Citizens Access vs. Wells Fargo
High-Yield Savings Account Comparison
By Aviel Fahl|Last Updated: October 16, 2025
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Summary of Citizens Access™ vs. Wells Fargo
Key Metrics at a Glance
| Feature | Citizens Access™ | Wells Fargo |
|---|---|---|
| Top Savings APY | 3.50% Citizens Access® Savings | 2.51% Platinum Savings |
| Minimum to Open | $0.01 | $25 |
| Minimum Balance for Top APY | $0.01 | $1,000,000 |
| Note | This is a tiered savings account where rates vary based on the balance. The 2.51% APY is available for balances of $1,000,000 or more, and 0.05% APY up to $99,999.99. These APYs require the account is linked to a Wells Fargo Premier checking account. See bank for more tiers and details. |
Citizens Access™
Strengths
- Citizens Access™ offers a higher APY of 3.50% compared to Wells Fargo's 2.51%.
- Citizens Access™ has no maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements.
- Citizens Access™ has an excellent BBB rating of A+.
Potential Drawbacks
- Citizens Access™ has no physical branches or ATMs.
Wells Fargo
Strengths
- Wells Fargo has physical branches and ATMs in 36 states and Washington, D.C.
- Wells Fargo offers a tiered savings account with options for different balance levels.
Potential Drawbacks
- Wells Fargo has a low BBB rating of F and is not BBB Accredited.
- Wells Fargo's Platinum Savings requires a $1,000,000 minimum balance for the highest APY.
→ As of October 16, 2025 Citizens Access™ offers an APY of 3.50% for its Citizens Access® Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01, compared to Wells Fargo's 2.51% APY for its Platinum Savings account, with a minimum balance of $1,000,000.
→ Citizens Access™ yields $345 more than Wells Fargo on a $10,000 balance after one year. Citizens Access™ pays $350, while Wells Fargo pays $5 (with an effective APY of 0.05%) - an APY advantage for Citizens Access™.
→ In addition, Wells Fargo also offers 0.01% APY for the Way2Save Savings account.
Calculate Savings Growth for Citizens Access™ vs Wells Fargo
Citizens Access™
Total savings breakdown:
- Interest earned: $2,114.1 (10.51%)
- Total contributions: $13,000 (64.63%)
- Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.86%)
Your total balance
$20,114.10
Total balance: $20,114.1
Earnings: $2,114.1
Bank OverviewWells Fargo
⚠️The higher APY only applies once your balance reaches $1,000,000.
Total savings breakdown:
- Interest earned: $28.6 (0.16%)
- Total contributions: $13,000 (72.11%)
- Initial deposit: $5,000 (27.73%)
Your total balance
$18,028.60
Total balance: $18,028.6
Earnings: $28.6
Bank OverviewWith a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, Citizens Access™'s total earnings would be $2,085.5 higher than Wells Fargo's total earnings.
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Compare Citizens Access™'s vs Wells Fargo's Savings Accounts
| Citizens Access™ | Wells Fargo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Citizens Access® Savings | vs | Way2Save Savings | Platinum Savings |
| APY | 3.50% (as of 10/16/2025) | 0.01% (as of 10/16/2025) | 0.05% - 2.51% (as of 10/16/2025) | |
| Bundled Account | No | No | Yes | |
| FDIC-insured | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Online Only | Yes | No | No | |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily | Daily | |
| Minimum Deposit | $0.01 | $25 | $25 | |
| Minimum Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0 | $1,000,000 | |
| Maintenance Fee | $0 | $5. Waived under some circumstances. | $12. Waived with $3,500 minimum daily balance. | |
| Direct Deposit Required | No | No | No | |
| Note | This is a tiered savings account where rates vary based on the balance. The 2.51% APY is available for balances of $1,000,000 or more, and 0.05% APY up to $99,999.99. These APYs require the account is linked to a Wells Fargo Premier checking account. See bank for more tiers and details. | |||
| App Store Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.9/5 | ||
| Google Play Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.8/5 | ||
| BBB Rating | A+ | F | ||
Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 3 Months)
| Citizens Access™ | Wells Fargo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product | Citizens Access® Savings | vs | Platinum Savings | Way2Save Savings |
| Latest APY | 3.50 % | 2.51 % | 0.01 % | |
| Trend | Falling | Falling | Sideways | |
| Slope (bps/mo) | -5.2 | -19.8 | -0.0 | |
| Rate Changes / Mo | 0.32 | 0.64 | 0.00 | |
| Days Since Last Change | 78 | 0 | 94 | |
| High (-3 m) | 3.70 % | 2.51 % | 0.01 % | |
| Low (-3 m) | 3.50 % | 0.05 % | 0.01 % | |
| Draw-down from High | -5.4 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | |
| Volatility (CV) | 0.021 | 0.214 | 0.000 | |
APY Insights Glossary
- Latest APY
- Most recent advertised annual-percentage yield.
- Trend
- Direction over the last 3 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 (-3 m)
- Highest APY in the last 94 days.
- Low (-3 m)
- Lowest APY in the last 94 days.
- Draw-down from High
- How far today sits below the 3-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.