PNC vs. Upgrade
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
PNC
PNC High Yield Savings
3.53%APYDec 10, 2025FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessShow Fine Print & Trends Hide Details
PNC
PNC High Yield Savings
Upgrade
Premier Savings
3.05%APYDec 10, 2025FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppShow Fine Print & Trends Hide Details
Upgrade
Premier Savings
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.
PNC vs. Upgrade Savings Calculator
PNC earns $303.6 more than Upgrade.
PNC
PNC High Yield Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$2,133.20(10.6%)
- Total Contributions$13,000
- Initial Deposit$5,000
Projected Balance
$20,133.20
Upgrade
Premier Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$1,829.60(9.2%)
- Total Contributions$13,000
- Initial Deposit$5,000
Projected Balance
$19,829.60
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing PNC vs. Upgrade
Why PNC?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.53% vs 3.05%) on all balances
- ✓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)
Why Upgrade?
- ✓Available Nationwide
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
PNCPNC's PNC High Yield Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $353 vs $305/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
PNCPNC's PNC High Yield Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $883 vs $763/yr).
Best for Simplicity
PNCPNC's PNC High Yield Savings offers 3.53% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, PNC's PNC High Yield Savings pays $48 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Upgrade's Premier Savings.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Executive Summary
PNC offers a competitive PNC High Yield Savings account with an APY of 3.53%, which is significantly higher than Upgrade's Premier Savings account at 3.05%. PNC's account has no maintenance fees and does not require direct deposit, making it accessible to a wider audience, although eligibility is restricted to select states. In contrast, Upgrade's Premier Savings account is online-only and requires a minimum balance of $1,000. For those seeking simplicity and higher returns, PNC's offering stands out as the winner.
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.
Stop Losing Interest
See who beats both PNC and Upgrade.
| Feature | PNC | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.53% Verified: 12/10/2025 ↘︎ 0.42%90d Change | 3.05% Verified: 12/10/2025 ↘︎ 0.97%90d Change |
| Product Name | PNC High Yield Savings | Premier Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $1,000 |
| 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 | iOS4.9 Android4.5 |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Important Notes | Eligibility restricted to select states. | - |
| Next Steps |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | PNC | Upgrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNC High Yield Savings | Standard Savings | Premier Savings | |
Current APY | 3.53% | 0.03% | 3.05% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -3.7 | 0.2 | -12.0 |
Days Since Change | 28 | 224 | 40 |
9-Month High | 3.95% | 0.03% | 4.14% |
9-Month Low | 3.53% | 0.01% | 3.05% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.32 | 0.11 | 0.32 |
Volatility Score | 0.038 | 0.308 | 0.107 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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