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Best high interest savings accounts in Canada in 2021

Reach your financial goals sooner by finding the best high-interest savings accounts available.

EQ Bank Savings Plus Account

EQ Bank Savings Plus Account logo

Interest rate of 1.25%

  • Zero everyday banking fees
  • Free transactions
  • No minimum account balance
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The best high interest savings accounts can help you build your nest egg at record speed with a high interest rates and low fees. That’s why we did the research to bring you some of the savings accounts with the best interest rates available in Canada today.

What's in this guide?

Compare high interest savings accounts at a glance

Name Product Interest Rate Promotional Interest Rate Min. Bal / Min. Deposit Account Fee
EQ Bank Savings Plus Account
EQ Bank Savings Plus Account
1.25%
N/A
$0 / $0
$0
Enjoy zero everyday banking fees, free transactions and no minimum balance with a Savings Plus Account from EQ Bank.
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CI Direct Investing High Rate Savings Account
CI Direct Investing High Rate Savings Account
0.50%
N/A
$0 / $0
$0
With no fees and no restrictions, you'll earn 0.5% interest with the CI Direct Investing High Rate Savings Account.
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Closer look at more high interest savings accounts in Canada

EQ Bank Savings Plus Account

EQ Bank Savings Plus Account logo

Read review Check my rate
1.25%
Interest Rate
N/A
Promo Rate
$0
Min. Balance
EQ Bank offers an easy, streamlined, no-hidden-fees alternative to big banks. With the EQ Bank Savings Plus Account, you can enjoy a very competitive interest rate and low costs. EQ Bank is entirely online, so you can manage your money conveniently from home. While you can't perform cash transactions, you can easily send money to and from linked accounts at outside institutions for free. This high interest savings account is great if you're just starting to save or are trying to build up an existing, modest-sized fund.
Loan details
Interest Rate 1.25%
Min. Balance $0
Promo Rate 1.25%
Transaction Fee unlimited
Interac e-Transfer Fee unlimited
Pros
  • Great interest rate.
  • $0 monthly fee.
  • Hidden fees: $0.
  • Can move money easily between accounts.
  • Interac e-Transfers are unlimited.
Cons
  • Some standard banking features not available such as overdraft protection, use of ATMs and the option to have paper statements.
  • No physical branches for in-person service.
  • Savings limited to $200,000 per customer.

CI Direct Investing High Rate Savings Account

CI Direct Investing High Rate Savings Account logo

Read review Check my rate
0.5%
Interest Rate
N/A
Promo Rate
$0
Min. Balance
Earn a high interest rate on your savings with no minimum deposit requirements and no monthly fees. Plus, manage your money easily through online-only banking. Transfer your funds to and from your linked accounts at other banks to your CI Direct Investing High Rate Savings Account.
Loan details
Interest Rate 0.5%
Min. Balance $0
Promo Rate 0.5%
Pros
  • Competitive interest rate.
  • $0 monthly fee.
  • No hidden fees.
  • No minimum deposit amount.
  • Unlimited free transactions.
Cons
  • Lower rates than some competitors.
  • Online-only service.

Oaken Savings Account

Oaken Savings Account logo

1.5%
Interest Rate
N/A
Promo Rate
$0
Min. Balance
The Oaken Savings Account comes with an impressive interest rate, $0 monthly fees and unlimited transactions. Link your savings account to an Oaken Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) investment to boost your savings even further. Manage your money easily through online banking and by transferring your funds to and from your linked accounts at other banks.
Loan details
Interest Rate 1.5%
Min. Balance $0
Transaction Fee unlimited
Interac e-Transfer Fee not supported
Pros
  • Solid interest rate.
  • $0 monthly fee.
  • $0 minimum balance.
  • Monthly transactions limit is unlimited.
Cons
  • No in-person service at a branch.
  • Interac e-Transfers are not supported.
  • Limited customer service availability (only available from Monday through Friday from 8am - 8pm. No weekend service available.)
Disclaimer
Please note: All information about Oaken Savings Account has been collected independently by Finder and this product is not available through this site.

Tangerine Savings Account

Tangerine Savings Account logo

Read review
0.1%
Interest Rate
2.1%
Promo Rate
$0
Min. Balance
Tangerine is one of Canada's most established, fully online banks and is known for its straightforward, fee-free banking solutions. You can manage your money conveniently through Tangerine's easy-to-use online personal banking portal.
Loan details
Interest Rate 0.1%
Min. Balance $0
Transaction Fee free and unlimited
Interac e-Transfer Fee free
ATM Out of Network Fee $1.50
Pros
  • $0 monthly fee.
  • All everyday transactions are free and unlimited.
  • Supports an Automatic Savings Program for making recurring deposits into your account.
  • 24/7 customer service phone line.
Cons
  • Regular interest rate may not be as competitive as other savings account rates on this list.
  • No physical branches for in-person service.

Scotiabank MomentumPLUS Savings Account

Scotiabank MomentumPLUS Savings Account logo

Read review
0.1%
Interest Rate
1.2%
Promo Rate
$0
Min. Balance
If you need a little help staying motivated to save, then Scotiabank MomentumPLUS Savings Account might be just what you need. Earn a regular interest rate of 0.1% right away, and enjoy a bonus of up to 1.1% if you consistently contribute to your account over a certain amount of time without withdrawing from it.
Loan details
Interest Rate 0.1%
Min. Balance $0
Transaction Fee You’ll get an additional load of interest at regular intervals within your first year. This payout will occur at 90 days (0.30%), 180 days (0.40%), 270 days (0.50%) and 360 days (0.60%).
ATM Out of Network Fee $1.50
Pros
  • $0
  • $0 minimum balance requirement.
  • In-person service available at Scotiabank branches (note that there may be fees for certain types of teller-assisted services).
Cons
  • It takes some time to earn a higher interest rate.
  • You may be a charged a fee for Interac e-Transfers.
Disclaimer
Please note: All information about Scotiabank MomentumPLUS Savings Account has been collected independently by Finder and this product is not available through this site.

BMO Savings Builder Account

BMO Savings Builder Account logo

0.05%
Interest Rate
0.5%
Promo Rate
$0
Min. Balance
Another good account if you need motivation to save is the BMO Savings Builder Account. Earn a base interest rate of 0.05% regularly, but get up to 0.05% when you increase your savings balance by at least $200 per month on balances up to $250,000. As a BMO customer, you can use online or mobile banking to easily manage your money. Unlike many of the other banks and credit unions on this list, BMO is an established brick-and-mortar bank that offers both online and mobile banking services, so you can get in-person service and financial advice at your local branch.
Loan details
Interest Rate 0.05%
Min. Balance $0
Transaction Fee 1 free transfer out per month
Pros
  • Incentive to save monthly.
  • $0 monthly fee.
  • In-person, online and mobile banking options.
Cons
  • Interest rate is generally not the highest compared to the other savings accounts.
  • You may not be eligible for the bonus interest rate if you don't increase your savings balance by at least $200 per month on balances up to $250,000.
Disclaimer
Please note: All information about BMO Savings Builder Account has been collected independently by Finder and this product is not available through this site.

How to choose the best high interest savings account for you

There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure you choose the best high interest savings account for your needs:

  • Look for a high interest rate. Some banks offer promotions with 2-3% but usually only for a limited period of time or up to a certain amount. Others may pay a flat rate on your total balance. Read the fine print so you know how much you can expect to earn.
  • Investigate potential fees. Read the account’s fee Sschedule to see if you’ll be charged fees for maintaining the account. Bonus tip: most online savings accounts don’t have a monthly fee.
  • Consider accessibility. There are usually several ways to access your savings, including mobile, online and phone banking. Almost all accounts come with ATM cards. Decide how you plan to use your funds and choose an account that aligns with your needs.
  • Look for bonus features. Some savings accounts come with budgeting features. Other come with automatic savings programs to help you reach your goals.

Should I switch to a high interest savings account?

Switching to a high interest savings account can earn you more money with a higher interest rate and save you more money with lower fees. It’s a win-win.

The table below shows how much money you’d earn by switching from a savings account with a 0.01% interest rate to one with a 1%, 2% or 3% rate.

Account balance0.01%1%2%3%First-year benefit (3% vs. 0.01%)
$1,000$0.10$10.05$20.20$30.45$30.35
$5,000$0.50$50.25$101.00$152.27$151.77
$10,000$1.00$100.50$202.01$304.53$303.53
$25,000$2.50$251.25$505.02$761.33$758.83

Pros and cons of a high-interest savings account

If you’re considering a high-interest savings account, consider the following advantages and disadvantages:

Pros

  • Reach your goals faster. If you apply for a high interest savings account that matches your savings style, you can get a head start on reaching your financial goals.
  • Minimal fees. The majority of high-interest savings accounts don’t charge fees for maintaining the account.
  • No risk. Savings accounts are considered one of the safest investments in the financial system, next to a GIC. Most banks are guaranteed by the CDIC which means that eligible deposits are insured up to $100,000 a person, per bank.

Cons

  • Minimum balance requirements. Some high interest savings accounts only pay interest if your balance is above a certain threshold. Know that amount and monitor your balance so that your money is always earning interest.
  • Interest rate changes. Banks can lower their rates for a few reasons. And if your account has a variable interest rate, you may lose out if the federal rate drops. If the rate on your account has changed and you’re not sure why, contact the bank.
  • Transfer time can take a couple of business days. Access could prove troublesome if you suddenly need the money for an important purchase.

Are high interest savings accounts safe?

High interest savings accounts are just as safe as traditional accounts as long as they’re federally insured. If you get an account at a bank, it’ll be CDIC insured. This means you’ll get your money back if the financial institution goes bankrupt.

Bottom line

Opening a high interest savings account can help you take advantage of getting the highest return on your money even when the market rates shift. They’re also a good option if you’re looking to earn more money without losing easy access to your savings in case of an emergency. To get the most out of your account, shop around for the terms and conditions that will save you the most.[/single_call_shortcode]

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