E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley vs. Wealthfront
Wealthfront edges out E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley slightly at 3.95% vs 3.50% APY. On a $10,000 balance, the difference is just $4 per year, so other factors may matter more.
The Bottom Line
The E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Wealthfront savings accounts are very similar. Choose E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley if you want Zelle for quick transfers.
| Metric | E*TRADE from Morgan StanleyPremium Savings Account Sep 5, 2026 | WealthfrontCash Account Sep 5, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.50% | 3.30% - 3.95% |
Earns in a year | $5,000+$175 $10,000+$350 $25,000+$875 | $5,000+$173 $10,000+$346 $25,000+$866 |
Min. Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Snapshot view. Rates subject to change. | ||
Terms | - | Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get the stated APY for 3 months, after which a lower APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Features | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppZelle® SupportedDaily CompoundingRate Changes Often | FDIC InsuredNo MinimumsGreat iOS AppGreat Android AppDaily Compounding |
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 E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley vs. Wealthfront
Executive Summary
Wealthfront offers a Cash Account with a competitive APY of 3.95%, making it the higher-yielding option compared to E*TRADE's Premium Savings Account, which has an APY of 3.50%. Wealthfront's account is available to new clients for three months at the promotional rate, after which it reverts to a lower base APY. Both accounts are online-only and do not require a minimum deposit or maintenance fees. While E*TRADE's account does not have a direct deposit requirement, Wealthfront's account also allows for flexibility without such a condition. Overall, Wealthfront's Cash Account stands out for its simplicity and higher yield.
The analysis is based on current Banksparency database records
* This content is provided for informational purposes only; always verify details with the provider.
Why E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley?
- Fast transfers via Zelle®
Why Wealthfront?
- Higher potential APY (3.95% vs 3.50%) for a duration of 3 months
Key Feature Differences
Better for Simplicity
WealthfrontWealthfront's Cash Account offers 3.95% APY with no bundling, direct deposit requirement or caps.
Shared Benefits
Over a 1-year period, E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley's Premium Savings Account pays $4 more interest on a $10,000 balance than Wealthfront's Cash Account.
*This comparison accounts for Wealthfront's introductory promotional rate, yet E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley's standard rate still yields a higher 1-year return.
Non-sponsored link to official site
Non-sponsored link to official site
Top Market Contenders
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley vs. Wealthfront Savings Calculator
You earn $2.5 more with E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley than Wealthfront 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.
E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley
Premium Savings Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$350.00(3.4%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,350.00
Wealthfront
Cash Account
Savings Breakdown
- Interest Earned+$347.50(3.4%)
- Total Contributions$0
- Initial Deposit$10,000
Projected Balance
$10,347.50
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 $341 a year in interest.
Both E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley and Wealthfront advertise far more than that typical branch-bank rate.
| Feature | E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley | Wealthfront |
|---|---|---|
| APY | 3.50% Observed: 9/5/2026 0.25%90-day change | 3.95% Range: 3.30% - 3.95% Observed: 9/5/2026 0.05%90-day change |
| Product Name | Premium Savings Account | Cash Account |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Min. Balance for APY | $0 | $0 |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $0 |
| Compound Frequency | Daily | Daily |
| In-Branch Access | No | No |
| Account Type | Online Only | Online Only |
| Physical Branches | 1 (NY) | Not reported |
| Direct Deposit Req. | None | None |
| Checking Bundle | No | No |
| Mobile Apps | ||
| FDIC or NCUA Insured | YesVerify FDIC | Yes |
| Zelle® Support | Available Available for Premium Savings and Checking. | Not Supported |
| BBB Rating | D- | F |
| Important Notes | - | Wealthfront is not a bank but a financial services company. It is FDIC-insured through its many partner banks. New clients get the stated APY for 3 months, after which a lower APY applies. See terms at Wealthfront. |
| Next Steps | Visit SiteVerify at E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley Non-sponsored link to official site | Visit SiteVerify at Wealthfront Non-sponsored link to official site |
Compare Savings Rates Over Time
Historical Performance
| Metric | E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley |
|---|---|
| Premium Savings Account | |
Current APY | 3.50% |
Trend | Stable |
Speed of change | 0.03 |
Days Since Change | 81 |
7-Month High | 3.50% |
7-Month Low | 3.25% |
Changes per month | 0.27 |
Steadiness | 0.031 |
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 224-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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