Santander Bank vs Synchrony Bank
High-Yield Savings Accounts Comparison

Last Updated: September 5, 2025

We earn a commission if you open an account through some links on this page.

Summary of Santander Bank vs. Synchrony Bank

As of September 5, 2025 Santander Bank offers an APY of 0.03% for its Santander Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to Synchrony Bank's 3.80% APY for its High Yield Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0.

Synchrony Bank yields $377 more than Santander Bank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Santander Bank pays $3, while Synchrony Bank pays $380 - an APY advantage for Synchrony Bank.

Santander Bank

Strengths

  • Santander Bank has a strong App Store rating of 4.8.
  • Santander Bank has physical branches primarily in the Northeast and Miami.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Santander Bank's APY is only 0.03%, significantly lower than Synchrony Bank.
  • Santander Bank charges a $1 maintenance fee.

Synchrony Bank

Strengths

  • Synchrony Bank offers a high APY of 3.80%, unchanged from 30 days ago.
  • Synchrony Bank has no maintenance fees.

Potential Drawbacks

  • Synchrony Bank does not have physical branches.
Summary: Santander Bank offers a low APY of 0.03% with a $1 maintenance fee, but has physical branches and a strong App Store rating. In contrast, Synchrony Bank provides a competitive APY of 3.80% with no fees, but lacks physical locations. Customers may prefer Synchrony for higher interest earnings, while those valuing branch access may choose Santander.

Compare Santander Bank's vs Synchrony Bank's Savings Accounts

Santander BankSynchrony Bank
ProductSantander SavingsvsHigh Yield Savings
APY
0.03% (as of 9/5/2025)3.80% (as of 9/5/2025)
Bundled Account
NoNo
FDIC-insured
YesYes
Online OnlyNoYes
Compound Frequency
DailyDaily
Minimum Deposit$25$0
Minimum Balance for APY$0$0
Maintenance Fee$1$0
Direct Deposit Required
NoNo
App Store Rating4.8/54.8/5
Google Play Rating4.3/54.5/5
BBB RatingA-Not Rated

Comparative Historical APY Insights (Last 7 Months)

Santander BankSynchrony Bank
ProductSantander SavingsvsHigh Yield Savings
Latest APY0.03 %3.80 %
TrendSidewaysSideways
Slope (bps/mo)0.0-4.3
Rate Changes / Mo0.000.27
Days Since Last Change22694
High (-7 m)0.03 %4.10 %
Low (-7 m)0.03 %3.80 %
Draw-down from High0.0 %-7.3 %
Volatility (CV)0.0000.027
APY Insights Glossary
Latest APY
Most recent advertised annual-percentage yield.
Trend
Direction over the last 7 months (regression slope).
Slope (bps/mo)
Average monthly change; 10 bps = 0.10 pp.
Rate Changes / Mo
Typical number of APY moves per month.
Days Since Last Change
Recency of the latest APY adjustment.
High (-7 m)
Highest APY in the last 226 days.
Low (-7 m)
Lowest APY in the last 226 days.
Draw-down from High
How far today sits below the 7-month peak.
Volatility (CV)
Coefficient of variation = stdev ÷ mean.
Why Track Savings-Account APYs?
  • See how quickly a bank reacts to Fed moves or competition.
  • Gauge “twitchiness” - frequent moves can annoy savers.
  • Spot if you're buying near a peak (draw-down) or riding a rise.
  • Slope (bps/mo) shows speed of change.
  • Volatility (CV) scales jumps by average level.

Calculate Savings Growth for Santander Bank vs Synchrony Bank

All calculations are based on APY.

Santander Bank

APY: 0.03%

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $17.2 (0.10%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (72.15%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (27.75%)

Your total balance

$18,017.20

Effective APY: 0.03% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $18,017.2

Earnings: $17.2

Bank Overview

Synchrony Bank

APY: 3.80%

Total savings breakdown:

  • Interest earned: $2,305.9 (11.36%)
  • Total contributions: $13,000 (64.02%)
  • Initial deposit: $5,000 (24.62%)

Your total balance

$20,305.90

Effective APY: 3.80% (based on your deposit and contributions)

Total balance: $20,305.9

Earnings: $2,305.9

Bank Overview

With a $5,000 initial deposit and $13,000 in total contributions over 5 years, Santander Bank's total earnings would be $2,288.7 lower than Synchrony Bank's total earnings.

The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.

More Comparisons

Compare Santander Bank's APY of 0.03% with other banks
Compare Synchrony Bank's APY of 3.80% with other banks