Forbright vs Pibank vs CIT Bank: The Top Three Savings Rates Compared

Updated 7 September 2026: Forbright is 3.85%, CIT is 3.75% / 0.25%, Pibank is 4.10% on its own page. The comparison below was written against the 3 September prints.

Financeradar data: the three highest APYs among the 21 published high-yield savings accounts we verify are 4.15%, 4.10% and 4.10%. Five basis points separate them, which on $10,000 is $5 a year. The differences that actually matter are elsewhere.

Five basis points is not a decision

On $10,000, Forbright's 4.15% versus CIT or Pibank at 4.10% is five dollars a year before anyone blinks. If you are picking on the first decimal, you are shopping the wrong column.

The column that matters is the catch. The September catch report counts 14 of 21 published HYSAs as conditioned. All three of these names are in that 14.

Forbright: the promo leader

4.15% is the top number in the catalog. It is also labeled promotional, and it needs $1,000 in the account. Below that, the standard rate is 3.85%, which is still fine and still above the 3.59% catalog average. The promotional label means it can drop without a new product name. If you want the current leaderboard and you will keep $1,000 in the account, this is the row.

Pibank: the rate we can stand behind

We list Pibank at 4.10% with $0 minimum and $0 fee. The public page title has indexed at 4.40%. The site was unreachable during one verification pass. Until the issuer page and the number agree, 4.10% is what we publish. No ATM, no checking. Direct deposit of the rate into a bank you cannot reach is a product risk of its own.

CIT: the math that bites small balances

CIT's 4.10% includes a 0.35% promo through 31 August 2026. After that you are looking at 3.75%. Balances under $5,000 earn 0.60%. The minimum to open is $100. That combination is how people open a "4.10% account" with $2,000 and earn 0.60%. If you will keep $5,000+ through the promo expiry, CIT is a real 3.75–4.10% account with a First Citizens charter. If you will not, it is not in this race.

Who should pick which

• Forbright if you want the current top APY and will hold $1,000+.
• CIT if you will hold $5,000+ and you accept a dated promo.
• Pibank only if you have confirmed today's rate on pibank.com yourself.

If you do not want a catch, Marcus at 3.40% and Ally at 3.00% are the clean floor. See Marcus vs Ally and the HYSA guide.

Not financial advice. Rates move. Read the bank page before you wire.