experience, Sallie Mae Bank's higher APY and user-friendly features position it as the more attractive choice for savers.
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?
- ✓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 1.5)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.8 vs 1.6)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $2,500 a day)
Why Sallie Mae Bank?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.20%) on all balances
- ✓Available Nationwide
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Sallie Mae BankSallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $390 vs $320/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Sallie Mae BankSallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $800/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Sallie Mae BankSallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account 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. 1.5) and Android app rated 4.8 (vs. 1.6)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays $70 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. Sallie Mae Bank Savings Calculator
You earn $70 more with Sallie Mae 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
Sallie Mae Bank
High-Yield Savings Account
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.
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 Sallie Mae Bank dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Citibank | Sallie Mae Bank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.20% Verified: 2/6/2026 ↘︎ 0.15%90d Change | 3.90% Verified: 2/6/2026 Stable (90d) |
| 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. | - |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Citibank Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Sallie Mae Bank Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Citibank | Sallie Mae Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi® Savings Account | Citi Accelerate Savings | High-Yield Savings Account | |
Current APY | 0.03% | 3.20% | 3.90% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | 0.0 | -4.7 | -0.0 |
Days Since Change | 365 | 10 | 365 |
12-Month High | 0.03% | 3.80% | 3.90% |
12-Month Low | 0.03% | 3.20% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.00 | 0.58 | 0.00 |
Volatility Score | 0.000 | 0.049 | 0.000 |
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 Sallie Mae Bank's APY of 3.90% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Ally Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs American Express | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Bank of America | 0.01% | $100 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Barclays | 4.00% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Capital One | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Chase Bank | 0.01% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Wells Fargo | 0.05% | $25 |