Citibank vs. Wealthfront
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
| Metric | CitibankCiti Accelerate Savings Jan 7, 2026 | WealthfrontCash Account Jan 7, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% | 3.25% - 3.90% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$165 $10,000+$330 $25,000+$825 | $5,000+$171 $10,000+$341 $25,000+$853 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | Eligibility restricted to select states. | Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get an APY of 3.90% for 3 months, after which the 3.25% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® Supported | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App |
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. Wealthfront
As of Citibank offers an APY of 3.30% for its Citi Accelerate Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01, compared to Wealthfront's 3.90% APY for its Cash Account, with a minimum balance of $0.
Wealthfront pays $11 more than Citibank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Citibank pays $330, while Wealthfront pays $341 (with an effective APY of 3.41%) - an APY advantage for Wealthfront.
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.)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $2,500 a day)
Why Wealthfront?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.30%) on all balances
- ✓Available Nationwide
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
WealthfrontWealthfront's Cash Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $341 vs $330/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
WealthfrontWealthfront's Cash Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $853 vs $825/yr).
Best for Simplicity
WealthfrontWealthfront's Cash Account offers 3.90% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period (factoring in a 3-month promo), Wealthfront's Cash Account pays $11 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Citibank's Citi Accelerate Savings.
*Wealthfront's calculation includes their 3-month introductory promotional rate and subsequent standard rate.
Executive Summary as of
Wealthfront offers a competitive Cash Account with an APY of 3.90%, making it the winner in this comparison. This account is online-only and requires no minimum deposit or maintenance fees, providing simplicity for users. After an initial promotional period, the APY adjusts to 3.25%. In contrast, Citibank's top savings product, the Citi Accelerate Savings, yields 3.30% APY but is restricted to select states and also requires a checking account for access. While Citibank provides a lower yield, it offers a secondary savings option with a minimal APY of 0.03%.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Citibank vs. Wealthfront Savings Calculator
You earn $12.5 more with Wealthfront 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
Wealthfront
Cash Account
Promo Rate: 3.90% for 3 months, then 3.25%.
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$342.50(3.3%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,342.50
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
| Feature | Citibank | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% Verified: 1/7/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 3.90% Range: 3.25% - 3.90% Verified: 1/7/2026 - |
| Product Name | Citi Accelerate Savings | Cash Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0 |
| 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 | iOS4.8 Android4.9 |
| Zelle® Support | Available Limit: $2,500/dayTiered limits based on account status (Citigold higher). | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | D- | F |
| Important Notes | Eligibility restricted to select states. | Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get an APY of 3.90% for 3 months, after which the 3.25% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Citibank Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Wealthfront Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Citibank | Wealthfront | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi® Savings Account | Citi Accelerate Savings | Cash Account | |
Current APY | 0.03% | 3.30% | 3.90% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -0.0 | -1.3 | -18.8 |
Days Since Change | 55 | 50 | 19 |
2-Month High | 0.03% | 3.35% | 4.15% |
2-Month Low | 0.03% | 3.30% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.00 | 0.54 | 0.54 |
Volatility Score | 0.000 | 0.004 | 0.030 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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