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Banking » Compare Banks » CD Rate Battle: Comparing Synchrony Bank vs. Citibank

CD Rate Battle: Comparing Synchrony Bank vs. Citibank

Synchrony Bank offers higher CD rates than Citibank on most terms. Compare CD rates, minimum deposit and early withdrawal fees.
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.

Table Of Content

As interest rates continue to climb, investors are constantly on the lookout for the best CD rates to maximize their returns. Two popular options for investing in CDs are Synchrony Bank and Citibank. While both banks offer competitive rates, their early withdrawal fees and terms can vary.

In this article, we'll compare the CD rates, early withdrawal fees, and terms offered by Synchrony Bank and Citibank to help you make an informed decision when choosing the best CD for your investment strategy. Here's a general CD comparison:

Synchrony Bank CDs
Citibank CDs
CD Range
Up to 4.20%
0.05% – 4.15%
Minimum Deposit
$0
$500 – $2,500
Early Withdrawal penalty
90 – 365 days of interest
90 -180 days of interest
Term
3 months – 5 year
3 months – 5 years

Synchrony vs. Citibank: CD Rates Side By Side

The table compares the CD rates offered by Synchrony Bank and Citibank for specific terms. Based on the comparison, Synchrony Bank generally offers higher CD rates compared to Citibank, except for the few specific terms.

CD Term
Synchrony Bank APY
Citibank APY
3 Months
0.25%
0.05%
6 Months
3.90%
3.25%
9 Months
4.05%
2.50%
12 Months
4.20%
2.50%
18 Months
4.10%
2.45%
24 Months
3.90%
2.00%
30 Months
N/A
0.10%
36 Months
3.90%
2.00%
48 Months
3.90%
2.00%
60 Months
4.00%
2.00%
Synchrony apply for cd
(Screenshot from Synchrony Bank)

Citibank Offer Higher Rate On No Penalty CD

There is no clear winner when it comes to no penalty CD. both banks offer a similar rate and the terms are also close.

If you may need the money before maturity, you may want to consider this option.

Synchrony Bank
Citi Bank
11 Months
0.25%
N/A
12 Months
N/A
0.05%
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Savings Rate: 4.20% APY
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Which Is Better If You Need An Early Withdrawal?

An early withdrawal penalty is a charge levied by financial institutions when an account holder takes out money from a certificate of deposit (CD) account before it matures.

As demonstrated by the table below, the penalties for different terms are nearly identical for both banks, and no clear winner emerges. Nevertheless, for the longest terms, Citibank is the superior choice, as it imposes marginally lower penalties than Synchrony.

CD Term
Synchrony Bank
Citibank
3 Months
90 days of interest
90 days of interest
6 Months
90 days of interest
90 days of interest
9 Months
90 days of interest
90 days of interest
12 Months
90 days of interest
90 days of interest
18 Months
180 days of interest
180 days of interest
24 Months
180 days of interest
180 days of interest
30 Months
N/A
180 days of interest
36 Months
180 days of interest
180 days of interest
48 Months
365 days of interest
180 days of interest
60 Months
365 days of interest
180 days of interest

CD Alternatives: What Do Citibank And Synchrony Offer?

For individuals who value liquidity and flexibility over higher interest rates provided by CDs, savings account is a viable option. While savings accounts offer lower interest rates than CDs, they allow easy access to funds without early withdrawal penalties.

Citi Accelerate Savings
Synchrony High Yield Savings
Savings Rate
4.45%
4.30%
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
N/A Minimum deposit of N/A needed. Expired on N/A
None

The Synchrony High Yield Savings account is an appealing option for savers due to its many features. With competitive rates , no minimum balance requirements, free ATM access, no maintenance fees, multiple withdrawal methods, and a savings goal calculator, this account provides a high-yield savings solution with easy accessibility and transparency.

Synchrony Explore savings Products
(Screenshot from Synchrony Bank, rates are not updated)

 

On the other hand, Citi also has a good alternative to CDs. Citi's Accelerate Savings Account offers a simple and flexible option for savers who want a high-interest rate without complicated fees or minimum deposit requirements. Its benefits include a competitive interest rate of 4.45%, overdraft protection, all-in-one banking, automated savings, and no minimum opening deposit. 

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Savings Rate: 4.41% APY
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Savings Rate: Up to 4.55% APY

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Savings Rate: 4.20% APY
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Savings Rate: 4.00% APY

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

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

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Savings Rate: 4.41% APY
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Savings Rate: Up to 4.55% APY
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Savings Rate: 4.00% APY

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Savings Rate: 4.80% APY

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

The Smart Investor CDs Comparison Methodology

In our comprehensive certificate of deposit (CD) comparison, The Smart Investor team meticulously evaluated various CDs across four key categories to assist you in selecting the most suitable option for your savings goals.

  • CD Rates: We thoroughly examined the interest rates offered by each CD, considering their competitiveness in the market. Higher rates typically translate to greater returns on your investment over the CD's term. Additionally, we scrutinized any special promotional rates or conditions that might affect the overall value of the CD.
  • CD Features: This category focuses on the unique features and terms associated with each CD. We assessed factors such as minimum deposit requirements, early withdrawal penalties, and the availability of flexible terms. Additionally, we considered any additional perks like interest compounding frequency or options for automatic renewal.
  • Customer Experience: A positive customer experience is crucial in banking, and we evaluated each institution's performance in this regard. We looked into aspects such as the ease of opening a CD, the quality of customer service, and the availability of support channels. Reviews from reputable sources such as Trustpilot and JD Power rankings were also considered to gauge overall user satisfaction.
  • Bank Reputation: The reputation of the bank is a significant factor in the decision-making process. We examined the bank's financial stability, regulatory compliance, and public perception to assess its overall trustworthiness and reliability as a CD provider.

Compare Synchrony CDs

Synchrony and Marcus offer high CD rates, including no penalty CD. How they compare when it comes to termss and early withdrawal penalty?

Synchrony vs Marcus: Which Offers Better CD Rates?

Synchrony Bank and Ally CDs offer competitive rates, including no penalty CDs. Which one is the winner? Check out our full comparison.

Comparing CD Rates: Synchrony and Ally Head-to-Head

Synchrony Bank offers better CD rates than Discover for most terms. Compare CD rates, minimum deposit, and early withdrawal fees.

CD Rates Full Comparison: Synchrony vs. Discover

Compare Citibank Certificate Of Deposit (CDs)

Citi has better CD rates than Capital One for specific terms, but Capital One rates are higher on other terms. Here's a full comparison: Capital One CDs and Citibank CDs

Citi Bank and Ally offer competitive CD rates, including no penalty CDs. Which one is the winner? Check out our full comparison: Ally CDs vs. Citibank CDs

While Citi Bank offers competitive CD rates on most terms, Wells Fargo offers high rates on specific terms. Compare rates and withdrawal fees.

CD Rate Comparison: Wells Fargo vs Citibank

While Citi Bank offers CD competitive rates on most terms, Bank Of America is the winner for specific terms. Citi also offers no penalty CD.

Compare CD Rates: Citibank vs. Bank Of America

Compare CD Rates

CD Account Reviews

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  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.
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Best CD Rates
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Savings Rate: 4.41% APY
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Savings Rate: Up to 4.55% APY
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Savings Rate: 4.00% APY
Advertiser Disclosure
We get compensated for these product offers
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This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.