Newtek Bank vs. Popular Direct
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
| Metric | Newtek BankPersonal High Yield Savings Jan 7, 2026 | Popular DirectPopular Direct Select Savings Jan 7, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 4.35% | 3.90% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$217 $10,000+$435 $25,000+$1,088 | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 |
Min Deposit | $0.01 | $100 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App | FDIC InsuredLow Minimums |
Prefer In-Person Banking?
Both of these banks are online-only. If you need physical branch access, check out our list of high-yield accounts with brick-and-mortar locations.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Newtek Bank vs. Popular Direct
As of Newtek Bank offers an APY of 4.35% for its Personal High Yield Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01, compared to Popular Direct's 3.90% APY for its Popular Direct Select Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.
Newtek Bank pays $45 more than Popular Direct on a $10,000 balance after one year. Newtek Bank pays $435, while Popular Direct pays $390 - an APY advantage for Newtek Bank.
Why Newtek Bank?
- ✓Higher potential APY (4.35% vs 3.90%) on all balances
- ✓Higher rated iOS app (4.5 vs 1.3)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.1 vs 1.3)
Why Popular Direct?
No distinct advantages found vs Newtek Bank.
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Newtek BankNewtek Bank's Personal High Yield Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $435 vs $390/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Newtek BankNewtek Bank's Personal High Yield Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $1088 vs $975/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Newtek BankNewtek Bank's Personal High Yield Savings offers 4.35% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Best Mobile App Experience
Newtek BankNewtek Bank offers an iOS app rated 4.5 (vs. 1.3) and Android app rated 4.1 (vs. 1.3)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Newtek Bank's Personal High Yield Savings pays $45 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Popular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Executive Summary as of
Newtek Bank offers a competitive Personal High Yield Savings account with a notable APY of 4.35%, making it the clear winner compared to Popular Direct's Select Savings account, which has an APY of 3.90%. Newtek Bank's account stands out for its simplicity, requiring no direct deposit and having no maintenance fees, while also allowing a minimum deposit of just $0.01. In contrast, Popular Direct requires a minimum deposit of $100 but also has no maintenance fees. Both banks operate online only and provide FDIC insurance.
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
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Newtek Bank vs. Popular Direct Savings Calculator
You earn $45 more with Newtek Bank than Popular Direct 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.
Newtek Bank
Personal High Yield Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$435.00(4.2%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,435.00
Popular Direct
Popular Direct Select Savings
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.
| Feature | Newtek Bank | Popular Direct |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 4.35% Verified: 1/7/2026 Stable (90d) | 3.90% Verified: 1/7/2026 ↘︎ 0.15%90d Change |
| Product Name | Personal High Yield Savings | Popular Direct Select Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0.01 | $100 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0.01 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | iOS4.5 Android4.1 | iOS1.3 Android1.3 |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Newtek Bank Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Popular Direct Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Newtek Bank | Popular Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Personal High Yield Savings | Popular Direct Select Savings | |
Current APY | 4.35% | 3.90% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -1.4 | -3.1 |
Days Since Change | 271 | 23 |
12-Month High | 4.70% | 4.60% |
12-Month Low | 4.35% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.25 | 0.82 |
Volatility Score | 0.017 | 0.036 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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