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Banking » Compare Banks » Barclays Bank vs. American Express Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?

Barclays Bank vs. American Express Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?

Amex comes out on top with a solid checking option (which Barclays doesn't have), an excellent savings account, and great credit cards.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Barclays, a global financial giant, provides a comprehensive range of services to US customers, while American Express Bank, known for its credit card prowess, extends its expertise to banking.

Let's compare them side by side: checking account options, savings accounts, CDs, and loan options.

Checking Accounts

There is no competition when it comes to checking accounts, as only American Express Bank offers a checking account. At this moment, Barclays doesn't offer a checking account for US-based customers.

The Amex Rewards Checking is a checking account that earns interest and comes with no monthly fees.

It can be easily managed through the user-friendly Amex App or online platform, enabling you to effortlessly review transactions, transfer funds, and track rewards.

Bank Account
Monthly Fee
APY On Balance
Amex Rewards Checking
$0
1.00%

Amex Rewards Checking lets customers earn Membership Rewards points on eligible Debit Card purchases without any monthly fees. Amex provides round-the-clock customer service and fraud monitoring for added security.

Using the Amex App, mobile check deposits become effortless, and digital transfers make it simple to move money between linked accounts, including the Amex High Yield Savings account.

Moreover, you have the option to add your debit card to your digital wallet, allowing for speedy and convenient payments both in-store and online.

Bank Account
Main Features
Amex Rewards Checking
Interest on balance, mobile check deposits, digital transfers, debit card with purchase protection, rewards your everyday spending
Top Offers From Our Partners

PNC bank logo

Promotion:
Up to $400 Open a new, select Virtual Wallet product and receive $500/$2,000/$5,000 or more in qualifying monthly direct deposits within 60 days to earn a $100/$200/$400 bonus.
Subject to state availability
PNC Virtual Wallet ® is available in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, NM, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WI, and WV. Virtual Wallet ® is offered in the state of MO with the exception of the Greater Kansas City area. Product availability may vary based on where you open your account and the Zip code of your primary address.

Chase_logo

Promotion:
$300 New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.. Expired on 1/22/2025
Chase Overdraft Assist
With Chase Overdraft AssistSM, you won’t be charged an Overdraft Fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day

UpgradeLogo

Fees:
No monthly fees No monthly fees and no overdraft fees. Plus get reimbursed for ATM fees with an active account 
Rewards:
Up to 2% cash back Up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses for active accounts with monthly $1,000 direct deposit, and up to 1% cash back for other purchases 
Promotion:
$500 Use Promo Code “RC500” for a $500 bonus when you apply for a Rewards Checking account
Up to 3.30% APY
to get the maximum rate (up to $50,000) you'll need monthly direct deposits of $1,500 (0.40% APY), 10 transaction on your debit card (+0.30% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Managed Portfolio (+1.00% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account(+1.00% APY) and make full monthly payment on loans (mortgage, personal and auto) with Axos account (+0.60% APY).

Promotion:
Up to $2,500 You could earn $1,500 or $2,500 if you open a new, eligible HSBC Premier checking account from July 1, 2024 through November 22, 2024, and complete qualifying activities: • Get a $1,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $100,000 to $249,999 in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months. • Get a $2,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $250,000+ in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months. – Cash Bonus will be deposited into your new checking account within 8 weeks of meeting all the offer requirements
Wealth Products & Advice
Get access to wealth products, insights and advice from an HSBC Financial Professional through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc

fifth-third-bank-logo

Promotion:
$250 $250 cash bonus if you make direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more within 90 days of account opening.
No Minimum Deposit
Free checking account, no minimum balance, check writing, two days early paycheck
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

PNC bank logo

Promotion:
Up to $400 Open a new, select Virtual Wallet product and receive $500/$2,000/$5,000 or more in qualifying monthly direct deposits within 60 days to earn a $100/$200/$400 bonus.
Subject to state availability
PNC Virtual Wallet ® is available in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, NM, OH, PA, SC, TX, VA, WI, and WV. Virtual Wallet ® is offered in the state of MO with the exception of the Greater Kansas City area. Product availability may vary based on where you open your account and the Zip code of your primary address.

Chase_logo

Promotion:
$300 New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.. Expired on 1/22/2025
Chase Overdraft Assist
With Chase Overdraft AssistSM, you won’t be charged an Overdraft Fee if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day OR if you’re overdrawn by more than $50 and you bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day

UpgradeLogo

Fees:
No monthly fees No monthly fees and no overdraft fees. Plus get reimbursed for ATM fees with an active account 
Rewards:
Up to 2% cash back Up to 2% cash back on common everyday expenses for active accounts with monthly $1,000 direct deposit, and up to 1% cash back for other purchases 
Promotion:
$500 Use Promo Code “RC500” for a $500 bonus when you apply for a Rewards Checking account
Up to 3.30% APY
to get the maximum rate (up to $50,000) you'll need monthly direct deposits of $1,500 (0.40% APY), 10 transaction on your debit card (+0.30% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Managed Portfolio (+1.00% APY), average daily balance of $2,500 on Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account(+1.00% APY) and make full monthly payment on loans (mortgage, personal and auto) with Axos account (+0.60% APY).

Promotion:
Up to $2,500 You could earn $1,500 or $2,500 if you open a new, eligible HSBC Premier checking account from July 1, 2024 through November 22, 2024, and complete qualifying activities: • Get a $1,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $100,000 to $249,999 in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months. • Get a $2,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $250,000+ in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months. – Cash Bonus will be deposited into your new checking account within 8 weeks of meeting all the offer requirements
Wealth Products & Advice
Get access to wealth products, insights and advice from an HSBC Financial Professional through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc

fifth-third-bank-logo

Promotion:
$250 $250 cash bonus if you make direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more within 90 days of account opening.
No Minimum Deposit
Free checking account, no minimum balance, check writing, two days early paycheck
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Savings Accounts

Both Barclays and Amex offers competitive rates on their savings account.

With American Express, customers can earn a competitive APY on their balance. Managing savings is easy with features like simple transfers and auto-deposits, and you'll have access to 24/7 customer service.

Barclays provides seamless online transfers to and from other banks and the convenience of direct deposit.  Barclays also provides tools such as the Savings Assistant to aid customers in reaching their savings goals.

Both banks don't have money market accounts for individuals.

Barclays Online Savings
Amex Savings Account
Savings Rate
4.10%
4.00%
Minimum Deposit
$0
$0
Fees
$0
$0

Certificate Of Deposits (CDs)

If you're looking for a Certificate of Deposit (CD), you may want to go for Barclays instead of American Express.

Barclays gives better interest rates on CDs compared to American Express. Although Barclays doesn't have short-term CDs like three or six months, it offers high rates for other CD terms.

With Barclays, you can use clever plans like CD laddering for both short and long-term CDs. Overall, Barclays provides more options and strategies for making the most of your CD investments compared to American Express

CD Term
APY
12 Months
3.75%
18 Months
3.25%
24 Months
3.00%
36 Months
3.00%
48 Months
3.00%
60 Months
3.25%
CD Term
APY
Early Withdrawal Penalty
12 Months
3.85%
270 days interest
18 Months
3.35%
270 days interest
24 Months
3.50%
270 days interest
36 Months
3.00%
270 days interest
48 Months
3.00%
365 days interest
60 Months
3.00%
540 days interest
Top Offers From Our Partners

UpgradeLogo

Savings Rate: 4.41% APY
CIT-Bank-Logo
Savings Rate: Up to 4.55% APY

live-oak-bank-logo

Savings Rate: 4.20% APY
Quontic bank logo
Savings Rate: 4.00% APY

valley direct logo

Savings Rate: 4.80% APY APY
Advertiser Disclosure
We get compensated for these product offers

Top Savings Accounts From Our Partners

Chime Banking App

  • 2.00% APY on Chime Savings 
  • Build Credit History
  • No Monthly Fees

Quontic High Yield Savings

  • 4.00% APY on savings
  • Interest is compounded daily
  • No Monthly Service Fees

CIT Savings Connect 

  • Up to 4.55% APY on savings
  • No monthly service fees.
  • Zelle, Samsung & Apple Pay

Advertiser Disclosure

The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. 

Top Offers From Our Partners

UpgradeLogo

Savings Rate: 4.41% APY
CIT-Bank-Logo
Savings Rate: Up to 4.55% APY
Quontic bank logo
Savings Rate: 4.00% APY

valley direct logo

Savings Rate: 4.80% APY

Advertiser Disclosure



The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Credit Cards

American Express excels in credit cards, ranking among the top issuers in the US.

They offer a variety of cards, including simple ones like the Blue Cash Everyday® Card and Blue Cash Preferred® Card for everyday spending. The American Express® Gold Card gives extra rewards for dining, groceries, and flights, great for travel enthusiasts.

The Platinum Card® from American Express caters to avid travelers with premium benefits. Their Membership Rewards program provides cardholders with perks and rewards.

You can redeem points for travel, merchandise, gift cards, statement credits, and more, making American Express a standout choice for diverse card options and rewards.

Card
Rewards
Bonus
Annual Fee

AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card review

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
$250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
$95 ($0 intro for the first year)

Amex gold

American Express® Gold Card
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
$325

amex platinum

The Platinum Card® from American Express
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
$695

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Review

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
1X – 2X 2X miles on delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide (including take-out and delivery in the U.S) and at U.S. supermarkets, and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases
50,000 Miles Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership.
$150, $0 intro first year

hilton honors card

Hilton Honors American Express Card
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership
$0

Barclays also has some cool credit cards, but most of them are special cards connected to other companies, not just for Barclays customers.

Take the AAdvantage Aviator Red World, for example. It's great if you love traveling with American Airlines, giving you airline miles, better boarding, and other travel perks. There's also the Barclays JetBlue Card, perfect for JetBlue Airways fans, offering points for flights and extra goodies.

Now, if you're into Banana Republic and Gap Inc. brands, the Banana Republic Rewards Mastercard is your thing. It gives you rewards you can use at their stores, along with discounts, early access to sales, and bonus points for non-brand stuff.

Card