Sallie Mae Bank vs. Wealthfront
Comparing Sallie Mae Bank and Wealthfront for high-yield savings: Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays 3.90% APY while Wealthfront's Cash Account pays 3.95% APY (including a 3-month 0.65% promo boost).
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Sallie Mae Bank pays $44 more than Wealthfront annually ($390 vs $346).
Choose Sallie Mae Bank if getting the best rate matters most, you want a no-strings-attached account, you want to avoid a promo rate with a scheduled drop, or BBB rating matters to you. Choose Wealthfront if mobile app quality matters.
Important Considerations
The key difference? Wealthfront's 3.95% rate includes a promotional bonus for the first 3 months, after which it reverts to the standard rate (currently 3.30%). Sallie Mae Bank's 3.90% rate has no scheduled drop, though all rates are subject to change.
| Metric | Sallie Mae BankHigh-Yield Savings Account Feb 6, 2026 | WealthfrontCash Account Feb 6, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.90% | 3.30% - 3.95% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$195 $10,000+$390 $25,000+$975 | $5,000+$173 $10,000+$346 $25,000+$866 |
Min Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | - | Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get an APY of 3.95% for 3 months, after which the 3.30% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsDaily CompoundingStable Rate | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often |
Market Reality Check
Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.15% APY.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Sallie Mae Bank vs. Wealthfront
Executive Summary
Sallie Mae Bank offers a High-Yield Savings Account with an APY of 3.90%, which provides competitive returns on deposits, especially at higher amounts. In comparison, Wealthfront's Cash Account initially offers a promotional APY of 3.95% for the first three months, after which the rate drops to 3.30%. Both accounts require no minimum deposit or maintenance fees and are online-only. While Wealthfront's initial rate is slightly higher, it is temporary, making Sallie Mae Bank's offering more stable for long-term savings. Both accounts do not require direct deposit.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Sallie Mae Bank?
No distinct advantages found vs Wealthfront.
Why Wealthfront?
- ✓Higher rated iOS app (4.8 vs 1.5)
- ✓Higher rated Android app (4.9 vs 1.6)
— 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 $346/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Sallie Mae BankSallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $975 vs $866/yr).
Best Mobile App Experience
WealthfrontWealthfront offers an iOS app rated 4.8 (vs. 1.5) and Android app rated 4.9 (vs. 1.6)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Sallie Mae Bank's High-Yield Savings Account pays $44 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Wealthfront's Cash Account.
*This comparison accounts for Wealthfront's introductory promotional rate, yet Sallie Mae Bank's standard rate still yields a higher 1-year return.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Sallie Mae Bank vs. Wealthfront Savings Calculator
You earn $42.5 more with Sallie Mae Bank than Wealthfront 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.
Sallie Mae Bank
High-Yield Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$390.00(3.8%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,390.00
Wealthfront
Cash Account
Promo Rate: 3.95% for 3 months, then 3.30%.
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$347.50(3.4%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,347.50
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
Still banking with Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo?
On a $10,000 balance, you're missing out on at least $345 per year in interest.
Both Sallie Mae Bank and Wealthfront dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.
| Feature | Sallie Mae Bank | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.90% Verified: 2/6/2026 Stable (90d) | 3.95% Range: 3.30% - 3.95% Verified: 2/6/2026 - |
| Product Name | High-Yield Savings Account | Cash Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| Branch Access | None | None |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | N/A | None |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC Insured | YesVerify FDIC | Yes |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | F |
| Important Notes | - | Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get an APY of 3.95% for 3 months, after which the 3.30% APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Sallie Mae Bank Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Wealthfront Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Sallie Mae Bank | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| High-Yield Savings Account | Cash Account | |
Current APY | 3.90% | 3.95% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -0.0 | -11.9 |
Days Since Change | 85 | 7 |
3-Month High | 3.90% | 4.15% |
3-Month Low | 3.90% | 3.90% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.00 | 0.71 |
Volatility Score | 0.000 | 0.030 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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More Comparisons
Compare Sallie Mae Bank's APY of 3.90% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Ally Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs American Express | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Bank of America | 0.01% | $100 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Barclays | 4.00% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Capital One | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Chase Bank | 0.01% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Chime | 3.00% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Citibank | 3.20% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Discover Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.65% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $0.01 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Openbank | 4.09% | $500 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Pibank | 4.60% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs SoFi Bank | 4.00% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Synchrony Bank | 3.50% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Varo Bank | 5.00% | $0 |
| Sallie Mae Bank vs Wells Fargo | 0.05% | $25 |