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American Express® Savings Review

The American Express® High Yield Savings Account (HYSA) offers an excellent way to grow your savings with a higher-than-average interest rate. The account comes with no monthly fees, no minimum deposit requirements, and daily compounding interest, making it a strong choice for people who want to grow their money while keeping it secure. Designed for savings rather than everyday spending, it delivers competitive returns and stands out as a great option for boosting financial stability and maximizing savings balances.

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American Express®, Member FDIC


Pros

  • High APY for competitive earnings
  • No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
  • Daily compounding interest, boosting long-term savings
  • Easy online account management and auto-deposit features
  • Backed by American Express' trusted reputation and 24/7 customer support

Cons

  • No ATM, debit card, or check-writing capabilities
  • Designed for savings, not everyday spending
  • Only the primary account holder can access online tax forms

Key features

  • The 3.50% APY is much higher than the national average of 0.38%

  • No monthly fees

  • No minimum daily balance requirements to earn interest

  • Interest compounds daily making the savings balance grow faster

  • Highly-rated American Express® app for transferring funds, setting up automatic deposits, checking balances, and more

  • Open to anyone regardless of their starting balance, unlike some accounts that require a high initial deposit or minimum daily balance

  • Our site is regularly updated with the latest rates.
    For the most up-to-date information, visit the American Express website.


American Express® High Yield Savings Account

The American Express® High Yield Savings Account stands out by offering reliable growth potential with minimal effort. Savers can open an account in minutes, link their current bank for transfers, and watch their savings grow through competitive rates and daily compounding.

While the account lacks features like ATM cards or checks, it focuses on maximizing savings for those who don’t require frequent withdrawals. By not providing debit cards or spending features, this account focuses on growing your savings, which might appeal to people who prefer separating spending from saving.

Interest rate and APY
The annual percentage yield (APY) tells you how much interest you’ll earn on your savings over a year, including the effect of compounding. With its high APY, the American Express® High Yield Savings Account offers a much better rate than the national average, making it easier to grow your money.

Estimated earnings with daily compounding interest
Interest is calculated daily and added to the account monthly. Compounding interest daily, rather than monthly or quarterly, maximizes savings growth over time. Some other products may not offer this frequency of compounding.

For example, with a $500 deposit:

  • After 1 year: Balance would grow to $517 (earning $19 in interest).
  • After 3 years: Balance would reach $554 (earning $61 in interest).
  • After 5 years: Balance would grow to $594 (earning $105 in interest).

There’s also no minimum deposit required, so account holders can start saving with as little or as much as they want.

High yield savings account fees and requirements

  • No fees for account opening, maintenance, or monthly usage.
  • No minimum deposit or balance required.

American Express® online account and mobile app

  • Manage funds online or through the award-winning American Express® App.
  • Set up auto-deposits or link external accounts for easy transfers.

24/7 customer support
Around-the-clock support ensures help is available when needed, which isn’t always the case with other savings accounts offering only limited customer service hours.

Account options
While some institutions restrict joint account features, this account gives equal access to both account holders, which could appeal to partners managing shared finances.

  • Individual accounts: Owned by one person, with interest reported to the IRS under their Social Security Number.
  • Joint accounts: Shared by two people, with equal access to funds. These accounts come with a “right of survivorship,” meaning the surviving account holder gets full access to the funds if one person passes away.


American Express® High Yield Savings Account explained

High-yield savings accounts offer higher interest rates than regular savings accounts. They’re a great option for saving toward goals like an emergency fund, a vacation, or a large purchase. However, they aren’t ideal for day-to-day expenses because they don’t include features like debit cards or ATMs. The American Express® High Yield Savings Account focuses on helping you grow your money securely and conveniently.


About American Express®

American Express® is a globally recognized financial institution known for its exceptional customer service and robust product offerings. As a trusted name in banking, its high-yield savings account reflects a commitment to providing secure and accessible solutions for personal finance. FDIC-insured and backed by a legacy of financial expertise, it’s a dependable choice for savers.

American Express® is well-known for its financial products and customer service. The company has been around for decades and is considered a trustworthy option for saving money. Its high-yield savings account is FDIC-insured, which means your money is protected (up to $250,000 per depositor) if the bank were to fail.


Other points to consider

  • High APY
    The 3.50% APY is competitive and significantly above the national average. Some similar products may offer comparable rates but often have stricter requirements like minimum balances or promotional rates that expire after a set period.

  • Straightforward terms
    This account eliminates complexities like tiered interest rates (where higher balances earn better rates), making it easier to understand and calculate earnings.

  • Transparent fees
    The absence of hidden fees (such as fees for falling below a balance threshold) sets it apart from accounts that charge unexpected fees.

  • Good for small and large savers
    Many competitors aim their accounts at high-net-worth individuals by requiring large deposits to qualify for higher rates. By offering the same APY to all customers, this account is more inclusive.

  • Not a multi-product account
    While this account is strong as a standalone product, it lacks integration with other tools like credit card rewards or checking-to-savings automation that some competitors might offer.

  • Limited withdrawal options
    The account relies on online transfers for withdrawals, which may take time to process. While this is common for savings accounts, some providers offer faster access or integration with other financial tools.

Final thoughts

The American Express® High Yield Savings Account is a straightforward, secure option for anyone looking to earn more interest on their savings without paying fees. It’s best for people who don’t need frequent access to their money and want to grow their savings faster than they would with a traditional account. However, if you’re looking for an account to use for everyday spending, this may not be the right choice.

This competitive option for savers offers great interest rates, no fees, and easy-to-use online tools, making it a solid choice for saving money. If you’re planning to put your money away and watch it grow, this account could be a smart way to reach your savings goals and boost your financial well-being.

Visit American Express® ➜

American Express®, Member FDIC


American Express® reserves the right to change rates, fees, and other pricing. For the most up-to-date information and to explore other American Express® products, please click the button above to visit their site.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

You can deposit and withdrawal funds into your online account, and manage bills using your bank's secure mobile app, website portal, or by visiting an ATM. To deposit funds into your account, you can transfer money from another account, deposit mobile checks by uploading images of the front and back, use ATMs, or set up direct deposits for recurring incoming payments. For withdrawals, you can transfer money to another account, use ATMs, or request an electronic transfer. Use your online account's automatic payments and bill notifications features so you never miss a payment.
In most cases, you can use your online bank account right away. Opening an online account is fast, often taking just 10 to 15 minutes. Approval is typically granted immediately after application submission, allowing you to create your account, login, and begin banking straight away. If additional verification is needed, approval can take an additional 1 to 2 days.
Yes, nearly all online banks provide free ATMs nationwide and/or automatic reimbursements for ATM fees. Most online banks partner with large ATM networks to provide easy access to ATMs no matter where you live. If you run into difficulty locating in-network ATMs, oftentimes the bank will reimburse any out-of-network ATM charges.
The best bank depends on your financial needs. First, determine whether a checking account for everyday transactions or a savings account to earn interest on your deposits is right for you. Then, look for banks that offer low or no fees. competitive interest rates, great customer reviews, and helpful digital tools to manage your finances easily.
Yes, online banks must adhere to strict government regulations and licensing requirements just as traditional banks must, and many provide the same level of FDIC insurance. Robust encryption and cyber-security keep your personal information safe, in a similar way that traditional banks keep their customer databases secure. Selecting a reputable financial institution is key to any safe banking, so be sure to carefully evaluate and compare banks before agreeing to any terms.
FDIC insured banks are financial institutions that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This insurance protects deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, meaning, in the event a bank ever fails, your money is secure.