Banking » Compare Banks » Citi Accelerate Savings vs Ally High-Yield Savings: Comparison
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Citi Accelerate Savings vs Ally High-Yield Savings: Comparison

Compare Citi Accelerate Savings and Ally Savings rates, features, benefits, and limitations to determine which one is the best option for you
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann’s areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

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.

Choosing the right bank for your savings can be a daunting task, especially when there are many options available. Ally Bank and Citi are two popular banks that offer high-yield savings accounts with competitive interest rates, low fees, and other great features.

In this article, we will compare Ally High-Yield Savings and Citi Accelerate Savings in detail. 

Savings Rate and Deposit Comparison

Citi Accelerate Savings
Ally High-Yield Savings
Savings Rate
3.85%
3.85%
Minimum Deposit
$0
$0
Fees
$4.50/$10 per month Can be waived if you maintain an average combined monthly balance of $500/$1,500 in your eligible accounts, make one enhanced direct deposit or one qualifying bill payment per statement period
$0
Promotion
$100 – $5,000 Minimum deposit of $10,000 – $1,000,000+ needed. Expired on 07/07/2023
None

Comparing Citi Accelerate Savings and Ally High-Yield Savings, Citi Accelerate Savings has a slightly higher interest rate of 3.85% compared to Ally High-Yield Savings' rate of 3.85%. Both banks have no minimum deposit requirements, making them accessible to a wide range of customers.

However, Citi Accelerate Savings has a monthly maintenance fee of $4.50 or $10 per month, depending on the account balance, while Ally High-Yield Savings has no monthly maintenance fees.

Citi Accelerate Savings is currently running a promotional offer for new customers, offering a potential reward of $100 to $5,000, while Ally High-Yield Savings does not have any current promotions.

Breaking Down Savings Account Perks

Citi Accelerate Savings
Ally High-Yield Savings
High Interest Rate
No Monthly Fees or Account Minimum
No Minimum Opening Deposit
Savings Organization Tools
Mobile Check Deposit
Safe to Save
Automate Your Savings
Round-Ups

Citi's Accelerate Savings Account offers a simple and flexible option for savers who want to earn a high interest rate without any minimum deposit requirement or complicated fees. Its benefits include a competitive interest rate of 3.85%, no minimum opening deposit, overdraft protection, all-in-one banking, automated savings, and mobile check deposit.

This account is especially appealing for those who want to manage their finances in one place since Citi offers every financial service from banking to lending to investing. With the ability to set up automated transfers, savers can easily contribute to their account and maximize their savings. Additionally, the mobile check deposit feature allows for easy and convenient deposits on the go.

On the other hand, with high rate , no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements, Ally High-Yield Savings can help you focusing on growing your savings without worrying about extra costs.

Not only that, but you'll have access to 24/7 customer support and unique features like Safe to Save and Round Ups, which automatically transfer funds to your savings account. With the “buckets” feature, you can create multiple savings goals within the same account, making it easy to organize and track your progress.

How Can Ally And Citi Improve?

Citi Accelerate Savings
Ally High-Yield Savings
Monthly Fee
Maximum Monthly Withdrawals
Must Have Citi Checking
No Cash Deposits

Unless you have an average balance of $500, you will pay a monthly fee of $4.50 for a basic banking package with Citi’s Accelerate Savings account.

 In order to open a savings account with Citi, it is required to have a Citi checking account.

Ally High-Yield Savings Account limits the number of withdrawals to six in any given month. If you require more frequent access to your savings, this account may not be suitable for you.

As an online bank, Ally does not accept cash deposits. If you want to add cash to your account, you'll need to deposit it into another account and then transfer the funds electronically to your Ally High-Yield Savings Account.

Ally is an online-only bank, which means they don't have any physical branches. While you can reach customer support 24/7, you won't have the option of face-to-face customer service.

If you prefer in-person banking experiences, this account may not be the right fit for you.

Steps to Opening a Savings Account

Opening a Citi Accelerate savings account can take a little more compared to Ally. Here's how to open them:

To open a Citi Accelerate Savings account, you can follow these simple steps. First, select the banking package that best suits your needs. Next, provide your personal and financial information, including your ID, Social Security number, and employment and income information.

Once verified, set up your online account, which will allow you to manage your account and set up automated savings transfers. Lastly, transfer funds to your account by either linking a checking account and transferring funds electronically or mailing in a check.

To open an Ally savings account, you have a few options including applying over the phone, downloading an application form and mailing it in, or the simplest way, applying online.

The online application process involves a few straightforward steps. First, visit the Ally website and navigate to the high yield savings account product page. Review the account details and click the “Apply” button to start the process.

Second, complete the application form by providing basic personal information such as your full name, address, email, phone number, and social security number. Third, verify your identity by submitting suitable forms of identification such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state-issued photo ID, as required by federal regulations.

Finally, choose your preferred funding options, though this step is optional. Once you've submitted your application, Ally will send you an email confirming approval and that your account is open.

Savings Accounts Reviews

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor, which helps consumers make better financial decisions.  Silvermann's areas of expertise include investing, banking, and credit cards. Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more. Aside from being a finance expert, his background includes working as a business and financial analyst. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
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