Sallie Mae Bank vs. UFB Direct
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
Sallie Mae Bank
High-Yield Savings Account
3.90%APYDec 10, 2025FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsShow Fine Print & Trends Hide Details
Sallie Mae Bank
High-Yield Savings Account
UFB Direct
UFB Checking and Savings Bundle
Up to3.71%APYDec 10, 2025FDIC InsuredHigh MinimumDirect Deposit ReqChecking BundleGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppRange: 3.51% – 3.71%Show Fine Print & Trends Hide Details
UFB Direct
UFB Checking and Savings Bundle
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.
Sallie Mae Bank vs. UFB Direct Savings Calculator
Sallie Mae Bank earns $151.5 more than UFB Direct.
Sallie Mae Bank
High-Yield Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$2,370.20(11.6%)
- Total Contributions$13,000
- Initial Deposit$5,000
Projected Balance
$20,370.20
UFB Direct
UFB Checking and Savings Bundle
Higher APY requires $10,000
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$2,218.70(11.0%)
- Total Contributions$13,000
- Initial Deposit$5,000
Projected Balance
$20,218.70
Sponsored Link
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Sallie Mae Bank vs. UFB Direct
Why Sallie Mae Bank?
- ✓Higher potential APY (3.90% vs 3.51%-3.71%) on all balances
Why UFB Direct?
- ✓Offers 2.00% APY on Checking Account in addition to the savings APY
- ✓Access to over 90,000 fee-free ATMs
- ✓Higher rated iOS app (4.8 vs 1.5)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.3 vs 1.6)
- ✓Offers 2 different high-yield savings options
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Sallie Mae BankSallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $390 vs $371/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Sallie Mae BankSallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $928/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Sallie Mae BankSallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account offers 3.90% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Best Mobile App Experience
UFB DirectUFB Direct offers an iOS app rated 4.8 (vs. 1.5) and Android app rated 4.3 (vs. 1.6)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays $19 more interest on a $10,000 balance than UFB Direct's UFB Checking and Savings Bundle.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Executive Summary
Sallie Mae Bank offers a High-Yield Savings Account with a competitive APY of 3.90%, which is higher than UFB Direct's UFB Portfolio Savings at 3.51%. Sallie Mae's account requires no minimum deposit, maintenance fees, or direct deposit, making it a simple choice for savers. UFB Direct does provide an alternative with its UFB Checking and Savings Bundle, which can yield up to 3.71% APY but requires a checking account and specific conditions to achieve this rate. Both banks operate online only and are FDIC insured.
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 Sallie Mae Bank and UFB Direct.
| Feature | Sallie Mae Bank | UFB Direct |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.90% Verified: 12/10/2025 Stable (90d) | 3.71% Range: 3.51% - 3.71% Verified: 12/10/2025 ↘︎ 0.50%90d Change |
| Product Name | High-Yield Savings Account | UFB Checking and Savings Bundle |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $5000 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $10,000 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | Required |
| Checking Bundle | No | Yes |
| Mobile Apps | iOS1.5 Android1.6 | iOS4.8 Android4.3 |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Important Notes | - | The regular savings or money market APY may be boosted up to 3.71% by direct deposits, minimum balance of $10,000 and making 10 approved debit card transactions per statement cycle. The checking account earns 2% APY. See bank for full details. |
| Next Steps | SponsoredOpen Account |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Sallie Mae Bank | UFB Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-Yield Savings Account | UFB Checking and Savings Bundle | UFB Portfolio Savings | |
Current APY | 3.90% | 3.71% | 3.51% |
Trend | Stable | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -0.1 | -5.2 | -4.6 |
Days Since Change | 313 | 41 | 41 |
11-Month High | 4.00% | 4.21% | 4.01% |
11-Month Low | 3.90% | 3.71% | 3.51% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.09 | 0.28 | 0.28 |
Volatility Score | 0.004 | 0.048 | 0.049 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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