Citizens Access™ vs. SoFi Bank
Citizens Access™'s Citizens Access® Savings pays 2.80% APY while SoFi Bank's SoFi Savings pays 4.00% APY.
Note: SoFi Bank's SoFi Savings also needs a checking account.
See how they compare on rate stability, mobile app ratings, and more below.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? SoFi Bank pays $75 more than Citizens Access™ annually ($355 vs $280).
Choose Citizens Access™ if you want a no-strings-attached account, or you're an Android user. Choose SoFi Bank if getting the best rate matters most, or you want Zelle for quick transfers.
Important Considerations
SoFi Bank's SoFi Savings pays its top rate only if you also open a checking account with SoFi Bank, while Citizens Access™'s Citizens Access® Savings stands alone.
| Metric | Citizens Access™Citizens Access® Savings Sep 9, 2026 | SoFi BankSoFi Savings Sep 11, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 2.80% | 3.10% - 4.00% |
Earns in a year | $5,000+$140 $10,000+$280 $25,000+$700 | $5,000+$178 $10,000+$355 $25,000+$888 |
Min. Deposit | $0.01 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | - | Limited offer: The stated APY includes a temporary 0.70% APY boost for 6 months. It is available with a direct deposit of regular income, or a $10/month subscription. See terms at SoFi Bank. The savings account comes bundled with an interest-bearing checking account. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppZelle® SupportedDirect Deposit ReqChecking BundleDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often |
Prefer In-Person Banking?
Both of these institutions are online-only. If you need in-branch access, check out our list of savings accounts with brick-and-mortar locations.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Citizens Access™ vs. SoFi Bank
Executive Summary
SoFi Bank offers a competitive APY of 4.00% on its SoFi Savings account, which is available with a direct deposit or qualifying deposits, making it the winner in this comparison. This account also includes a bundled interest-bearing checking account, enhancing its appeal for those seeking an all-in-one banking solution. Citizens Access™ provides a solid alternative with a 2.80% APY on its Citizens Access® Savings account, which does not require direct deposit and has no maintenance fees. Both accounts are online-only and nationally available, catering to different banking needs.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why Citizens Access™?
- No checking account or direct deposit required
- Higher rated Android app (4.8 vs 3.8)
Why SoFi Bank?
- Earn a $50 bonus with $1,000+ in direct deposits, or $300 with $5,000+.
- Higher potential APY (4.00% vs 2.80%) on all balances
- Fast transfers via Zelle®
Key Feature Differences
Better Returns at $10,000
SoFi BankSoFi Bank's SoFi Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $355 vs $280/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
SoFi BankSoFi Bank's SoFi Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $888 vs $700/yr).
Better for All-in-One Banking
SoFi BankSoFi Bank's SoFi Savings pays a superior APY for customers who also open a checking account.
Better Mobile App Experience
Citizens Access™Citizens Access™ offers an iOS app rated 4.9 (vs. 4.7) and Android app rated 4.8 (vs. 3.8)
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period (factoring in a 6-month promo), SoFi Bank's SoFi Savings pays $75 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Citizens Access™'s Citizens Access® Savings.
*SoFi Bank's calculation includes their 6-month introductory promotional rate and subsequent standard rate.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Citizens Access™ vs. SoFi Bank Savings Calculator
You earn $74.9 more with SoFi Bank than Citizens Access™ 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.
Citizens Access™
Citizens Access® Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$280.00(2.7%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,280.00
SoFi Bank
SoFi Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$354.90(3.4%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,354.90
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 $275 a year in interest.
Both Citizens Access™ and SoFi Bank advertise far more than that typical branch-bank rate.
| Feature | Citizens Access™ | SoFi Bank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 2.80% Observed: 9/9/2026 0.20%90-day change | 4.00% Range: 3.10% - 4.00% Observed: 9/11/2026 0.20%90-day change |
| Product Name | Citizens Access® Savings | SoFi Savings |
| Minimum Deposit | $0.01 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0.01 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| In-Branch Access | No | No |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | Not reported | 4 (CA, UT) |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | Required |
| Checking Bundle | No | Yes |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC or NCUA Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Available Native support added in 2024 for banking members. |
| BBB Rating | A+ | A+ |
| Important Notes | - | Limited offer: The stated APY includes a temporary 0.70% APY boost for 6 months. It is available with a direct deposit of regular income, or a $10/month subscription. See terms at SoFi Bank. The savings account comes bundled with an interest-bearing checking account. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Citizens Access™ Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at SoFi Bank Non-sponsored link to official site |
Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Citizens Access™ | SoFi Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens Access® Savings | SoFi Savings | |
Current APY | 2.80% | 4.00% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Speed of change | -0.08 | -0.08 |
Days Since Change | 41 | 7 |
12-Month High | 3.50% | 4.50% |
12-Month Low | 2.80% | 3.80% |
Changes per month | 0.33 | 0.33 |
Steadiness | 0.049 | 0.049 |
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 364-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.
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Compare Citizens Access™'s APY of 2.80% with other banks
| Bank Pair | Competitor APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens Access™ vs Ally Bank | 3.00% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs American Express | 3.00% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Axos Bank | 4.21% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Barclays | 3.65% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Capital One | 3.50% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Chime | 3.75% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs CIT Bank | 3.75% | $100 |
| Citizens Access™ vs EverBank | 3.90% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 3.40% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Newtek Bank | 4.20% | $100 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Openbank | 3.80% | $500 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Pibank | 4.10% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Synchrony Bank | 3.30% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Varo Bank | 3.75% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |