EQ Bank, Oaken, Neo Financial, and more — find the highest rates with CDIC protection
High-interest savings accounts (HISAs) are a risk-free way to earn meaningful returns on your cash. Unlike chequing accounts that pay 0%, HISAs offer rates that can approach or exceed the Bank of Canada's policy rate. The catch: the best rates come from digital-first banks, not the Big Six.
| Bank | HISA Rate | CDIC Insured | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EQ Bank | ~3.00–3.50%* | Yes | No minimum, no fees |
| Oaken Financial | ~3.00–3.40%* | Yes (Home Trust) | No minimum |
| Neo Financial | ~2.25–3.00%* | Yes (ATB Financial) | No minimum |
| Tangerine | ~1.00–2.50%* (promo) | Yes (Scotiabank) | Promotional rates for new money |
| Simplii Financial | ~0.40–1.00%* | Yes (CIBC) | Lower than digital-only banks |
| Motusbank | ~2.50–3.25%* | Yes (CUDIC) | Credit union — CDIC equivalent |
| KOHO | ~2.50–3.00%* | Yes | Earn on every dollar, no fees |
*Rates are approximate and change frequently. Always verify directly with the institution before opening an account.
EQ Bank (Equitable Bank) consistently offers some of the highest non-promotional savings rates in Canada. Unlike promotional rates that expire after 3–6 months, EQ Bank's everyday rate applies to all balances without conditions. There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and no limits on withdrawals.
The EQ Bank Card allows you to spend directly from your savings account while earning interest on your full balance, eliminating the need for a separate chequing account for many users. EQ Bank also offers US dollar accounts, GICs, and notice accounts for higher rates.
EQ Bank is a federally regulated bank and a member of CDIC, providing deposit insurance up to $100,000 per depositor per insured category.
Oaken Financial is the direct-to-consumer arm of Home Trust Company. It offers some of the most competitive HISA and GIC rates in Canada, consistently landing in the top 3 for savings rates. Oaken is ideal for savers who want a straightforward, no-frills online savings account.
Deposits at Oaken are held at Home Trust Company, which is CDIC insured. This provides the standard $100,000 CDIC deposit insurance per insured category. Oaken does not offer a debit card or chequing account — it is purely a savings and GIC vehicle. Transfers out take 1–3 business days.
Neo Financial is a Calgary-based fintech offering the Neo Money account, which functions as a combined high-interest savings and spending account. The account earns interest on all balances and provides a Mastercard for purchases, including cashback at participating retailers.
Neo deposits are held at ATB Financial (a provincially regulated Alberta bank) and insured by the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Alberta. Neo has grown rapidly and offers some of the cleanest app experiences in Canadian banking.
A HISA offers flexibility — your money is accessible any time with no penalty. A GIC (Guaranteed Investment Certificate) locks your money for a fixed term (30 days to 5 years) in exchange for a guaranteed, often higher, rate.
The right choice depends on your timeline: if you might need the funds within 6 months, keep them in a HISA. If you won't need the money for 1–5 years, GICs typically offer 0.25–0.75% more per year.
A GIC laddering strategy — spreading funds across 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year GICs — balances rate optimization with liquidity. Every year, one GIC matures and you can reinvest at current rates.
The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) insures eligible deposits up to $100,000 per depositor per insured category at member institutions. The six insured categories include: deposits in your own name, joint deposits, RRSP deposits, RRIF deposits, TFSA deposits, and deposits for a trust beneficiary.
This means a single person could be insured for up to $600,000 at one CDIC member bank ($100,000 per category × 6 categories). Large savers should also consider spreading funds across multiple CDIC members or using CDIC-equivalent provincial deposit insurers (like the DGCCFM in Quebec or CUDIC in Alberta).