Savings
Synchrony vs Marcus Savings 2026: Which HYSA Wins?
Updated October 10, 2026
Synchrony and Marcus are both online savings accounts with no monthly fee and no minimum balance, and their rates are almost identical: Synchrony paid 3.55% APY and Marcus paid 3.50% when we checked each bank's site on October 10, 2026. That 0.05-point gap is worth $5 a year on $10,000, so the rate should not decide this one. Access should. Synchrony offers an optional ATM card on its savings account and refunds domestic ATM fees up to $5 per statement cycle. Marcus is transfer-only, but it processes transfers of $100,000 or less to or from other banks the same day.
Quick answer
Synchrony paid 3.55% APY and Marcus paid 3.50% as of October 10, 2026 (synchrony.com, marcus.com) — a difference of $5 a year on $10,000. Neither charges a monthly fee or requires a minimum balance. Pick Synchrony if you want an ATM card on your savings account; pick Marcus if you want same-day transfers of up to $100,000 and a contact center that is open around the clock.
Head-to-head, line by line
| Spec | Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings | Marcus by Goldman Sachs Online Savings |
|---|---|---|
| APY (checked October 10, 2026) | ◈ 3.55% | 3.50% |
| What you must do to earn it | None — no minimum balance | None — no minimum deposit |
| Monthly fee | None | None |
| Minimum to open | $0 | $0 |
| Getting your money out | Optional ATM card; domestic ATM fees refunded up to $5 per statement cycle | Online transfers; same-day for $100,000 or less to or from other banks |
| Limited-time offer | None shown on its savings page when we checked | Refer-a-friend: +1.00% for 3 months |
| FDIC insured | Yes | Yes |
◈ marks the stronger option for that row.
What you would earn in a year
Interest on four balances at each rate, using the APYs each bank published when we checked on October 10, 2026.
| Account | APY | On $5,000 | On $10,000 | On $25,000 | On $50,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchrony | 3.55% | $177.50 | $355 | $887.50 | $1,775 |
| Marcus | 3.50% | $175 | $350 | $875 | $1,750 |
| National average savings rate (FDIC, September 21, 2026) | 0.37% | $18.50 | $37 | $92.50 | $185 |
Assumes the balance and the APY stay the same for 12 months, with no deposits or withdrawals. Savings APYs are variable — a bank can change its rate at any time, so treat these as a snapshot, not a forecast.
Sources: synchrony.com · marcus.com · FDIC — National Rates and Rate Caps (monthly)
Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings
Pros
- +ATM card included — unusual for high-yield online savings accounts
- +Other-bank ATM fee reimbursement (up to $5/month)
- +Strong APY at top-tier among no-minimum accounts
- +Synchrony's deep retail-card portfolio means many users already have a relationship
Trade-offs
- –Synchrony's primary business is retail store credit cards — brand recognition for banking is thinner
- –Mobile app less polished than Ally / Marcus
- –Customer service ratings mixed on banking side
Marcus by Goldman Sachs Online Savings
Pros
- +Among the highest APYs in the no-minimum, no-fee category
- +Backed by Goldman Sachs Bank USA — strong balance sheet
- +Refer-a-friend rate boost periodically available
- +Clean, no-frills app and web experience
- +Same-day ACH transfers to/from external linked accounts
Trade-offs
- –No checking account integration — pure savings only
- –No physical branches or ATM access
- –Mobile-check-deposit limit can be tight for large deposits
Which should you pick?
Pick Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings if:Online savings users who want ATM-card access for cash withdrawals when needed.
Pick Marcus by Goldman Sachs Online Savings if:Anyone wanting a simple, well-backed high-yield savings account with zero account-management friction.
What would change this verdict
- ◆Either bank moves its rate by more than 0.05 points. The gap is small enough that one repricing reverses it.
- ◆You use a Marcus referral. Marcus adds 1.00 percentage points to its APY for 3 months when you refer a new customer (marcus.com) — worth about $25 on $10,000, against Synchrony's $5-a-year edge at that balance.
- ◆You need cash straight from savings. If there is no checking account in between, Synchrony's ATM card is the deciding feature.
The full lineup
See all picks, methodology, and side-by-side comparison in Best High-Yield Savings Accounts 2026.
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Frequently asked
Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings vs Marcus by Goldman Sachs Online Savings — common questions
Does Synchrony High Yield Savings come with ATM access?+
Yes. Synchrony's High Yield Savings account includes an optional ATM card, letting you withdraw cash from ATMs — unusual for a pure savings account. Most high-yield savings accounts do not include debit or ATM cards. Synchrony also reimburses up to $5 in ATM fees per statement cycle (verify current terms at synchronybank.com). Marcus does not offer an ATM card on its savings product.
Are Synchrony Bank and Marcus FDIC-insured?+
Yes. Synchrony Bank and Goldman Sachs Bank USA (Marcus) are both FDIC-member institutions. Deposits are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category. Source: fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance/.
Which has a higher APY — Synchrony or Marcus savings?+
Synchrony, narrowly. As of October 10, 2026, Synchrony High Yield Savings paid 3.55% APY (synchrony.com) and Marcus Online Savings paid 3.50% (marcus.com). The 0.05-point difference is $5 a year on $10,000 and $25 on $50,000. Both rates are variable, and a gap this small can reverse the next time either bank reprices. For reference, the FDIC's national average savings rate was 0.37% as of September 21, 2026 (fdic.gov).
Can I open a checking account with Synchrony or Marcus?+
As of mid-2026, Marcus (Goldman Sachs) does not offer a checking account in the U.S. — its products include savings accounts, CDs, and personal loans only. Synchrony does not offer a traditional checking account but has a Money Market Account alongside its high-yield savings. For a full checking + savings banking relationship, alternatives like Ally, SoFi, or Capital One 360 offer paired accounts. Verify current product offerings at marcus.com and synchronybank.com.
Do Synchrony and Marcus savings accounts compound interest daily?+
Yes. Both Synchrony High Yield Savings and Marcus by Goldman Sachs compound interest daily and credit it monthly — per each bank's published account agreement. Daily compounding means each day's interest is added to the balance before the next day's interest is calculated. The practical difference between daily and monthly compounding at typical HYSA rates is small, but daily compounding is the industry standard for competitive online savings accounts. Verify terms at synchronybank.com and marcus.com.
Are Synchrony and Marcus savings rates fixed, or do they change when the Federal Reserve cuts rates?+
Both Synchrony High Yield Savings and Marcus by Goldman Sachs pay variable APYs — not fixed rates. When the Federal Reserve cuts its federal funds rate target, banks typically reduce savings account APYs within days to weeks. Neither Synchrony nor Marcus guarantees a floor rate; the published APY can be lowered at any time at the bank's discretion. If protecting against rate cuts is a priority, a fixed-rate certificate of deposit (CD) locks in today's rate for a defined term. The Federal Reserve publishes its rate decisions and historical data at federalreserve.gov. Verify current terms at synchronybank.com and marcus.com.
Is there a minimum opening deposit for Synchrony High Yield Savings or Marcus savings?+
Neither Synchrony High Yield Savings nor Marcus by Goldman Sachs requires a minimum opening deposit — both accounts can be opened with any amount. There are also no minimum balance requirements to earn the advertised APY; the full rate applies to the entire balance from day one. This makes both accounts accessible for savers building an emergency fund from scratch. Verify current account terms at synchronybank.com and marcus.com, as policies can change. Source: synchronybank.com, marcus.com.
How long do ACH transfers take between Synchrony or Marcus and an external bank?+
Standard ACH transfers from Synchrony Bank typically take 1–3 business days for external bank-to-bank transfers. Marcus says it processes transfers of $100,000 or less the same day when you request them through Marcus by 12 pm ET on a business day; when the money becomes available still depends on the other bank (marcus.com). Both banks let you link external accounts online. Verify current transfer timelines at synchrony.com and marcus.com.
Do Synchrony and Marcus offer savings CDs in addition to their HYSA products?+
Yes — both Synchrony Bank and Marcus by Goldman Sachs offer certificates of deposit (CDs) alongside their high-yield savings accounts. CDs from both banks have historically offered competitive rates for terms ranging from several months to multiple years, with fixed rates that lock in for the term. Early withdrawal penalties apply if funds are withdrawn before maturity. For savers who want to lock in today's rates against future Fed cuts, a CD ladder across both banks is worth exploring. Verify current CD rates and terms at synchronybank.com and marcus.com. Source: synchronybank.com, marcus.com.
Does Synchrony or Marcus offer a money market account?+
Synchrony Bank offers a Money Market Account in addition to its High Yield Savings account. The Synchrony Money Market account includes check-writing privileges — a feature not available with standard HYSAs. Marcus by Goldman Sachs does not offer a money market account; its personal banking products are limited to savings accounts and CDs. For customers who want check-writing access alongside competitive rates, Synchrony's Money Market is an option worth comparing against its HYSA. Verify current product offerings and rates at synchronybank.com. Source: synchronybank.com.
Independent editorial comparison. ClearValue Lending is not the issuer of any product compared here; affiliate links may pay a referral commission at no cost to you — selection is independent of compensation.
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