Citizens Access™ vs. Synchrony Bank
Citizens Access™'s Citizens Access® Savings pays 2.80% 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.
The Bottom Line
Who pays more interest on $10,000? Synchrony Bank pays $50 more than Citizens Access™ annually ($330 vs $280).
Choose Synchrony Bank if getting the best rate matters most.
| Metric | Citizens Access™Citizens Access® Savings Sep 2, 2026 | Synchrony BankHigh Yield Savings Sep 3, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 2.80% | 3.30% |
Earns in a year | $5,000+$140 $10,000+$280 $25,000+$700 | $5,000+$165 $10,000+$330 $25,000+$825 |
Min. Deposit | $0.01 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily 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.
Comparison Analysis
Comparing Citizens Access™ vs. Synchrony Bank
Executive Summary
Synchrony Bank offers a competitive High Yield Savings account with an APY of 3.30%, making it the top choice between the two banks. This account is available online only and requires no minimum deposit or balance, providing flexibility for new savers. In comparison, Citizens Access™ features a Citizens Access® Savings account with a lower APY of 2.80%. While Citizens Access does not require direct deposit and has a minimum deposit of just $1, it does not match the higher returns offered by Synchrony Bank. For those looking for a money market option, Synchrony Bank also provides a Money Market Account and an IRA Money Market Account, both yielding 2.00%.
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
Why Synchrony Bank?
- Higher potential APY (3.30% vs 2.80%) on all balances
Key Feature Differences
Better Returns at $10,000
Synchrony BankSynchrony Bank's High Yield Savings earns more on smaller deposits (approx. $330 vs $280/yr).
Better Returns at $25,000
Synchrony BankSynchrony Bank's High Yield Savings pulls ahead with larger amounts (approx. $825 vs $700/yr).
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, Synchrony Bank's High Yield Savings pays $50 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Citizens Access™'s Citizens Access® Savings.
*This calculation assumes current rates remain consistent for 1 year and does not include temporary bonuses.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
Citizens Access™ vs. Synchrony Bank Savings Calculator
You earn $50 more with Synchrony 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
Synchrony Bank
High Yield Savings
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$330.00(3.2%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,330.00
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 Synchrony Bank advertise far more than that typical branch-bank rate.
| Feature | Citizens Access™ | Synchrony Bank |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 2.80% Observed: 9/2/2026 0.20%90-day change | 3.30% Observed: 9/3/2026 0.10%90-day change |
| Product Name | Citizens Access® Savings | High Yield 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 | 2 (FL, UT) |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC or NCUA Insured | YesVerify FDIC | YesVerify FDIC |
| Zelle® Support | Not Supported | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | A+ | Not Rated |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at Citizens Access™ Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Synchrony Bank Non-sponsored link to official site |
Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | Citizens Access™ | Synchrony Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens Access® Savings | High Yield Savings | |
Current APY | 2.80% | 3.30% |
Trend | Stable | Stable |
Speed of change | -0.08 | -0.05 |
Days Since Change | 33 | 77 |
12-Month High | 3.50% | 3.80% |
12-Month Low | 2.80% | 3.30% |
Changes per month | 0.33 | 0.33 |
Steadiness | 0.049 | 0.028 |
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 363-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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High Rates (With Checking Bundle)
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More Comparisons
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 SoFi Bank | 3.80% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Varo Bank | 3.75% | $0 |
| Citizens Access™ vs Wealthfront | 3.95% | $0 |