PNC vs. Popular Direct
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
| Metric | PNCPNC High Yield Savings Jan 7, 2026 | Popular DirectPopular Direct Select Savings Jan 7, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% | 3.90% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$165 $10,000+$330 $25,000+$825 | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $100 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | Eligibility restricted to select states. | - |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® Supported | FDIC InsuredLow Minimums |
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 PNC vs. Popular Direct
As of PNC offers an APY of 3.30% for its PNC High Yield Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to Popular Direct's 3.90% APY for its Popular Direct Select Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.
Popular Direct pays $60 more than PNC on a $10,000 balance after one year. PNC pays $330, while Popular Direct pays $390 - an APY advantage for Popular Direct.
In addition, PNC also offers 0.03% APY for the Standard Savings account, with a minimum balance of $1.
Why PNC?
- ✓Physical branch access (Multiple branches in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI)
- ✓Higher rated iOS app (4.9 vs 1.3)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.6 vs 1.3)
- ✓Fast transfers via Zelle® (up to $2,000 a day)
Why Popular Direct?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.30%) on all balances
- ✓Available Nationwide
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Popular DirectPopular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $390 vs $330/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Popular DirectPopular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $825/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Popular DirectPopular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings offers 3.90% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Best Mobile App Experience
PNCPNC offers an iOS app rated 4.9 (vs. 1.3) and Android app rated 4.6 (vs. 1.3)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Popular Direct's Popular Direct Select Savings pays $60 more interest on a $10,000 balance than PNC's PNC High Yield Savings.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Executive Summary as of
Popular Direct offers a higher APY of 3.90% on its Popular Direct Select Savings account, making it the winner in this comparison. This account requires a minimum deposit of $100 and has no maintenance fees, and it is available online only. In contrast, PNC's High Yield Savings account provides a lower APY of 3.30%, with eligibility restricted to select states and no minimum deposit required. PNC also offers a Standard Savings account with a 0.03% APY, but it is significantly lower than Popular Direct's offering. Both banks do not require direct deposit for their savings accounts.
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
PNC vs. Popular Direct Savings Calculator
You earn $60 more with Popular Direct than PNC 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.
PNC
PNC High Yield Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$330.00(3.2%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,330.00
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 | PNC | Popular Direct |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.30% Verified: 1/7/2026 ↘︎ 0.55%90d Change | 3.90% Verified: 1/7/2026 ↘︎ 0.15%90d Change |
| Product Name | PNC High Yield Savings | Popular Direct Select Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0.01 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Branch Access | Yes | None |
| Account Type | Online & Branches | Online Only |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | iOS4.9 Android4.6 | iOS1.3 Android1.3 |
| Zelle® Support | Available Limit: $2,000/dayCentral to Virtual Wallet suite. | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Important Notes | Eligibility restricted to select states. | - |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at PNC 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 | PNC | Popular Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNC High Yield Savings | Standard Savings | Popular Direct Select Savings | |
Current APY | 3.30% | 0.03% | 3.90% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -5.6 | 0.2 | -1.3 |
Days Since Change | 21 | 251 | 23 |
10-Month High | 3.95% | 0.03% | 4.20% |
10-Month Low | 3.30% | 0.01% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.39 | 0.10 | 0.58 |
Volatility Score | 0.057 | 0.286 | 0.015 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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High Rates (With Checking Bundle)
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