Everyday Value

Featured Chequing Accounts

Featured
KOHO logo

KOHO

Account Details

Monthly Fee: $18.00

Interest Rate: 2.50%

Special Offer
Join KOHO’s 10 Years of Groceries Giveaway for a limited time. New users who sign up and fund their KOHO account can be entered for a chance to win $500/month for 10 years — a total prize value of $60,000. Contest ends July 31, 2026. No purchase necessary. Terms apply.
Key Features
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Earn interest
  • Discount on Credit Building
  • Early Payroll Direct Deposit
Featured
Neo Financial logo

Neo Financial

Account Details

Monthly Fee: None

Interest Rate: 3.00%

Special Offer
Earn 3%* interest to grow your savings. Reach your savings goals faster.
Key Features
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Unlimited Transactions
  • Joint Account Option
  • No minimum balance
Featured
KOHO logo

KOHO

Account Details

Monthly Fee: $18.00

Interest Rate: 2.50%

Special Offer
For a limited time Join KOHO’s 10 Years of Groceries Giveaway. New users who sign up and fund their KOHO account can be entered for a chance to win $500/month for 10 years — a total prize value of $60,000. Contest ends July 31, 2026. No purchase necessary. Terms apply.
Key Features
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Earn interest
  • Discount on Credit Building
  • Early Payroll Direct Deposit
Featured
KOHO logo

KOHO

Account Details

Monthly Fee: $22.00

Interest Rate: 3.50%

Special Offer
Join KOHO’s 10 Years of Groceries Giveaway for a limited time. New users who sign up and fund their KOHO account can be entered for a chance to win $500/month for 10 years — a total prize value of $60,000. Contest ends July 31, 2026. No purchase necessary. Terms apply.
Key Features
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Earn interest
  • Discount on Credit Building
  • Early Payroll Direct Deposit
High Yield Picks

Featured Savings Accounts

Featured
Neo Financial logo

Neo Financial

Account Details

Monthly Fee: None

Interest Rate: 3.00%

Special Offer
Earn 3%* interest to grow your savings. Reach your savings goals faster.
Key Features
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Unlimited Transactions
  • Joint Account Option
  • No minimum balance
Featured
Neo Financial logo

Neo Financial

Account Details

Monthly Fee: None

Interest Rate: 0.10%

Special Offer
Earn up to 15% cashback¹ when you shop with Neo partners. Instant access to your virtual Neo Money™ card, accepted anywhere Mastercard is.
Key Features
  • No Monthly Fees
  • Unlimited Transactions
  • Free Interac e-Transfers
  • No minimum balance
Featured
KOHO logo

KOHO

Account Details

Monthly Fee: $22.00

Interest Rate: 3.50%

Special Offer
Join KOHO’s 10 Years of Groceries Giveaway for a limited time. New users who sign up and fund their KOHO account can be entered for a chance to win $500/month for 10 years — a total prize value of $60,000. Contest ends July 31, 2026. No purchase necessary. Terms apply.
Key Features
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Earn interest
  • Discount on Credit Building
  • Early Payroll Direct Deposit
Featured
KOHO logo

KOHO

Account Details

Monthly Fee: None

Interest Rate: 2.00%

Special Offer
Join KOHO’s 10 Years of Groceries Giveaway for a limited time. New users who sign up and fund their KOHO account can be entered for a chance to win $500/month for 10 years — a total prize value of $60,000. Contest ends July 31, 2026. No purchase necessary. Terms apply.
Key Features
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Discount on Credit Building
  • Early Payroll Direct Deposit
  • Cash Advance up to $250

Know Your TFSA Room

Your contribution room is more than just this year's limit. It's a cumulative total that grows every year you're eligible.

Use this tool for a clear, personalized breakdown and find out exactly how much you can contribute today, tax-free.

Your Details
You must be 18 or older to open a TFSA.
$
$
Your Contribution Room
Total Unused Room (as of Jan 1)
$0

Year-by-Year Breakdown
YearLimitCumulative

Supercharge Your Savings

Use government-registered plans to grow your money tax-free or tax-deferred.

Tax-Free Savings Account

Grow your money completely tax-free. Perfect for almost any savings goal.

Registered Retirement Savings Plan

Save for retirement with tax-deductible contributions to grow your nest egg tax-deferred.

First Home Savings Account

The ultimate tool for first-time home buyers, combining a tax deduction with tax-free growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your top banking questions, answered by the Ratebuddy team.

Think of it like your wallet vs. your piggy bank. A **chequing account** is your digital wallet, designed for daily transactions like paying bills and debit purchases. A **savings account** is your piggy bank, designed to hold and grow your money by earning interest. For the best results, keep your daily spending money in a chequing account and move the rest to a high-interest savings account to maximize your earnings.

For daily banking, yes! Most no-fee accounts offered by digital banks and credit unions have no monthly maintenance fee and offer unlimited free transactions and e-Transfers. However, they may still charge for non-standard transactions like wire transfers, bank drafts, or using another bank's ATM. Always check the account's fee schedule for these specific services.

It's all about when you pay the tax. With an **RRSP**, you get a tax deduction now (pay less tax today) but pay tax on withdrawals in retirement. It's for long-term retirement savings. With a **TFSA**, you contribute with after-tax money, but all the growth and withdrawals are completely tax-free. It's a flexible account for any savings goal.

In a **GIC**, your principal investment is guaranteed and typically insured by the CDIC (Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation) up to $100,000. You cannot lose your initial investment. A **TFSA** is just a tax-free "container." If you hold a GIC or a savings account inside it, your money is safe. If you hold stocks inside it, you can absolutely lose money if the market goes down.

It's easier than ever! Many banks, especially digital banks, have streamlined online applications. The biggest task is updating your pre-authorized payments (like your gym membership or car insurance) and your direct deposit with your employer. While it takes an hour or two of work, switching to a no-fee, high-interest account can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.

Digital banks have very low overhead costs because they don't operate expensive physical branches. They pass these savings directly on to you in the form of no monthly fees and higher interest rates on savings accounts.

A First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is the most powerful savings tool for aspiring Canadian homeowners. It's a "super account" that combines the best of both an RRSP (your contributions are tax-deductible) and a TFSA (your investment growth and withdrawals for a home purchase are tax-free). If you are saving for your first home, this should be your number one savings vehicle. Explore FHSA accounts.

Yes. All federally regulated banks in Canada, including digital banks like Tangerine and Simplii, are members of the CDIC, which insures your deposits up to $100,000 per category. Provincial credit unions, like ATB Financial here in Calgary, have similar deposit insurance guarantees, which are often unlimited. Your money is just as safe as it would be at a major bank.

Generally, no. Standard chequing and savings accounts are not credit products, so opening or closing them does not impact your credit score. However, applying for an overdraft protection feature on your chequing account often involves a "hard inquiry" on your credit report, which can cause a small, temporary dip in your score.

A RRIF (Registered Retirement Income Fund) is the "income phase" of your RRSP. By the end of the year you turn 71, you must convert your RRSP into a RRIF. You can no longer contribute to it; instead, you must begin withdrawing a minimum amount each year as retirement income. The investments inside, like GICs, continue to grow tax-deferred.

A Tip from Buddy

I've been squirreling away some secrets for you! The single biggest mistake Canadians make is keeping their savings in a big bank's default account.

Digital banks and credit unions often offer interest rates 20, 30, or even 50 times higher. Moving your emergency fund to a high-interest account is the fastest way to get free money and beat inflation. It's like finding a hidden stash of the best acorns!

Free Expert Guide

Master Your Bank Accounts

From your first no-fee chequing account to advanced TFSA and RRSP strategies, our comprehensive 2025 guide is the only resource you need to navigate Canadian banking with confidence.

Read the Ultimate Guide