High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Discover Bank vs. Sallie Mae Bank

Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated December 10, 2025

Discover Bank

Online Savings Account

3.40%
APY
Dec 10, 2025
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
Show Fine Print & Trends
Min. Deposit$0
Min. Balance$0
Maintenance Fee$0
Compound FreqDaily
Direct DepositNot required
Deposit InsuranceFDIC Insured(Cert: 4297)
EligibilityUnited States
Mobile Ratings
BBB Rating

Rate Stability

Rate Adjusted
-0.10%
Since 90 days ago

Sallie Mae Bank

High-Yield Savings Account

3.90%
APY
Dec 10, 2025
FDIC InsuredNo Minimums
Show Fine Print & Trends
Min. Deposit$0
Min. Balance$0
Maintenance Fee$0
Compound FreqDaily
Direct DepositNot required
Deposit InsuranceFDIC Insured(Cert: 58177)
EligibilityUnited States
Mobile Ratings
BBB Rating

Rate Stability

Very StableNo rate changes in last 90 days

Market Reality Check

Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.25% APY.

See Top Rates

Discover Bank vs. Sallie Mae Bank Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for Online Savings Account and High-Yield Savings Account
$
$

Sallie Mae Bank earns $319.7 more than Discover Bank.

Discover Bank

Online Savings Account

3.40% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$2,050.50(10.2%)
  • Total Contributions
    $13,000
  • Initial Deposit
    $5,000

Projected Balance

$20,050.50

Effective APY
3.40%

Sallie Mae Bank

High-Yield Savings Account

3.90% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$2,370.20(11.6%)
  • Total Contributions
    $13,000
  • Initial Deposit
    $5,000

Projected Balance

$20,370.20

Effective APY
3.90%

The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Discover Bank vs. Sallie Mae Bank

Updated: Dec 10, 2025

Why Discover Bank?

  • Higher rated iOS app (4.9 vs 1.5)
  • Higher rated Android app (4.8 vs 1.6)

Why Sallie Mae Bank?

  • Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.40%) on all balances

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Sallie Mae Bank

Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $390 vs $340/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Sallie Mae Bank

Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $850/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Sallie Mae Bank

Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account offers 3.90% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Best Mobile App Experience
Discover Bank

Discover Bank offers an iOS app rated 4.9 (vs. 1.5) and Android app rated 4.8 (vs. 1.6)

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Both banks have options with $0 opening deposit Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line on APY (Interest Only)

Over a 1-year period, Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays $50 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Discover Bank's Online Savings Account.

*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.

Discover BankSallie Mae Bank
Automated Data Audit

Executive Summary

Sallie Mae Bank offers a High-Yield Savings Account with a competitive APY of 3.90%, making it the standout choice between the two banks. This account requires no minimum deposit, maintenance fees, or direct deposit, and is designed for simplicity. In comparison, Discover Bank provides an Online Savings Account with an APY of 3.40%. While both accounts are online-only and have similar features, Sallie Mae Bank's higher APY positions it as the winner for those seeking better returns on their savings.

Analysis generated based on current Banksparency database records

* AI-generated content provided for informational purposes only. Accuracy is not guaranteed; always verify details with the provider.

Top Market Contenders

See who beats both Discover Bank and Sallie Mae Bank.

Compare All High-Yield Savings Accounts
Pibank
Pibank Savings
FDIC InsuredNo Minimums
4.60% APY
+0.70% vs Sallie Mae Bank
Better Rate
Axos Bank
Axos ONE
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
4.31% APY
+0.41% vs Sallie Mae Bank
Better Rate
TIMBR
Premium Savings Account
FDIC InsuredLow Minimums
4.40% APY
+0.50% vs Sallie Mae Bank
Better Rate
FeatureDiscover BankSallie Mae Bank
APY
3.40%
Verified: 12/10/2025
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
3.90%
Verified: 12/10/2025
Stable (90d)
Product NameOnline Savings AccountHigh-Yield Savings Account
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$0
Monthly Fee$0$0
Branch AccessNoneNone
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android4.8
iOS1.5
Android1.6
BBB RatingA+A+
Next Steps

📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 11 Months Analysis
MetricDiscover BankSallie Mae Bank
Online Savings AccountHigh-Yield Savings Account
Current APY
3.40%3.90%
Trend
Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-3.7-0.1
Days Since Change
71313
11-Month High
3.75%4.00%
11-Month Low
3.40%3.90%
Adjustments / Mo
0.370.09
Volatility Score
0.0350.004
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)

Trends & Velocity

  • Trend: The general direction of the rate over the analyzed period. Useful for spotting if a bank is currently aggressive or pulling back.
  • Velocity (bps/mo): Speed of change. A high positive number means they raise rates quickly. 10 bps = 0.10%.
  • Adjustments/Mo: "Twitchiness." High frequency means the rate changes constantly; low frequency means it's stable.

Risk & Range

  • High/Low: The absolute ceiling and floor of the rate during the 322-day window.
  • Volatility Score: Lower is better for predictability. It indicates how wildly the rate swings relative to its average.
  • Days Since Change: If this number is high (e.g., >90), the rate is very sticky. If low, it changed recently.

More Comparisons

Compare Discover Bank's APY of 3.40% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Discover Bank vs Affirm3.60%$0
Discover Bank vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Discover Bank vs American Express3.40%$0
Discover Bank vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Discover Bank vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Discover Bank vs Barclays4.00%$0
Discover Bank vs Bask Bank3.90%$0
Discover Bank vs Betterment3.50%$10
Discover Bank vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Discover Bank vs Bread Savings4.10%$100
Discover Bank vs BrioDirect4.00%$5,000
Discover Bank vs Capital One3.40%$0
Discover Bank vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Discover Bank vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Discover Bank vs Chime3.50%$0
Discover Bank vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Discover Bank vs Citibank3.30%$0
Discover Bank vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
Discover Bank vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Discover Bank vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.75%$0
Discover Bank vs Elevault4.08%$0
Discover Bank vs EverBank4.05%$0
Discover Bank vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Discover Bank vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Discover Bank vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
Discover Bank vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Discover Bank vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Discover Bank vs Ivy Bank4.25%$2,500
Discover Bank vs LendingClub4.20%$0
Discover Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Discover Bank vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
Discover Bank vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Discover Bank vs Openbank4.20%$500
Discover Bank vs Peak Bank4.20%$100
Discover Bank vs Pibank4.60%$0
Discover Bank vs PNC3.53%$0
Discover Bank vs Presidential Bank4.00%$5,000
Discover Bank vs Quontic Bank3.75%$100
Discover Bank vs Salem Five Direct3.71%$10
Discover Bank vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Discover Bank vs SoFi Bank4.30%$0
Discover Bank vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
Discover Bank vs TD Bank2.75%$0
Discover Bank vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
Discover Bank vs UFB Direct3.71%$5000
Discover Bank vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Discover Bank vs Valley Direct4.10%$1,000
Discover Bank vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Discover Bank vs Vio Bank4.16%$100
Discover Bank vs Wealthfront4.15%$0
Discover Bank vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Discover Bank vs Zynlo Bank4.05%$10
Compare Sallie Mae Bank's APY of 3.90% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Sallie Mae Bank vs Affirm3.60%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs American Express3.40%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Sallie Mae Bank vs Barclays4.00%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Bask Bank3.90%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Betterment3.50%$10
Sallie Mae Bank vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Bread Savings4.10%$100
Sallie Mae Bank vs BrioDirect4.00%$5,000
Sallie Mae Bank vs Capital One3.40%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Chime3.50%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Sallie Mae Bank vs Citibank3.30%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
Sallie Mae Bank vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Sallie Mae Bank vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.75%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Elevault4.08%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs EverBank4.05%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Sallie Mae Bank vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Sallie Mae Bank vs Forbright Bank4.00%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Sallie Mae Bank vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Ivy Bank4.25%$2,500
Sallie Mae Bank vs LendingClub4.20%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Neighbors Bank4.30%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Sallie Mae Bank vs Openbank4.20%$500
Sallie Mae Bank vs Peak Bank4.20%$100
Sallie Mae Bank vs Pibank4.60%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs PNC3.53%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Presidential Bank4.00%$5,000
Sallie Mae Bank vs Quontic Bank3.75%$100
Sallie Mae Bank vs Salem Five Direct3.71%$10
Sallie Mae Bank vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Sallie Mae Bank vs SoFi Bank4.30%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Synchrony Bank3.65%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs TD Bank2.75%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs TIMBR4.40%$1,000
Sallie Mae Bank vs UFB Direct3.71%$5000
Sallie Mae Bank vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Valley Direct4.10%$1,000
Sallie Mae Bank vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Vio Bank4.16%$100
Sallie Mae Bank vs Wealthfront4.15%$0
Sallie Mae Bank vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Sallie Mae Bank vs Zynlo Bank4.05%$10