Best savings account rates in Canada
Saving money takes time, and it’s not always easy, especially with competing financial goals. Whenever you have money to set aside, it’s important to make an effort and put it in a savings account. Finding the best interest rate is a step in the right direction for achieving your savings goals faster.
There are tons of savings accounts in Canada with different features and perks. It can be difficult to find the best rates available as interest rates can fluctuate at any time.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the best savings account rates in Canada. It helps you understand the top picks for high-interest savings accounts, what influences interest rates, and how to find the best rates in the market.
Top picks: High-interest savings accounts with the best rates
The goal of a high-interest savings account is to help maximize the interest you earn on your deposits. With compound interest, your interest is calculated based on your deposits and interest accumulated from previous periods. Two main factors determine how quickly compound interest works for you–the interest rate and compounding frequency.
More frequent compounding periods equals more frequent interest payments and higher earnings. For example, you’ll earn more interest with monthly compounding than with annual compounding periods.
With the rise of technology and innovation, you’ll likely find higher interest rates with online financial service providers. They may offer more competitive rates and have innovative platforms that provide customers with an intuitive experience. Customers may enjoy high rates compared to traditional institutions and have perks that support their financial journey.
When you look at current interest rates for high-interest savings accounts, here are some top picks.
The best high-interest savings accounts¹:
- Neo High-Interest Savings account: 4% stable rate².
- Simplii Financial High-Interest Savings account: 6% promotional rate and 0.40% base rate.
- Tangerine Savings account: 6% promotional rate and 0.70% base rate.
- RBC High-Interest eSavings account: 5.5% promotional rate and 1.70% regular rate.
- Manulife Bank Advantage account: 2.85% base rate.
- KOHO Spending and Savings account: up to 5% base rate based on the selected subscription plan.
- Motive Savvy Savings account: 4.1% interest rate.
You’ll notice that some of these interest rates are promotional offers while others are base rates. A promotional rate is typically higher than the base rate and is only available for a limited time. Once the promotional period ends, you’ll earn interest at the base rate in your savings account.
Most people may think that the best savings account rate is the highest rate available. While a high interest rate certainly helps your money grow faster within the promotional offer, it shouldn’t be your only consideration when looking at high-interest savings accounts.
A high-interest savings account has many factors, such as rewards and fees. It’s important to consider what features are the most important for you and make a balanced decision that fits your needs. Make sure you’re opening a savings account with the right mixture of interest, features, and customer service that fits your specific needs.
Factors influencing savings account rates in Canada
The economy and the financial market landscape influence savings account rates in Canada. Here are some factors influencing savings account rates in Canada.
Supply and demand for money
Supply and demand control a huge part of our economy and prices for goods and services. If there’s too much demand and not enough supply, prices increase as people are willing to pay more to get a piece of the limited supply. If there’s too much supply and not enough demand, prices decrease as people aren’t willing to pay as much anymore.
The same concept applies to high-interest savings account rates. Financial providers raise and decrease interest rates based on financial market conditions and competition. When the prime rates are low, financial providers lower their interest rates on savings accounts since they can’t offer more interest in these accounts than they can earn on lending-based accounts.
Policy interest rate
Another factor influencing savings account rates in Canada is the Bank of Canada. The Bank of Canada determines the policy interest rate, which influences the rates that institutions have for loans and financial products like high-interest savings accounts.
Interest rates for savings accounts have a direct relationship with the Bank of Canada’s policy rate. When the policy rate increases, it influences the financial service providers to increase their rates as well. The Bank of Canada has increased the policy rate several times in recent years. Savers enjoy increased interest rates on savings accounts; however, higher interest rates also increase the cost of borrowing on loans.
The Bank of Canada changes the policy interest rate to influence economic growth and ensure the inflation rate stays within target. The Bank of Canada may raise the policy rate to discourage borrowing and spending to keep inflation from rising above the target.
Likewise, when the economy is slower, the Bank of Canada may decrease the policy interest rate to stimulate the economy. Changes in the policy interest rate can lead to similar changes in short-term interest rates. Financial providers aren’t required to increase or decrease high-interest savings account rates when the Bank of Canada changes the policy rate.
Competition
The last influence on savings account interest rates is the competition among financial providers. There are tons of high-interest savings account options available from different financial providers.
When you compare interest rates and look for the best high-interest savings account, one factor you’ll consider is the interest rate. You want a higher interest rate to help your money grow faster and reach your savings goal quicker.
The policy interest rate acts as a benchmark because it guides financial companies as a basis for lending when they set interest rates for savings accounts and other products. Institutions are likely to have interest rates near each other to remain competitive.
Comparing options: How to find the best savings account rates
Finding the best savings account rate is important because it determines how much interest you earn. Here are some tips to consider when comparing your options for high-interest savings accounts.
Compare financial providers
Each financial provider may offer a different rate for their high-interest savings account. Comparing financial providers helps you understand which institutions have competitive rates. Since interest rates can fluctuate regularly without notice, comparison shopping gives you peace of mind knowing you’ve done your research and found the best rates in the market.
Consider online-only financial providers and fintech companies
Thanks to the rise in online-only financial service providers and fintech companies, Canadians can access higher interest rates and more innovative financial solutions. As market conditions change and online providers become more common, different financial providers may offer higher rates or bonus offers to remain competitive. These providers may also offer innovative platforms that can help customers grow their savings and reach their goals faster. Higher interest rates also allow these smaller companies to compete with the bigger financial providers.
Understand the financial landscape
Understanding the financial landscape can help you make more informed decisions while comparing different institutions. It also allows you to understand trends in the financial market and anticipate whether interest rates may increase or decrease soon. If the Bank of Canada increases the policy rate, it’s a good indicator that they want to decrease inflation by making it more expensive to borrow money. Financial providers may follow by increasing the interest rates on loans and savings accounts.
Be willing to switch financial providers
If you’re not happy with the current interest rate you have, it may be time to consider switching institutions. While it’s convenient to keep all your accounts and money with one provider, you may not always get the best rates. You may have to have accounts with several financial providers to get the best deal on the rates and perks of all your accounts.
For example, you can open a high-interest savings account with an online-only institution with a higher interest rate for any short-term goals and keep your retirement savings in a registered retirement savings plan with a traditional bank.
Watch out for fees and restrictions
Some high-interest savings accounts have monthly fees, limited transactions, tiered interest rates, or other charges. While you earn a higher interest rate, these additional fees can limit your savings.
Look at the fine print that outlines the terms and conditions for the high-interest savings account. It includes all the eligibility requirements and restrictions you may have, as well as the interest rate structure.
You want a high-interest savings account with no monthly fees and free or low-cost transactions to protect your savings.
Look at promotional vs. base rates
Some financial providers attract new customers and deposits with temporary high interest rates. Promotional rates are available for a limited time, and the base rate is typically much lower. If you look at the top rates for savings accounts above, you’ll see that many of the higher interest rates are promotional offers.
Some people like the temporary high-interest rates and welcome offers, but you won’t earn as much interest once the promotion expires. Look for high-interest savings accounts with ongoing high-interest rates to guarantee maximum interest earnings on every dollar you save.
Compare special savings accounts
There are many types of savings accounts, such as high-interest savings accounts, student savings accounts, youth savings accounts, senior savings accounts, and joint savings accounts. Each of these accounts has different features and benefits designed to meet specific needs.
High-interest savings accounts typically have the highest interest rates available, as they’re designed to maximize interest earnings on your deposits. However, they may have restrictions like limited transfers, withdrawal fees, monthly account fees, or minimum balances.
If you’re looking for benefits based on specific eligibility requirements, you can compare different specialty accounts to find one that matches your needs. For example, senior savings accounts may offer discounts and savings for senior citizens.
Where can I get 5% interest on my money in Canada?
The best way to find a competitive interest rate on your money is to compare different savings accounts and products. You’ll likely find the interest rates offered by various financial providers, as well as any additional benefits or restrictions included. Comparing interest rates ensures you find the best rate for your financial goals.
Interest rates fluctuate all the time based on economic conditions, competition, and how the Bank of Canada sets the policy interest rate. Pay attention to the financial market and regularly compare interest rates to see the current rates for savings accounts. We offer guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) at a 5.4% rate⁴. A GIC is a low-risk investment tool that offers a rate of return over a fixed period.
Once you find a product that offers the interest rate you want, you can consider whether the account has the features you want. It’s also essential to consider the potential risks and limitations associated with the account so you understand whether it fits into your portfolio. It’s also important to consider other factors, such as monthly fees. You want to get the most out of every dollar you deposit and have the flexibility to move your funds in and out of the savings account whenever you want.
Which Canadian financial provider has the best interest rates?
It depends on what you’re looking for in a savings account. If you don’t care about paying monthly fees or unlimited free transactions, you can simply find the highest interest rate and make regular deposits. If you’re in school, you can look for student savings accounts that may offer special discounts and perks for students.
Most people want to earn a high-interest rate without being charged account fees. The Neo High-Interest Savings account offers one of the highest interest rates in Canada¹. You earn 4% interest² on every dollar deposited into your account. It is not a temporary or promotional rate and applies to all deposits across multiple high-interest savings accounts. The built-in smart tools track your savings and give you insights on how to get the most out of your savings account and reach your financial goals.
In addition to the high-interest rate, the Neo High-Interest Savings account has no monthly fees or minimum balances. Whether you’re looking to switch from your current institution or start building your savings, you can deposit up to $200,000 and transfer money to your other Neo accounts³ or external accounts.
Start maximizing your savings today with a Neo High-Interest Savings account
Saving money isn’t always easy, but it’s essential for creating a strong financial future. We simplify the process, so you can focus on maximizing saving money and making the purchases you want.
You can apply for the Neo High-Interest Savings account in a few minutes from the comfort of your home. Once the application goes through, you can start making deposits and earning interest right away.
With the Neo High-Interest Savings account, you get the benefits of a high base rate and no monthly fees or minimum balances. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or how much you want to deposit into the account. You earn 4.00% interest² on every dollar you deposit. You can see how much interest you earn each month and your savings progress by logging into the Neo app.
You can transfer money from your Neo High-Interest Savings account and other Neo or external accounts whenever you want. It gives you the flexibility to manage your funds in a way that makes the most sense for you.
Personalize multiple accounts for different goals, and use our smart tools to stay organized and on top of your savings.
Learn more about the Neo High-Interest Savings account and get started with your savings journey today.
¹ Based on research of high-interest savings accounts, comparing and limited to: BMO, CIBC, Scotiabank, TD Bank, RBC, Simplii Financial, and Tangerine. Research conducted by Neo Financial and based on data taken from public websites on December 17, 2023. Research includes welcome offers.
² Interest is calculated daily on the total closing balance and paid monthly. Rates are per annum and subject to change without notice.
³ Limitations apply to Quebec residents.
⁴ Interest for Neo GICs accrues daily and is paid at maturity. For terms greater than one year, interest compounds annually. Rates are per annum and subject to change, but rates are guaranteed after you start your GIC term.
