Valley Direct vs. Varo Bank
Compare rates, requirements, and features side-by-side to find the best option for you.
| Metric | Valley DirectHigh-Yield Savings Account Jan 21, 2026 | Varo BankHigh-Yield Savings Account Jan 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.40% - 4.00% | 2.50% - 5.00% |
Est. Earnings | $5,000+$200 $10,000+$400 $25,000+$1,000 | $5,000+$250 $10,000+$375 $25,000+$750 |
Min Deposit | $1,000 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | Promo rate for new customers. 3.40% APY applies to existing customers. | Earn 5.00% APY on up to $5,000 and 2.50% APY on the rest. A Varo bank account & direct deposit required. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredLow MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppIn-Person AccessZelle® Supported | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDirect Deposit ReqChecking Bundle |
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Valley Direct vs. Varo Bank
As of Valley Direct offers an APY of 4.00% for its High-Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0.01, compared to Varo Bank's 5.00% APY for its High-Yield Savings Account, with a minimum balance of $0.01.
Valley Direct pays $25 more than Varo Bank on a $10,000 balance after one year. Valley Direct pays $400, while Varo Bank pays $375 (with an effective APY of 3.75%) - an APY advantage for Valley Direct.
Why Valley Direct?
- ✓No checking account or direct deposit required
Why Varo Bank?
- ✓Higher potential APY (5.00% vs 4.00%) on balances up to $5,000 (requires checking bundle & direct deposit)
- ✓Available to New & Existing Customers
— Key Feature Differences —
Better Returns at $10,000
Valley DirectValley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $400 vs $375/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Valley DirectValley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $1000 vs $750/yr).
Best for Simplicity
Valley DirectValley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account offers 4.00% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period (factoring in a 12-month promo), Valley Direct's High-Yield Savings Account pays $25 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Varo Bank's High-Yield Savings Account.
*Valley Direct's calculation includes their 12-month introductory promotional rate and subsequent standard rate.
Executive Summary as of
Varo Bank offers a High-Yield Savings Account with a competitive 5.00% APY on balances up to $5,000, making it the clear winner in this comparison. However, this account requires a Varo bank account and a minimum direct deposit of $1,000 per month. In contrast, Valley Direct provides a High-Yield Savings Account with a 4.00% APY, available to new customers without any direct deposit requirement or maintenance fees, although existing customers receive a lower rate of 3.40%. Both accounts have no maintenance fees and allow for daily compounding.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Valley Direct vs. Varo Bank Savings Calculator
You earn $25 more with Valley Direct than Varo 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.
Valley Direct
High-Yield Savings Account
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
Varo Bank
High-Yield Savings Account
5.00% on first $5,000 and 2.50% thereafter.
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$375.00(3.6%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,375.00
The Banksparency Savings Calculator provides estimated savings growth based on user input and our latest data.
| Feature | Valley Direct | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 4.00% Range: 3.40% - 4.00% Verified: 1/21/2026 ↘︎ 0.10%90d Change | 5.00% Range: 2.50% - 5.00% Verified: 1/21/2026 Stable (90d) |
| Product Name | High-Yield Savings Account | High-Yield Savings Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $1,000 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0.01 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Branch Access | Yes | None |
| Account Type | Online & Branches | Online Only |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | RequiredMin. $1,000/month |
| Checking Bundle | No | Yes |
| Mobile Apps | iOS4.8 Android4.6 | iOS4.9 Android4.6 |
| Zelle® Support | Available Allows Zelle directly on HYSA. | Available Requires history of qualifying direct deposits. |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A |
| Important Notes | Promo rate for new customers. 3.40% APY applies to existing customers. | Earn 5.00% APY on up to $5,000 and 2.50% APY on the rest. A Varo bank account & direct deposit required. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Valley Direct Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Varo Bank Non-sponsored link to official site |
📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Valley Direct | Varo Bank |
|---|---|---|
| High-Yield Savings Account | High-Yield Savings Account | |
Current APY | 4.00% | 5.00% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Velocity (bps/mo) | -0.2 | 0.0 |
Days Since Change | 40 | 365 |
12-Month High | 4.40% | 5.00% |
12-Month Low | 3.75% | 5.00% |
Adjustments / Mo | 0.66 | 0.00 |
Volatility Score | 0.044 | 0.000 |
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)
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