Scotiabank is one of the largest banks in Canada, offering a variety of personal accounts for saving. Here’s what you need to know about Scotiabank savings account options, including fees, features and how Scotia savings accounts compare.
Compare Scotiabank savings accounts
| Savings account | Monthly fee | Minimum balance to earn interest | Standard interest rate | Promotional rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotia High Interest Savings Account | $0 | $10,000 | 1.5% | Earn up to 5% for the first 3 months when you open your first Scotia High Interest Savings Account. T&Cs apply. |
| MomentumPLUS Savings Account | $0 | $0 | 0.4% | No promotion available |
| Money Master Savings Account | $0 | $0 | 0.01% | No promotion available |
| Savings Accelerator Account | $0 | $0 | 0.10% - 0.25% | Earn a 4% bonus interest rate for 90 days when you open a new TD Savings Account and make a new deposit. Valid until January 29, 2027. |
What is the best Scotiabank savings account?
The Scotia High Interest Savings Account stands out as a top choice for savers looking to earn a high ongoing interest with a major bank. It offers no monthly fees and unlimited transfers between your Scotiabank accounts.
New customers can also take advantage of a promotional interest rate of up to 5.00%. Plus, with CDIC insurance and convenient online access, it’s a safe way to grow your savings without worrying about hidden fees.
It is important to note, however, that it offers 0% interest on balances less than $10,000. So if your savings is less than that cutoff, you should consider a different account that pays interest on every dollar—like the MomentumPLUS Savings Account if you want to stick with Scotiabank, or the EQ Bank Personal Account if you want to look elsewhere.
Advantages of opening a Scotiabank savings account
- No monthly fee. Scotiabank’s Canadian savings accounts don’t have any monthly fees.
- Free transfers. Pay nothing to transfer between your Scotiabank savings account and other Scotiabank accounts.
- Flexible banking. Manage funds 24/7 online or by mobile app, or visit a local Scotiabank branch within operating hours for in-person service.
- Automatic savings plans. Set up recurring, pre-authorized payments into your savings account on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis to steadily grow your funds.
- Mobile cheque deposit. Use your smartphone to scan and digitally deposit cheques into your Scotia savings account.
- Scotiabank direct deposit. Have your paycheque, pension and other funds automatically deposited into your savings account. Get direct deposit information for Scotiabank savings accounts by logging into online banking and selecting Direct Deposits & Payments → Void Cheque → View/Print.
- Free Scotia InfoAlerts. Get notified via mobile app, email or both when important account activity happens.
- CDIC insured. Scotiabank savings accounts are covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. In the unlikely event that Scotiabank becomes insolvent, your funds are insured up to $100,000.
Disadvantages of opening a Scotiabank savings account
- Lower interest rates than online banks. Many traditional Scotiabank savings accounts offer modest interest compared with high-interest online alternatives.
- Fees for additional transactions. While transfers between Scotiabank accounts are free, you’ll have to pay for any additional transactions.
- Limited promotional offers. Scotiabank’s savings accounts don’t offer long-term bonuses or promotional rates.
What other types of savings options does Scotiabank offer?
Scotiabank has a range of specialized accounts, including TFSAs, RRSPs and FHSAs, that can be paired with Scotia iTRADE, letting you hold GICs, mutual funds, ETFs and foreign currency deposits. Scotiabank also provides U.S. dollar and Euro savings accounts, giving you the flexibility to earn interest in multiple currencies while saving or investing.
Check out all the other types of savings options Scotiabank offers:
- Scotia U.S. Dollar Daily Interest Account
- Scotia Euro Savings Account
- Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
- Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
- Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
- Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)
- Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
- First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
Requirements to open a Scotiabank savings account
Scotiabank plans are pretty straightforward to set up. Generally, to apply for a Scotiabank savings account, you’ll need to meet these eligibility requirements and provide the following information:
Age
To open a Scotiabank savings account, you need to be at least the age of majority in your province or territory (18 or 19 years old).
Residency
Applicants for all Scotiabank account types must be residents of Canada. Students and people who are in Canada for work are also welcome to apply.
Identification
Scotiabank lets you securely verify your identity online using information from an existing Canadian bank, including BMO, CIBC, Desjardins, RBC, Scotiabank and TD. The process takes just a few minutes, and you can see what information is being sent to Scotiabank.
If you’re opening an account in person at a local Scotiabank branch, you can provide ID such as a driver’s license issued in Canada, a Canadian passport or a Permanent Resident Card. Learn more about acceptable types of identification here.
Required information
The Scotiabank savings account application process requires the following information:
- First and last name
- Email and primary phone number
- Address
- Birth date
- Purpose of your account (daily banking, emergency fund etc.)
- A password and username (created when you apply)
- Occupation
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)—optional, but helps verify your identity more accurately
- Consent for Scotiabank to verify your identity with a credit bureau. This is required and won’t affect your credit score.
How to open a Scotiabank savings account
You can open a Scotiabank savings account over the phone, online or in a branch. Opening an account online is typically the most convenient option and you can do so by following these steps:
- Head to Scotiabank’s website and compare the three savings account options.
- When you choose one, select Open an account, then Apply as a new customer if you don’t have an existing Scotiabank account.
- If you’re applying for the Savings Accelerator Account, open a registered plan, like a TFSA or RRSP, first.
- Complete the application, which will take about 8 minutes, by providing your personal and contact details.
- Verify your identity by taking a photo of an accepted ID and your face, using the Interac verification service or entering your information manually.
- Double-check all your details and submit your application. When you’re approved, you’ll receive your account details by mail.
Alternative to opening a savings account with Scotiabank
Although Scotiabank’s savings accounts offer no monthly fees and no minimum balance, you may want to explore other options to earn higher interest rates. Digital banks can be a great alternative as they often provide higher interest rates since they operate with lower overhead costs. Many also come with no monthly fees, no transaction charges and no minimum balance requirements, making them a convenient and cost-effective option for both short-term and long-term savings.
Some top alternatives to Scotiabank savings accounts
Bottom line
Scotiabank savings accounts offer low-fee, flexible options for growing your money with a major bank. The MomentumPlus account stands out with high promotional rates, unlimited transfers and multiple ways to boost interest, while the Money Master and Savings Accelerator accounts suit basic or supplementary savings. These accounts come with CDIC insurance, online and in-branch access and tools like automated savings plans and mobile deposits. But if you want higher returns, you may want to consider one of the best online banks in Canada.
Frequently asked questions about Scotiabank savings accounts
-
Scotiabank's three standard savings accounts have no minimum balance requirements.
-
If you're looking for a Scotiabank high-interest savings account, consider the Scotia High Interest Savings Account. Balances between $0 and $10,000 will earn 0% interest. Balances above that will earn a standard interest rate of 1.5%–2.2%, plus a bonus rate boost to bring the total possible interest rate to 5.00% for 3 months, based on the total balance between all eligible Scotiabank savings accounts. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly.
Another option is to open the Scotiabank MomentumPLUS Savings Account, which pays interest ranging from 0.2% to 0.45%.
-
Scotiabank doesn't offer a dedicated savings account for seniors, but its standard savings accounts have no monthly fees, making them accessible for anyone to use.
-
To access your Scotiabank bank statement, log in to Scotia OnLine. Under the settings icon, select Online Statements. Select the bank account and month for which you'd like to view your account activity. From here, you can view, download and print your statement. Make sure you enable pop-ups on your browser.
-
To get direct deposit information for Scotiabank, log in to online banking, select your savings account, then select Direct Deposits & Payments. Navigate to Void Cheque. Select View/Print. This will provide you with your account details for direct deposit into your Scotiabank savings account.
-
Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.
Rebecca Low is a writer for Finder. She has contributed to a range of digital publications, including Wise, income.ca and Indeed, writing on topics like personal finance, career development, and travel. See full bio
Read more on Savings Accounts
-
Scotia High Interest Savings Account – Get a $80 Gift Card
Finder | Scotia High Interest Savings Account May $80 gift card reward.
-
Scotia High Interest Savings Account review
Your guide to the rates, fees, balance requirements and eligibility of this high-interest account from Scotiabank.
-
Scotia Euro Savings Account review
Deposit your savings in euros with this cross-border account.
-
Scotia U.S. Dollar Daily Interest Account review
Earn interest when you deposit your savings in US dollars with this cross-border account.
-
Scotiabank Money Master Savings Account Review
Earn interest on your savings and get free Scotiabank transfers when you sign up for this fee-free account.
-
Scotiabank Savings Accelerator Account Review
This savings account comes with no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement, but the interest rate is fairly modest.
-
Scotiabank MomentumPLUS Savings Account review
Your guide to the interest rate, fees, benefits and drawbacks of the Scotiabank MomentumPLUS Savings Account.