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High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

American Express vs. Synchrony Bank

American Express's High Yield Savings Account pays 3.00% APY while Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings pays 3.30% APY.

See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.

Analysis by Aviel Fahl
Updated August 21, 2026

The Bottom Line

Who pays more interest on $10,000? Synchrony Bank pays $30 more than American Express annually ($330 vs $300).

Choose American Express if you want Zelle for quick transfers. Choose Synchrony Bank if getting the best rate matters most, or you're an Android user.

Comparison of American Express vs Synchrony Bank savings accounts
Metric

American Express

High Yield Savings Account

Aug 21, 2026

Synchrony Bank

High Yield Savings

Aug 21, 2026
APY3.00%3.30%
Est. Earnings
$5,000+$150
$10,000+$300
$25,000+$750
$5,000+$165
$10,000+$330
$25,000+$825
Min Deposit
$0$0

Snapshot view. Rates subject to change.

Features
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppZelle® SupportedDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often
FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often

Market Reality Check

Both of these institutions offer rates below the top 10 savings and money market accounts we track. Those institutions all pay at least 4.01% APY.

See Top Rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing American Express vs. Synchrony Bank

Updated: Invalid Date

Executive Summary

A detailed summary for this comparison is being prepared. Check back soon.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

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

Why American Express?

  • No checking account or direct deposit required
  • Fast transfers via Zelle®

Why Synchrony Bank?

  • Higher potential APY (3.30% vs 3.00%) on all balances
  • Higher rated Android app (4.5 vs 3.6)

Key Feature Differences

Better Returns at $10,000
Synchrony Bank

Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $330 vs $300/yr).

Better Returns at $25,000
Synchrony Bank

Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $825 vs $750/yr).

Shared Benefits

Both offer monthly maintenance-free account options Both banks have options with $0 opening deposit Available Nationwide Available to New & Existing Customers
The Bottom Line on APY (Interest Only)

Over a 1-year period, Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings pays $30 more interest on a $10,000 balance than American Express's High Yield Savings Account.

*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.

American ExpressSynchrony Bank
Verify At
American Express

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
Synchrony Bank

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

American Express vs. Synchrony Bank Savings Calculator

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

You earn $30 more with Synchrony Bank than American Express 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.

American Express

High Yield Savings Account

3.00% APY

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$300.00(2.9%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,300.00

Effective APY
3.00%

Synchrony Bank

High Yield Savings

3.30% APY
ℹ️Tiered rates: 3.30% ($0.01 - $4,999) | 3.30% ($4,999.01 - $24,999) | 3.30% ($24,999.01+)

Savings Breakdown

  • Interest Earned
    +$330.00(3.2%)
  • Total Contributions
    $0
  • Initial Deposit
    $10,000

Projected Balance

$10,330.00

Effective APY
3.30%

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 $299 per year in interest.

Both American Express and Synchrony Bank dramatically outperform the typical 0.01% APY at traditional big banks.

Big banks currently pay 0.01% APY on savings vs 3.00%+ here
See Top Rates
FeatureAmerican ExpressSynchrony Bank
APY
3.00%
Verified: 8/21/2026
↘︎ 0.10%90d Change
3.30%
Verified: 8/21/2026
-
Product NameHigh Yield Savings AccountHigh Yield Savings
Minimum Deposit$0$0
Min. Balance for APY$0$0
Monthly Fee$0$0
Compound FrequencyDailyDaily
In-Branch AccessNoNo
Account Type
Online Only
Online Only
Physical BranchesNoneN/A
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS4.9
Android3.6
iOS4.8
Android4.5
FDIC or NCUA Insured
Zelle® Support
Available
Requires Amex Rewards Checking; not available for standalone HYSA.
Not Supported
BBB RatingFNot Rated
Next Steps
Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

Visit Site

Non-sponsored link to official site

📈 Compare Savings Rates Over Time

Historical Performance

Last 12 Months Analysis
MetricAmerican ExpressSynchrony Bank
High Yield Savings AccountHigh Yield Savings
Current APY
3.00%3.30%
Trend
Stable Stable
Velocity (bps/mo)
-4.9-4.9
Days Since Change
4264
12-Month High
3.50%3.80%
12-Month Low
3.00%3.30%
Adjustments / Mo
0.410.33
Volatility Score
0.0290.027
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 363-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 American Express' APY of 3.00% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
American Express vs Affirm3.20%$0
American Express vs Ally Bank3.00%$0
American Express vs Axos Bank4.21%$0
American Express vs Bank of America0.04%$100
American Express vs Barclays3.65%$0
American Express vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
American Express vs Betterment4.00%$0
American Express vs BMO Alto3.00%$0
American Express vs Bread Savings3.95%$100
American Express vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
American Express vs Capital One3.50%$0
American Express vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
American Express vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
American Express vs Chime3.75%$0
American Express vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
American Express vs Citibank2.80%$0
American Express vs Citizens Access™2.80%$0.01
American Express vs Climate First Bank4.01%$50
American Express vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
American Express vs Elevault4.34%$0
American Express vs EverBank3.90%$0
American Express vs Fitness Bank4.05%$100
American Express vs FNBO Direct3.00%$0
American Express vs Forbright Bank4.15%$0
American Express vs GO2bank4.50%$0
American Express vs Happen Bank4.00%$0
American Express vs Ivy Bank3.85%$2,500
American Express vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.40%$0
American Express vs Neighbors Bank4.10%$0
American Express vs Newtek Bank4.20%$100
American Express vs Openbank3.80%$500
American Express vs Peak Bank4.01%$100
American Express vs Pibank4.10%$0
American Express vs PNC3.15%$0
American Express vs SoFi Bank3.80%$0
American Express vs TD Bank2.50%$0
American Express vs UFB Direct3.46%$5,000
American Express vs Upgrade3.05%$0
American Express vs Varo Bank3.75%$0
American Express vs Wealthfront3.95%$0
American Express vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25
Compare Synchrony Bank's APY of 3.30% with other banks
Bank PairCompetitor APYMin Deposit
Synchrony Bank vs Affirm3.20%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Ally Bank3.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Axos Bank4.21%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Bank of America0.04%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Barclays3.65%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Bask Bank3.75%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Betterment4.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs BMO Alto3.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Bread Savings3.95%$100
Synchrony Bank vs BrioDirect3.75%$5,000
Synchrony Bank vs Capital One3.50%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Charles Schwab Bank0.15%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Chase Bank0.01%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Chime3.75%$0
Synchrony Bank vs CIT Bank3.75%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Citibank2.80%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Citizens Access™2.80%$0.01
Synchrony Bank vs Climate First Bank4.01%$50
Synchrony Bank vs E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley3.50%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Elevault4.34%$0
Synchrony Bank vs EverBank3.90%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Fitness Bank4.05%$100
Synchrony Bank vs FNBO Direct3.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Forbright Bank4.15%$0
Synchrony Bank vs GO2bank4.50%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Happen Bank4.00%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Ivy Bank3.85%$2,500
Synchrony Bank vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs3.40%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Neighbors Bank4.10%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Newtek Bank4.20%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Openbank3.80%$500
Synchrony Bank vs Peak Bank4.01%$100
Synchrony Bank vs Pibank4.10%$0
Synchrony Bank vs PNC3.15%$0
Synchrony Bank vs SoFi Bank3.80%$0
Synchrony Bank vs TD Bank2.50%$0
Synchrony Bank vs UFB Direct3.46%$5,000
Synchrony Bank vs Upgrade3.05%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Varo Bank3.75%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Wealthfront3.95%$0
Synchrony Bank vs Wells Fargo0.05%$25