Best High-Interest Savings Accounts Canada 2026

Canada's top HISA rates compared. EQ Bank leads at 3.75% โ€” 75ร— more than the Big 5 banks. Updated March 2026.

๐Ÿ† EQ Bank: 3.75% โœ… KOHO: 3.0% โš ๏ธ Big 5 Banks: 0.01โ€“0.05%

Rates current as of March 2026 ยท Sorted by standard ongoing rate (not promo) ยท All accounts CDIC or provincial CU insured

#1 BEST RATE
EQ Bank Personal Account
3.75% โ˜…
Why It Wins

EQ Bank's standard rate of 3.75% is the highest of any major Canadian savings account with no minimum balance and no fees. The account also functions as a hybrid chequing/savings โ€” you can pay bills, send e-transfers, and get a physical card.

Monthly Fee

$0

Min. Balance

$0

Deposit Insurance

CDIC ($100K/cat)

#2
Oaken Financial Savings Account
3.40%
About Oaken

Oaken Financial is the online arm of Home Bank and Home Trust. Consistently offers one of the highest standard savings rates in Canada. No promotional trickery โ€” the 3.40% is the ongoing standard rate.

Monthly Fee

$0

Min. Balance

$0

Deposit Insurance

CDIC ($100K/cat)

#3
Achieva Financial (Cambrian CU)
3.20%
About Achieva

Achieva Financial is the online banking division of Cambrian Credit Union (Manitoba). Offers competitive HISA rates and GICs to Manitoba credit union deposit members with unlimited provincial insurance.

Monthly Fee

$0

Min. Balance

$0

Deposit Insurance

CUDIC MB (unlimited)

#4 BEST EVERYDAY ACCOUNT
KOHO Savings Daily + Savings
3.0%
Why KOHO Stands Out

KOHO is unique: it pays 3.0% interest on your spending account balance โ€” not a separate savings bucket. You earn interest on every dollar the moment it hits your account, while also getting cashback on purchases and $0 fees. No other account combines daily banking + 3% interest + cashback.

Monthly Fee

$0

Min. Balance

$0

Deposit Insurance

CDIC ($100K/cat)

#5
Simplii Financial High-Interest Savings
0.40%
About Simplii HISA

Simplii's HISA offers 0.40% standard (with frequent promo rates of 4โ€“5% for 5 months for new deposits). If you can time the promotions, it's competitive. Otherwise, EQ Bank or Oaken are better for ongoing rate.

Monthly Fee

$0

Min. Balance

$0

Deposit Insurance

CDIC ($100K/cat)

#6
Tangerine Savings Account
0.10%
About Tangerine

Tangerine's standard HISA rate is 0.10% โ€” low compared to EQ Bank or KOHO. However, Tangerine regularly offers 3โ€“5% promotional rates for 5 months on new deposits. If you plan to move money often, the promotions can add up.

Monthly Fee

$0

Min. Balance

$0

Deposit Insurance

CDIC ($100K/cat)

BIG 5 COMPARISON
Big 5 Banks (RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC)
0.01โ€“0.05%
Standard Savings Rate

0.01โ€“0.05% โ€” effectively $0 interest on everyday savings balances. On a $100 balance, you earn $1โ€“$5/year. KOHO at 3.0% earns $300/year on the same balance.

Monthly Fee (Savings)

$0โ€“$5

CDIC Insured

Yes

Best Feature

Branch access, mortgage bundling, GIC offers

๐Ÿ’ฐ How Much More Could You Earn?

AccountAnnual RateYear 1 Interest3-Year Total

โš ๏ธ Watch Out for Promotional Rates

Many banks advertise eye-catching 4โ€“5% rates that only last 3โ€“5 months for new deposits. After the promo ends, the rate reverts to 0.10% or lower. EQ Bank and Oaken Financial offer competitive standard ongoing rates โ€” no promotional gimmicks. Always check the post-promo rate before opening an account.

Full HISA Rate Comparison 2026

AccountStandard RatePromo RateMonthly FeeMin BalanceInsurance
EQ Bank3.75%N/A$0NoneCDIC
Oaken Financial3.40%N/A$0NoneCDIC
Achieva Financial3.20%N/A$0NoneCUDIC MB (unlimited)
KOHO3.0%N/A$0NoneCDIC
Simplii HISA0.40%4โ€“5% (5 mo)$0NoneCDIC
Tangerine Savings0.10%3โ€“5% (5 mo)$0NoneCDIC
RBC HISA0.10%Varies$0โ€“$5VariesCDIC
TD HISA0.05%Varies$0NoneCDIC
BMO Savings Builder0.05%Varies$0NoneCDIC
Scotiabank0.01%Varies$0NoneCDIC

Want the Best of Both Worlds?

Use EQ Bank for pure savings (3.75%) and KOHO for daily spending (3.0% + cashback). Together, they beat any single account. Get KOHO's $100 signup bonus with code 45ET55JSYA.

Get KOHO Free + $100 Bonus โ†’

HISA FAQ

What is the best HISA rate in Canada right now?
As of March 2026, EQ Bank offers the best standard HISA rate in Canada at 3.75% โ€” with no minimum balance, no fees, and no promotional expiry. Oaken Financial (3.40%) and Achieva Financial (3.20%) are strong runners-up. KOHO offers 3.0% on its hybrid spending/savings account.
Are high-interest savings accounts safe in Canada?
Yes. EQ Bank, Oaken, Achieva, KOHO, Simplii, and Tangerine all have deposits insured by CDIC or provincial credit union deposit insurance. Your savings are just as safe at a digital bank as at a Big 5 bank, as long as the institution is CDIC-member or provincial CU insured.
Should I put my emergency fund in a HISA?
Yes โ€” a HISA is ideal for an emergency fund. You earn a competitive interest rate while keeping the money accessible (no GIC lock-in). EQ Bank (3.75%) or KOHO (3.0%) are the best options. Avoid locking emergency funds in GICs, which have early redemption penalties.
Is interest in a HISA taxable?
Yes. Interest earned in a regular (non-registered) HISA is fully taxable as income in the year it's received. To shelter interest from tax, hold your HISA inside a TFSA. Both EQ Bank and KOHO offer TFSA accounts where interest grows tax-free.
What's the difference between a HISA and a GIC?
A HISA is a savings account with no lock-in โ€” you can withdraw anytime. A GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) locks your money for a fixed term (30 days to 5 years) in exchange for a guaranteed rate. GIC rates are typically 0.5โ€“1% higher than HISA rates. For money you might need within 12 months, use a HISA. For money you can commit to for 1โ€“5 years, GICs are better.