High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

Synchrony Bank vs. Valley Direct

Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated January 21, 2026
Comparison of Synchrony Bank vs Valley Direct savings accounts
Metric

Synchrony Bank

High Yield Savings

Jan 21, 2026

Valley Direct

High-Yield Savings Account

Jan 21, 2026
APY3.65%3.40% - 4.00%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$183
$10,000+$365
$25,000+$912
$5,000+$200
$10,000+$400
$25,000+$1,000
Min Deposit
$0$1,000

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Terms
-Promo rate for new customers. 3.40% APY applies to existing customers.
Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android App
FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® Supported

Market Reality Check

Both of these banks offer rates below the current top tier. The best rates we track are currently above 4.20% APY.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing Synchrony Bank vs. Valley Direct

Updated: Jan 21, 2026

As of Synchrony Bank offers an APY of 3.65% for its High Yield Savings account, with a minimum balance of $0, compared to Valley Direct's 4.00% APY for its High-Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.

Valley Direct pays $35 more than Synchrony Bank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Synchrony Bank pays $365, while Valley Direct pays $400 - an APY advantage for Valley Direct.

Why Synchrony Bank?

  • Available to New & Existing Customers

Why Valley Direct?

  • Higher potential APY (4.00% vs 3.65%) on all balances
  • Fast transfers via Zelle®

— Key Feature Differences —

Better Returns at $10,000
Valley Direct

Valley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $400 vs $365/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Valley Direct

Valley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $1000 vs $912/yr).

Best for Simplicity
Valley Direct

Valley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account offers 4.00% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Available Nationwide
The Bottom Line on APY (Interest Only)PROMO DETECTED

Over a 1-year period (factoring in a 12-month promo), Valley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account pays $35 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings.

*Valley Direct's calculation includes their 12-month introductory promotional rate and subsequent standard rate.

Synchrony BankValley Direct

Executive Summary as of

Valley Direct offers a High-Yield Savings Account with a competitive APY of 4.00%, making it the winner in this comparison. This account is available to new customers, with a minimum deposit requirement of $1,000, while existing customers receive a lower rate of 3.40%. In contrast, Synchrony Bank provides a High Yield Savings account with an APY of 3.65% and no minimum deposit or balance requirements, but it is only available online. Both accounts have no maintenance fees and compound interest daily, but Valley Direct's higher APY makes it more attractive for those eligible.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.

Verify At
Synchrony Bank

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
Valley Direct

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

Synchrony Bank vs. Valley Direct Savings Calculator

Calculations based on current APY for High Yield Savings and High-Yield Savings Account
$
$

You earn $35 more with Valley Direct than Synchrony Bank 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.

Synchrony Bank

High Yield Savings

3.65% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$365.00(3.5%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,365.00

Effective APY
3.65%

Valley Direct

High-Yield Savings Account

4.00% APY

Promo Rate: 4.00% for 12 months, then 3.40%.

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$400.00(3.8%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,400.00

Effective APY
4.00%

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

FeatureSynchrony BankValley Direct
APY
3.65%
Verified: 1/21/2026
↘︎ 0.15%90d Change
4.00%
Range: 3.40% - 4.00%
Verified: 1/21/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
Product NameHigh Yield SavingsHigh-Yield Savings Account
Minimum Deposit$0$1,000
Min. Balance for APY$0$0.01
Monthly Fee$0$0
Branch AccessNoneYes
Account Type
Online Only
Online & Branches
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.8
Android4.5
iOS4.8
Android4.6
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Available
Allows Zelle directly on HYSA.
BBB RatingNot RatedA+
Important Notes-Promo rate for new customers. 3.40% APY applies to existing customers.
Next Steps
Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

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📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 12 Months Analysis
MetricSynchrony BankValley Direct
High Yield SavingsHigh-Yield Savings Account
Current APY
3.65%4.00%
Trend
Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-3.5-0.3
Days Since Change
6440
12-Month High
4.10%4.40%
12-Month Low
3.65%3.75%
Adjustments / Mo
0.250.66
Volatility Score
0.0360.043
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)

Trends & Velocity

  • Trend: The general direction of the rate over the analyzed period. Useful for spotting if a bank is currently aggressive or pulling back.
  • Velocity (bps/mo): Speed of change. A high positive number means they raise rates quickly. 10 bps = 0.10%.
  • Adjustments/Mo: "Twitchiness." High frequency means the rate changes constantly; low frequency means it's stable.

Risk & Range

  • High/Low: The absolute ceiling and floor of the rate during the 364-day window.
  • Volatility Score: Lower is better for predictability. It indicates how wildly the rate swings relative to its average.
  • Days Since Change: If this number is high (e.g., >90), the rate is very sticky. If low, it changed recently.

More Comparisons

Compare Synchrony Bank's APY of 3.65% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Synchrony Bank vs Affirm3.20%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Synchrony Bank vs American Express3.30%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Barclays4.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Betterment3.25%$10
Synchrony Bank vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Bread Savings4.00%$100
Synchrony Bank vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
Synchrony Bank vs Capital One3.30%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
Synchrony Bank vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Chime3.50%$0
Synchrony Bank vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Citibank3.30%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
Synchrony Bank vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Synchrony Bank vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
Synchrony Bank vs Discover Bank3.30%$0
Synchrony Bank vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Elevault3.82%$0
Synchrony Bank vs EverBank3.90%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Synchrony Bank vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Synchrony Bank vs Forbright Bank3.85%$0
Synchrony Bank vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Synchrony Bank vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Ivy Bank4.00%$2,500
Synchrony Bank vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
Synchrony Bank vs LendingClub4.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Synchrony Bank vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
Synchrony Bank vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
Synchrony Bank vs Neighbors Bank4.20%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Synchrony Bank vs Openbank4.20%$500
Synchrony Bank vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Pibank4.60%$0
Synchrony Bank vs PNC3.30%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
Synchrony Bank vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
Synchrony Bank vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Synchrony Bank vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs TD Bank2.36%$0
Synchrony Bank vs TIMBR4.15%$1,000
Synchrony Bank vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
Synchrony Bank vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Wealthfront3.90%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Synchrony Bank vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10
Compare Valley Direct's APY of 4.00% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Valley Direct vs Affirm3.20%$0
Valley Direct vs Ally Bank3.30%$0
Valley Direct vs American Express3.30%$0
Valley Direct vs Axos Bank4.31%$0
Valley Direct vs Bank of America0.01%$100
Valley Direct vs Barclays4.00%$0
Valley Direct vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
Valley Direct vs Betterment3.25%$10
Valley Direct vs BMO Alto3.25%$0
Valley Direct vs Bread Savings4.00%$100
Valley Direct vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
Valley Direct vs Capital One3.30%$0
Valley Direct vs Carver Bank4.00%$5,000
Valley Direct vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Valley Direct vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Valley Direct vs Chime3.50%$0
Valley Direct vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Valley Direct vs Citibank3.30%$0
Valley Direct vs Citizens Access™3.15%$0.01
Valley Direct vs Climate First Bank4.21%$50
Valley Direct vs Colorado Federal Savings Bank4.05%$50,000
Valley Direct vs Discover Bank3.30%$0
Valley Direct vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
Valley Direct vs Elevault3.82%$0
Valley Direct vs EverBank3.90%$0
Valley Direct vs Fitness Bank4.75%$100
Valley Direct vs FNBO Direct3.00%$1
Valley Direct vs Forbright Bank3.85%$0
Valley Direct vs FVCbank3.85%$500
Valley Direct vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Valley Direct vs Ivy Bank4.00%$2,500
Valley Direct vs Jenius Bank4.05%$0
Valley Direct vs LendingClub4.00%$0
Valley Direct vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.65%$0
Valley Direct vs MutualOne Bank4.07%$20,000
Valley Direct vs My Banking Direct4.02%$500
Valley Direct vs Neighbors Bank4.20%$0
Valley Direct vs Newtek Bank4.35%$0.01
Valley Direct vs Openbank4.20%$500
Valley Direct vs Peak Bank3.99%$100
Valley Direct vs Pibank4.60%$0
Valley Direct vs PNC3.30%$0
Valley Direct vs Popular Direct3.90%$100
Valley Direct vs Presidential Bank3.75%$5,000
Valley Direct vs Quontic Bank3.50%$100
Valley Direct vs Salem Five Direct3.61%$10
Valley Direct vs Sallie Mae Bank3.90%$0
Valley Direct vs Santander Bank0.01%$25
Valley Direct vs SoFi Bank4.00%$0
Valley Direct vs TD Bank2.36%$0
Valley Direct vs TIMBR4.15%$1,000
Valley Direct vs UFB Direct3.46%$5000
Valley Direct vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Valley Direct vs Varo Bank5.00%$0
Valley Direct vs Vio Bank4.09%$100
Valley Direct vs Wealthfront3.90%$0
Valley Direct vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Valley Direct vs Zynlo Bank3.85%$10