Compare Scotiabank savings account options

High promo interest rates and boosted rates are just some of the features that come with Scotiabank savings accounts. Learn more here and see alternative accounts.

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 accountMonthly feeMinimum balance to earn interestStandard interest ratePromotional rate
Scotia High Interest Savings Account$0$10,0001.5% 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$00.4% No promotion available
Money Master Savings Account$0$00.01% No promotion available
Savings Accelerator Account$0$00.10% - 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.

Scotia High Interest Savings Account

Scotiabank logo
5.00% for 3 months
1.50%
$0
Receive a special welcome promotional interest rate of up to 5.00% for the first 3 months (90 days) when you open your first Scotia High Interest Savings Account. T&Cs apply.
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Why we like it

The Scotia High Interest Savings Account offers a tiered interest rate structure, with high ongoing rates for higher balances. 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.

Pros

  • $0 monthly account fee
  • Earn ongoing rates between 1.5% and 2.2% on balances of $10,000 or more
  • Insured for up to $100,000

Cons

  • Balances under $10,000 do not earn any interest
  • It's possible to earn higher rates with digital bank savings accounts

Scotiabank MomentumPLUS Savings Account

Scotiabank logo
N/A
0.40%
$0
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Why we like it

The Scotiabank MomentumPLUS Savings Account is a high-interest savings account with no monthly fees or minimum balance. You can earn a promotional rate of 0.40% and boost your interest if you leave funds untouched during set premium periods or link an eligible Scotiabank chequing package. It also offers unlimited transfers between Scotiabank accounts, making it convenient for existing customers.

Pros

  • No monthly account fees
  • No minimum balance requirements
  • Unlimited transfers between Scotiabank accounts
  • High promotional interest rates
  • CDIC insured

Cons

  • Premium interest rate requires leaving funds untouched for a chosen period
  • ATM withdrawals aren't available

Scotiabank Money Master Savings Account

Scotiabank logo
0.50%
0.01%
$0
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Why we like it

The Scotiabank Money Master Savings Account is a basic savings account with no monthly fees or minimum balance and unlimited self-service transfers. You earn 0.01% interest on every dollar and optional smart savings tools can help boost your rate to 0.5%. Non-transfer transactions incur a $5 charge, so this account is best for regular savings rather than frequent withdrawals.

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum balance
  • Unlimited transfers between Scotiabank accounts
  • Boosted rates with smart savings tools
  • CDIC insured

Cons

  • $5 transaction fee
  • Low base interest rate

Scotiabank Savings Accelerator Account

Scotiabank logo
N/A
0.10%
$0
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Why we like it

The Scotiabank Savings Accelerator Account is a supplemental savings option that you add to an existing plan, such as a tax-free savings account (TFSA) or registered retirement savings plan (RRSP), rather than opening on its own. It offers no monthly fees or minimum balance and allows you to earn 0.10% - 0.25%. You can make unlimited free internal transfers within the plan, making it easy to manage your savings.

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum balance
  • Can be added to registered or non-registered accounts
  • Unlimited transfers between Scotiabank accounts
  • CDIC insured

Cons

  • Low interest rates
  • Can't be opened as a standalone account
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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:

  1. Head to Scotiabank’s website and compare the three savings account options.
  2. When you choose one, select Open an account, then Apply as a new customer if you don’t have an existing Scotiabank account.
  3. If you’re applying for the Savings Accelerator Account, open a registered plan, like a TFSA or RRSP, first.
  4. Complete the application, which will take about 8 minutes, by providing your personal and contact details.
  5. Verify your identity by taking a photo of an accepted ID and your face, using the Interac verification service or entering your information manually.
  6. 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

Tangerine logo
4.50% for 5 months
0.30%
$0
Earn 4.50% interest for 5 months (on up to $1,000,000 in deposits) when you sign up by November 30, 2026. T&Cs apply.
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Why we like it

The Tangerine Savings Account is a no-fee, online-only savings account that helps you grow your money with an interest rate of 4.50% for 5 months, then 0.30% thereafter. It offers features like an Automated Savings Program to make regular deposits, easy digital banking through the Tangerine app or website and free unlimited transactions. Compared with some of Scotiabank's savings accounts, Tangerine delivers higher interest rates and fewer fees, though it doesn't offer in-branch services. However, it's backed by Scotiabank and provides CDIC insurance.

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum balance requirement
  • Free automatic savings features
  • Unlimited free transactions and transfers
  • Access to Scotiabank's ATM network with a Tangerine chequing account
  • CDIC insured

Cons

  • No physical branches
  • Promotional rate limited to 5 months
EQ Bank logo
N/A
Up to 3.00%
$0
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Why we like it

The EQ Bank Notice Savings Account is an online savings account that offers competitive interest rates of 2.50% - 3.00% when you agree to give 10- or 30-day notice before withdrawing funds. There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements and deposits are CDIC insured. EQ Bank's notice structure allows you to earn a much higher interest rate than Scotiabank offers for any of its savings accounts.

Pros

  • Earn 2.50% - 3.00%
  • No monthly fees or minimum balance
  • Unlimited deposits and withdrawals (with notice)
  • CDIC insured

Cons

  • Funds won't be immediately accessible
  • No in-branch service
Simplii Financial  logo
5.00% for 5 months
0.30%
$0
Earn 5.00% interest for 5 months on up to $100,000 in savings. Offer ends January 31, 2027. T&Cs apply.
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Why we like it

The Simplii High Interest Savings Account is an online savings account offering no monthly fees, no minimum balance and competitive interest rates of 5.00% for 5 months, 0.30% - 1.00% thereafter for the first 5 months then 0.3%–0.7% thereafter. Its promotional rate is comparable to Scotiabank's, but its standard rates are higher and tiered, so the more you save, the more you'll earn.

Pros

  • No monthly fees or minimum balance
  • Competitive interest rates
  • No transaction fees
  • CDIC insured

Cons

  • Promotional rate only lasts 5 months
  • No in-branch service
BMO logo
5.00% for 4 months
0.45%
$0
Earn 5% interest when you open both a BMO Savings Amplifier Account and a BMO Performance, Premium, Plus or Practical Chequing Account. Plus, earn up to a $1,100 opening bonus with the chequing account. Valid until November 30, 2026. T&Cs apply.
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Why we like it

The BMO Savings Amplifier Account is a basic savings account from another one of Canada's Big Five Banks. It offers no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements with a promotional rate of 5% for the first 4 months, then 0.45% thereafter. Its promotional and standard interest rates are higher than Scotiabank's, so this may be a good alternative if you want to stick with a major bank.

Pros

  • No monthly fee or minimum deposit
  • Unlimited self-service transfers between BMO accounts
  • Automated savings features
  • CDIC insured

Cons

  • $5 withdrawal fee
  • A BMO chequing account is required for the promotional rate
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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

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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

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