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High-Yield Savings Account Comparison

BMO Alto vs. Synchrony Bank

BMO Alto's 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
Newest reading September 4, 2026

The Bottom Line

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

Choose Synchrony Bank if getting the best rate matters most, you're an iPhone user (no iOS app for BMO Alto), or you're an Android user (no Android app for BMO Alto).

Comparison of BMO Alto vs Synchrony Bank savings accounts
Metric

BMO Alto

Savings Account

Sep 2, 2026

Synchrony Bank

High Yield Savings

Sep 4, 2026
APY3.00%3.30%
Earns in a year
$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 MinimumsDaily Compounding
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 the highest rates

Comparison Analysis

Comparing BMO Alto vs. Synchrony Bank

Newest reading:

Executive Summary

BMO Alto offers a High Yield Savings Account with a competitive APY of 3.00%, which is available online with no minimum balance or maintenance fees. In contrast, Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings Account outperforms with an APY of 3.30%, also requiring no minimum balance and offering similar terms. This higher APY translates to better returns, particularly noticeable at larger deposit amounts. Additionally, Synchrony Bank provides a superior mobile app experience, enhancing customer accessibility. Both accounts do not require direct deposit, making them flexible options for savers.

The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records

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

Why BMO Alto?

  • No checking account or direct deposit required

Why Synchrony Bank?

  • Higher potential APY (3.30% vs 3.00%) on all balances
  • Higher rated iOS app (4.8 vs 0.0)
  • Higher rated Android app (4.6 vs 0.0)

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).

Better Mobile App Experience
Synchrony Bank

Synchrony Bank offers an iOS app rated 4.8 (vs. 0.0) and Android app rated 4.6 (vs. 0.0)

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 BMO Alto's Savings Account.

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

BMO AltoSynchrony Bank
Verify At
BMO Alto

Non-sponsored link to official site

Verify At
Synchrony Bank

Non-sponsored link to official site

Top Market Contenders

BMO Alto vs. Synchrony Bank Savings Calculator

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

You earn $30 more with Synchrony Bank than BMO Alto 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.

BMO Alto

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
Every balance tier pays the same 3.30% APY.

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 at a large branch bank?

A typical branch-bank savings rate is 0.05% APY. On a $10,000 balance, the gap to these two banks is at least $295 a year in interest.

Both BMO Alto and Synchrony Bank advertise far more than that typical branch-bank rate.

0.05% APY at a typical branch bank, against 3.00%+ here
See the highest rates
FeatureBMO AltoSynchrony Bank
APY
3.00%
Observed: 9/2/2026
0.15%90-day change
3.30%
Observed: 9/4/2026
0.10%90-day change
Product NameSavings 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 BranchesNot reported2 (FL, UT)
Direct Deposit Req.NoneNone
Checking BundleNoNo
Mobile Apps
iOS-
Android-
iOS4.8
Android4.6
FDIC or NCUA Insured
Zelle® Support
Not Supported
Not Supported
BBB RatingA+Not 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 7 Months Analysis
MetricSynchrony Bank
High Yield Savings
Current APY
3.30%
Trend
Stable
Speed of change
-0.03
Days Since Change
78
7-Month High
3.50%
7-Month Low
3.30%
Changes per month
0.27
Steadiness
0.024
How to read these metrics(Click to expand)

Trends and speed

  • Trend: The general direction of the rate over the analyzed period. Useful for seeing whether a bank is raising its rate or letting it slip.
  • Speed of change: How fast the rate moves. A high positive number means they raise rates quickly. A reading of 0.10 is a tenth of a percentage point each month.
  • Changes per month: How often the rate moves. A high number means it changes constantly; a low number means it holds.

Risk & Range

  • High/Low: The absolute ceiling and floor of the rate during the 223-day window.
  • Steadiness: How far the rate swings around its average. A lower score means a steadier, more predictable rate.
  • Days Since Change: A high number, for example above 90, means the rate rarely moves. A low number means it changed recently.

More Comparisons

Compare BMO Alto's APY of 3.00% with other banks
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 American Express3.00%$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 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 Bank3.85%$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 Bank4.00%$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