Citibank vs. Santander Bank
High-Yield Savings Account Comparison
By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: November 12, 2025
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Summary of Citibank vs. Santander Bank
Key Metrics at a Glance
| Feature | Citibank | Santander Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Top Savings APY | 3.35% Citi Accelerate Savings | 0.01% Santander Savings |
| Minimum to Open | $0 | $25 |
| Minimum Balance for Top APY | $0.01 | $0 |
Citibank
Strengths
- Citi Accelerate Savings offers a competitive APY of 3.35%, higher than Santander's 0.01%.
- Citibank has a higher App Store rating at 4.9 compared to Santander's 4.8.
- Citibank's branches are located in major metropolitan areas, providing better accessibility.
Potential Drawbacks
- Citibank has a low BBB rating of D- and is not accredited.
- Citi Accelerate Savings has a monthly maintenance fee of $4.50, waived only for balances over $500.
- Citibank's Google Play rating is lower at 4.8 compared to Santander's 4.1.
Santander Bank
Strengths
- Santander's maintenance fee is lower at $1 compared to Citibank's $4.50.
- Santander's Google Play rating is 4.1, indicating decent user satisfaction.
- Santander has a straightforward savings account with no minimum balance requirement.
Potential Drawbacks
- Santander Savings offers a significantly lower APY of 0.01% compared to Citibank's 3.35%.
- Santander is not rated by the BBB, which may raise concerns for some customers.
- Santander's branch availability is limited primarily to the Northeast and Miami.
Summary: Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings account offers a significantly higher APY of 3.35% compared to Santander's 0.01%. While Citibank has a higher App Store rating, it also has a low BBB rating and higher fees. Santander has a lower maintenance fee and a decent Google Play rating, but its branch presence is limited and it lacks a competitive APY. Overall, Citibank may be more appealing for those prioritizing higher interest rates.
→ 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 Santander Bank's 0.01% APY for its Santander Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.
→ Citibank yields $334 more than Santander Bank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Citibank pays $335, while Santander Bank pays $1 - an APY advantage for Citibank.
→ In addition, Citibank also offers 0.03% APY for the Citi® Savings Account account.
Calculate Savings Growth for Citibank vs Santander 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 OverviewSantander Bank - Santander Savings
Top APY: 0.01%
Total savings breakdown:
- Interest earned: $5.7 (0.03%)
- Total contributions: $13,000 (72.20%)
- Initial deposit: $5,000 (27.77%)
Your total balance
$18,005.70
Effective APY: 0.01% (based on your deposit and contributions)
Total balance: $18,005.7
Earnings: $5.7
Bank OverviewWith a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, Citibank's total earnings would be $2,013.1 higher than Santander Bank's total earnings.
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Compare Citibank's vs Santander Bank's Savings Accounts
| Citibank | Santander Bank | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Citi Accelerate Savings | Citi® Savings Account | vs | Santander Savings |
| APY | 3.35% (as of 11/12/2025) | 0.03% (as of 11/12/2025) | 0.01% (as of 11/12/2025) | |
| Bundled Account | No | No | No | |
| FDIC-insured | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Online Only | Yes | No | No | |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily | Daily | |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | $25 | |
| Minimum Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0.01 | $0 | |
| Maintenance Fee | $4.50. Waived for average monthly balances > $500 | $4.50. Waived for average monthly balances > $500 | $1 | |
| Direct Deposit Required | No | No | No | |
| Eligibility | Alaska, 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 Rating | 4.9/5 | 4.8/5 | ||
| Google Play Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.1/5 | ||
| BBB Rating | D- | Not Rated | ||
Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 9 Months)
| Citibank | Santander Bank | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Citi® Savings Account | Citi Accelerate Savings | vs | Santander Savings |
| Latest APY | 0.03 % | 3.35 % | 0.01 % | |
| Trend | Sideways | Sideways | Sideways | |
| Slope (bps/mo) | 0.0 | -4.8 | -0.2 | |
| Rate Changes / Mo | 0.00 | 0.52 | 0.10 | |
| Days Since Last Change | 289 | 9 | 55 | |
| High (-9 m) | 0.03 % | 3.80 % | 0.03 % | |
| Low (-9 m) | 0.03 % | 3.35 % | 0.01 % | |
| Draw-down from High | 0.0 % | -11.8 % | -66.7 % | |
| Volatility (CV) | 0.000 | 0.039 | 0.318 | |
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.