Compare bank interest rates for March 2021 | finder.com
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Compare bank interest rates online

Save for your future with an account that helps your money grow.

Marc Terrano
Marc Terrano

Updated

Fact checked
Keeping your savings in an account with a high APY is the easiest way to increase your funds — but the most competitive rates come from banks you can’t visit.

How do interest rates impact me?

There are two types of interest rates:

  • APY. Annual percentage yield is the amount you earn per year on your savings. A high APY will help your savings grow year over year.
  • APR. Annual percentage rate is the amount you pay on debt. A low APR will help you save money on your mortgages or loans.

Interest rates from banks vs. credit unions

Banks are for-profit businesses, while credit unions operate as nonprofits. A credit union is owned by its members, all of whom have something in common. For example, there are credit unions specifically for teachers or only for retired military members.

While this can sometimes mean more competitive interest rates, both on savings products and loans, that isn’t always the case. Large credit unions can operate like big banks, using high loan rates to help pay for growing overhead costs. Smaller credit unions can use money earned from interest to give back to the community rather than sharing it with members — making them altruistic, but not financially competitive.
Find out how much you can earn with our savings calculator

Brick-and-mortar banks vs. online banks

Online banks tend to have the most competitive interest rates, but you don’t get the same personalized service you would in a branch. All reputable online banks will have a number you can call for help, but they’re usually not as convenient as just walking into a branch.

The Big Four

Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citi are collectively known as the “Big Four” because they’re the largest and most recognizable banks in the country. If you live in a metropolitan area, there’s probably a branch of at least one of these banks within a mile, making them the most accessible option.

When it comes to interest rates, though, they’re the least competitive. Savings accounts and CDs at Big Four banks generally have APYs at or below the national average. Loan rates are similarly unfavorable. Here are some examples of the rates for popular products:

BankSavings rate1-year CD rateCredit card minimum rate (variable)Personal loan minimum rate
ChaseChase Savings0.01%Chase CD0.01% to 0.05%Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card15.99%N/A
Bank of AmericaBank of America Advantage Savings0.01%Bank of America Standard Term CDN/ABankAmericard® Credit Card12.99%N/A
Wells FargoWells Fargo Way2Save Savings0.01%Wells Fargo Standard CDs0.01%Wells Fargo Rewards® Card12.49%Wells Fargo personal loans5.99%
CitiCiti Accelerate Savings0.5%Citi CD0.1%Citi® Double Cash Card13.99%Citibank personal loans7.99%

Online banks

Online banks, like Synchrony, CIT Bank, BBVA and Ally Bank, generally have the best rates — often by a long shot. You can’t walk into a branch for help, but the tradeoff is you can earn significantly more — sometimes double or even triple — on savings accounts and certificates of deposit. And loan rates are more competitive, too.

At the time of writing, a 30-year fixed rate loan from Ally comes with a 4.199% APR, compared with 4.733% APR from Chase. For a $250,000 home, that works out to an $80/month difference on your monthly payments and $28,498 over the life of the loan. Here are some examples of the rates for popular products:

BankSavings rate1-year CD rateCredit card minimum rate (variable)Personal loan minimum rate
BBVABBVA Online Savings0.01%BBVA CD0.8%BBVA Rewards Card11.24%BBVA Compass Express Personal Loans 5.99%
Synchrony BankSynchrony High Yield Savings0.55%Synchrony Bank CDs0.6%N/AN/A
Ally BankAlly Bank Online Savings Account0.5%Ally High Yield CDs0.6%Ally CashBack Credit Card15.24%N/A
CIT BankCIT Bank Savings Builder High Yield Savings Account0.4%CIT Bank Term CDs0.3%N/AN/A

Hybrid banks

Some major banks, like Capital One, HSBC Direct, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, and Barclays, operate online. They give you the security of banking with a big name and the freedom of banking online. They offer rates competitive with other online banks. Here are some examples of the rates for popular products:

BankSavings rate1-year CD rateCredit card minimum rate (variable)Personal loan minimum rate
American ExpressAmerican Express® High Yield Savings0.5%American Express CDs0.2%American Express Cash Magnet® Card13.99%N/A
Capital OneCapital One 360 Performance Savings0.4%Capital One 360 CD0.2%Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card17.24%N/A
BarclaysBarclays Online Savings0.4%Barclays Online CDs0.3%JetBlue Card15.99%Barclays Personal Loans4.99%
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Bottom line

An online bank will give you the most bang for your buck, but you’ll have to give up access to coffee in the bank lobby and a friendly teller who knows you by name. If you want to build your savings but are a little nervous about going with on online bank, consider using a major bank with online savings and checking options.

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