Wondering where to keep an emergency fund in Canada? Here are the best savings accounts to hold emergency funds, and how much should be in an emergency fund.
Saving rainy day funds for emergencies like car and home repairs or healthcare can help you stay out of debt and have peace of mind. An emergency fund can help you by creating your own safety net to fall on when the unexpected happens. But how much should be in an emergency fund in Canada? The 2019 Canadian Financial Capability survey reports that just over two thirds of Canadians have an emergency fund sufficient to cover 3 months’ worth of expenses.
Read our guide below to learn where to keep an emergency fund in Canada and the best savings accounts to hold an emergency fund to help your savings grow so you’re ready for the day you might need them.
To determine this best list, Finder Canada analyzed 22 savings accounts across 22 financial institutions. We compared accounts from traditional banks, digital banks, fintechs and credit unions. We narrowed down the list of accounts to the top 10 by listing accounts that are available Canada-wide.
We ranked accounts based on 15 data points within five major categories. Here’s how we ranked and weighted each product:
Perks: 40% (Ongoing and promotional interest rates, return on $10,000 balance over 1 year, other tailored rewards)
The EQ Bank Notice Savings Account offers one of the highest on-going interest rates in Canada on a savings account. You'll earn up to 2.85% - 3.00% on your savings. Plus, if you're looking to save with a family member, you can apply for a Joint account.
$0 account fee
$0 transactions
Earn 2.85% - 3.00% interest on your balance
No physical branches for in-person service
Some standard banking features not available such as overdraft protection, use of ATMs and the option to have paper statements
The Simplii High Interest Savings Account is a powerful account to accelerate your emergency fund savings, especially since they offer one of the best promotional offers in Canada. It earns a high promo rate of 3.7% interest for 7 months (and 0.3% thereafter). With a $0 account fee and $0 transactions, you can look forward to saving more of your hard earned money.
The Scotiabank MomentumPLUS Savings Account offers a high interest rate - especially if you take advantage of the promo rate and the tiered interest rates. Earn a savings rate of up to 5% for 3 months. Plus, enjoy free unlimited transfers between Scotiabank accounts.
$0 account fee
Earn up to 5.00% for 3 months, 0.55% thereafter interest on your deposits
$0 Interac eTransfers
You’ll get an additional load of interest at regular intervals within your first year.
$2 out-of-network ATM withdrawal fee
It takes some time to earn a higher interest rate with this tiered interest rate account
KOHO offers an online savings and spending account with a host of added perks. You can earn 2.5% interest on your savings. You also get a linked reloadable prepaid Mastercard that you can use to make purchases, and also earn cashback on your spending. KOHO also offers a suite of budgeting tools to help you track your spending and save more money, plus it provides access to a line of credit that you can use to build your credit history.
$0 transactions and eTransfers
Earn cash back
Earn on your savings
KOHO is an online only digital bank
You'll need to upgrade to a higher cost plan to earn more interest and cashback
The Neo Everyday Account allows you to spend, save, and earn from one account. You'll earn interest on your savings and there are no minimum deposit requirements, account fees or transaction fees. Download the Neo app and sign up in a matter of minutes, all from the comfort of your own home.
Hybrid account that works like a chequing and savings account
High ongoing interest rate
Free unlimited transactions
No minimum balance
No account fee
Online only with no physical branches
Doesn't come with a debit card, though does come with the Neo Money Card
The RBC High Interest eSavings Account is a good fit for customers who want to bank online and would like to earn a high interest rate on their savings. It offers no minimum deposit requirements, zero monthly fees, free RBC transfers and one free ATM withdrawal per month.
The Wealthsimple Cash is a no-fee account with all the benefits of a high interest savings account, however it also functions as a chequing account. Perks include earning 1.75% to 2.75% interest (depending on how much money you hold in your account), being able to access your pay a day early, CDIC deposit insurance of up to $1,000,000 and the ability to earn 1% back in stock, crypto or cash when you make a purchase with your card. With easy withdrawals, you can quickly access your money in case of an emergency.
You'll earn 4.50% for 5 months, then 0.30% thereafter on your savings, and then an on-going interest rate of 0.3%. Tangerine also offer on-going higher interest rates for existing customers, which means you can occasionally accelerate your savings with a higher interest rate.
$0 account fee
$0 transactions
N/A Interac eTransfers
Earn 4.50% for 5 months, then 0.30% thereafter interest on your balance, and 0.3% thereafter
Earn 2.00% interest when you save at least $200 per month. Setting up automatic deposits here will ensure that you reach this goal each month and maximize the amount of interest you can make on your emergency fund. As a BMO customer, you can use online or mobile banking to easily manage your money.
$0 account fee
Earn up to 0.95% interest
Bank in person, online or via mobile app
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.
While you'll be able to take advantage of a promotional interest rate of 5% for 3 months when you open a new account, the CIBC eAdvantage Savings Account also comes with the ability to earn additional 'Smart Interest' when you save at least $200 per month. This can help accelerate your emergency fund savings.
Earn a promotional interest rate of 5% for 3 months
Earn additional Smart Interest
Lower ongoing rate of 0.25% once the promo ends
Each transaction costs you $5.00
Min. Age
N/A
Account Fee
$0
Transaction Fee
$5.00
Interac e-Transfer Fee
$5.00
What is an emergency fund?
An emergency fund is a financial safety net you can rely on if a major unexpected event happens in your life. When not being used, it can also help you earn interest and reach your financial goals. Unlike rainy day funds that are meant for smaller, one-off expenses, an emergency fund is there to help in significant times of crisis. People commonly use emergency funds for:
Job loss
Major illness or injury
Major home repairs caused by natural disasters
When should I use my emergency savings?
Emergency funds should be used for major emergencies and not for expenses you forgot to plan for like birthday gifts, property taxes, etc. If you can answer “yes” to these two questions, it’s most likely an emergency.
Is this an urgent expense?
Was it completely unexpected?
5 steps to build an emergency fund
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to start an emergency fund, or rainy day fund.
Create a budget. You won’t know how much you’ll need to save each month for your emergency fund until you know how much you spend each month. That starts with creating a budget and tracking your bills, expenses and spending.
Decide how much to save. If you’re just starting your emergency fund, set a smaller goal of $500 or $1,000. Once you get there, you can set a higher goal of three to six months’ of expenses, depending on your needs. Determine how much to set aside each month to reach this goal.
Decide where you’ll keep your money. There are several types of accounts you can use for your emergency fund. Start out with a high-yield savings account from a digital or online bank first, then decide if you’d like to move some of your savings into stocks once you’ve saved a nice buffer. Just note that you won’t want to move all your funds into a stocks, as you may pay a penalty when you try to access your money for emergencies. Keep all or most of your emergency fund in an accessible place.
Automate your savings. Setup your bank accounts so that part of your paycheque automatically gets transferred to your emergency fund each time you get paid. For example, digital banks like Monzo let you automatically round up your debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and deposit the difference to your bank account. Other banks may let you transfer a percentage of your paycheque straight to savings. If money is tight, start with a small amount like 5%, then work your way up. No amount is too small to start saving.
Save away unexpected money. Boost your emergency fund by saving any extra money you receive throughout the year, such as birthday or holiday money, work bonuses, tax refunds, credit or debit card rewards and so on.
How much should I have in an emergency fund?
A general rule of thumb is to save between 3 to 6 month’s worth of expenses, while some experts suggest saving for up to 1 year. However, how much you can contribute depends on your income, expenses and financial goals among other factors.
You can start a small emergency fund with as little a few hundred dollars, which may come in handy for things like unexpected car repairs, pet emergencies or other essentials.
3 ways to calculate for an emergency fund
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to calculating your emergency fund. Here are three possible methods to determine how much you need to tuck away for a rainy day.
Base method. With this method, you’d need to put away $500 to $1,000 for a few of the most common unexpected expenses like care repairs and medical expenses.
Monthly method. Estimate your daily living expenses for one month. Multiply that amount by three or six months to have a nice cushion in your emergency fund. If your income is unstable, consider saving enough to cover expenses for six months or more.
Dave Ramsey’s emergency fund. Dave Ramsey, a finance radio show host and author, combines the base and monthly method. He recommends starting with $700 in your emergency fund until you’ve paid off all of your consumer debt. Then, beef up your fund by saving three to six months’ worth of expenses.
Example: Emergency fund monthly method calculation
Here’s how much you might put away using the monthly method after breaking down your monthly expenses:
Category
Expenses
Rent
$1,000
Groceries
$450
Dining out
$350
Car loan
$200
Utilities
$150
Miscellaneous expenses
$150
Car insurance
$100
Cell phone bill
$75
Car fuel
$50
Subscriptions
$30
Total expenses
$2,555
If your goal is to have three months’ worth of expenses stored away, you’d need $7,620 ($2,540 x 3) in your emergency fund. For a more conservative savings plan of six months, you’d need $15,240 ($2,540 x 6).
What if I’m living paycheque-to-paycheque?
If money is tight, it might be hard to find some extra cash to support your emergency fund. Instead, focus on what you can save, rather than what you should save. Here are a 4 tips to try to expedite your savings goals:
Evaluate your monthly budget. Take a hard look at your spending and see if there are any areas that you can slim down on your budget. Reallocate those funds toward savings.
Try different savings strategies. Experiment with different savings challenges to find a technique that works for you. For example, the $5 savings trick is to pay for everything in cash and stash away any $5 that you get back in change.
Open an interest-earning account. A high-yield savings account rewards you for saving. The more you have in your bank account, the more interest you’ll accumulate.
Emergency fund pros and cons
Having an emergency fund comes with a host of benefits, but there are also a few caveats to keep in mind.
Pros
Gives you a safety net. An emergency fund reduces your chances of having to take on more debt when an unexpected expense pops up.
Reduces stress. Have peace of mind knowing you have money waiting if you lose your job, develop a serious illness or need to make major home or car repairs.
Helps your credit score. An emergency fund doesn’t directly improve your credit. But it does help you avoid maxing out on credit cards and worrying about missing payments if hard times hit — two factors that can lower your score.
Cons
Takes time to build. It could take months or years to build up your emergency fund. You can speed up the process by saving unexpected money and using a budget to reduce expenses. If you need money now, consider an emergency loan as a last resort.
Potential withdrawal limits. There may also be limits on how much money you can withdraw at one time.
Doesn’t work for all account types. Avoid keeping your emergency fund in an account where you’ll get penalized for accessing it early. Instead, opt for a high-yield savings account from a digital or online bank where you’ll have easier access to it.
How to compare the best emergency fund savings accounts for rainy day funds
Consider these factors when you’re comparing savings accounts for your emergency fund:
Does the account offer online or mobile access to manage your money and view account activity? How robust is their mobile banking app? Compare our top 5 banking apps here.
How can you reach customer service if you need help with your account? If the bank is purely online, is their customer service 24/7 by phone or live chat?
Does the account pay a competitive interest rate?
Can you easily make withdrawals through transfers or with an ATM card?
Does this bank account charge monthly or service fees that could eat into your balance?
Find out how much you’re required to deposit or maintain when you open the account.
Compare more savings accounts to use for an emergency fund
1 - 6 of 39
Finder Score for savings accounts
To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, account fees and features across 50+ savings accounts and 25+ lenders are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the account - simple.
Savings accounts are the most common place to park an emergency fund, but there are alternatives. If you’re looking for a nontraditional place to store your money or want to build an additional reserve beyond a standard emergency fund, consider these other options:
Cashable GICs
Cashable GICs are an effective way to save for retirement but they can also be used as an emergency fund or safety net if you sign-up for a cashable GIC. Cashable GICs will let you take out your money anytime without a penalty.
Cash-value life insurance
Life insurance is a financial product that’s good to have, but never fun to think about. A cash value policy can protect your family if you die, but you can borrow from the policy if you need access to cash. You’re not required to pay back these loans, but they affect the balance your beneficiaries receive when you die.
Tax-free savings accounts
Tax-free savings acccounts allow you to deposit up to $6,000 per year without paying capital gains taxes on anything you’ve earned, and far more if you haven’t yet opened a TFSA. This contribution room accumulates every year just like a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), meaning that any unused room is carried over to subsequent years.
Bottom line on saving for a rainy day
Finding a savings account that offers a high interest rate and low or no fees can help you grow your emergency fund quicker. Consider any of these savings accounts or compare your options to find another account that suits your needs.
Emergency fund FAQs
An emergency fund is money set aside for emergencies such as car repairs, medical bills or living expenses. It can come in handy if unexpected expenses pop up or if you lose your job and need to cover living expenses while you look for new employment.
You can build an emergency fund just like you'd save for any other financial goal. First, determine how much you want to save, then make an initial deposit or recurring contributions into the account until you reach your goal. Read our 5 easy steps to building an emergency fund.
Yes. Just keep in mind that some investments might take longer to withdraw when you need cash.
It's up to you. Many people use their emergency funds for large, unexpected bills like car repairs, vet bills or home improvements, but you can access your funds whenever you see fit.
Peter Carleton is a freelance writer that covers banking and investing, breaking down what you need to know about where you put your money. When Peter's not thinking about cutting-edge banking apps and robo-advisors, he runs a creative agency and spends his spare time cooking or reading. See full bio
Emma Balmforth is a producer at Finder. She is passionate about helping people make financial decisions that will benefit them now and in the future. She has written for a variety of publications including World Nomads, Trek Effect and Uncharted. Emma has a degree in Business and Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She enjoys backpacking, reading and taking long hikes and road trips with her adventurous dog. See full bio
Savings account interest is taxable in Canada. Find out how taxation works and how to minimize what you owe.
Advertiser disclosure
Finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Finder receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. Finder compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
How likely would you be to recommend Finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
