Ratehub’s 2026 Personal Finance Awards

Best high interest savings account - EQ Bank Personal Account

For the second year in a row, our best high interest savings account winner is EQ Bank, standing out for its consistently strong rates and flexible, fee-free structure. With the EQ Bank Personal Account, savers can earn one of the most competitive returns in Canada and even boost their rate by setting up direct deposit. It’s a straightforward way to grow your savings while keeping your money fully accessible online. This account comes with:

• No monthly fees
• No minimum balance requirements
• Free transfers for withdrawals and deposits
• CDIC insurance to cover your balance

Best 1 year Non-Registered GIC - MCAN Wealth

MCAN Wealth takes the top spot this year for the best 1 year non-registered GIC, offering one of the highest short-term rates available and an accessible, easy-to-open product that helps Canadians grow their savings securely. This account includes:

• $100 minimum investment
• CDIC insurance coverage

Best 5 year Non-Registered GIC - MCAN Wealth

MCAN Wealth also earns the win in the best 5 year non-registered GIC category, recognized for providing some of the most competitive long-term rates on the market. With dependable growth and a straightforward investing experience, it’s a strong choice for savers focused on stable, guaranteed returns. This account offers:

• $100 minimum investment
• CDIC insurance coverage

Best 1 year Registered GIC - Oaken Financial

Oaken Financial holds onto its title as the top choice for best 1 year registered GICs, once again standing out for offering some of the most competitive short-term rates in Canada. Backed by Home Bank and powered by Home Trust Company, Oaken combines strong returns with the peace of mind that comes from a trusted financial institution. This account comes with: 

• CDIC insurance coverage
• No fees
• $1,000 minimum investment requirement
• Easy to use digital app

Best 5 year Registered GIC - Oaken Financial

For long-term savers, Oaken Financial takes the win as our best 5 year registered GIC provider. Known for its consistently high rates and reliable service, Oaken makes it simple to lock in strong, guaranteed growth over time while staying protected under Canada’s deposit insurance system. This account comes with:

• CDIC insurance coverage
• No fees
• $1,000 minimum investment requirement
• Easy to use digital app

Best Chequing Account - EQ Bank Personal Account 

EQ Bank earns the title of best chequing account for offering a flexible, interest-earning option that functions as both a chequing and savings account. The EQ Bank Personal Account allows customers to manage everyday banking tasks while keeping their balance working for them: a practical, low-cost choice for Canadians who prefer digital banking. This account offers:

• No monthly fees and no minimum balance
• Unlimited transactions, including free Interac e-Transfers®
• Competitive interest on everyday balances
• EQ Bank Card: a prepaid Mastercard with cash back, free ATM withdrawals, and no foreign exchange fees

Best Student Bank Account - Scotiabank Student Advantage Plan

Scotiabank earns this year’s title for best student bank account for offering a well-rounded option that goes beyond basic banking. The Preferred Package for Students & Youth gives students the flexibility to manage money their way while earning valuable Scene+ rewards on everyday purchases, all without monthly fees. This account includes:

• No monthly fees for students
• Unlimited debit transactions and Interac e-Transfers®
• Earn Scene+® points on everyday spending
• First-year annual fee waiver on select Scotiabank credit cards

Best banking offer for newcomers - Simplii Financial No Fee Chequing Account

Simplii Financial takes the win for best banking offer for newcomers with a no-fee, digital-first chequing account that helps new arrivals in Canada start banking with ease. Clients can open an account online, access thousands of CIBC ATMs nationwide, and take advantage of a welcome cash bonus for eligible new customers. This account comes with:

• No monthly fees on everyday banking
• Easy online account setup for newcomers
• Access to 3,400+ CIBC ATMs across Canada
• Welcome cash bonus for eligible new clients

Best Big Bank GIC - CIBC

Once again, CIBC earns the title of best big bank GIC for combining stability with some of the strongest rates among Canada’s largest financial institutions. As one of the country’s leading Big 5 banks, CIBC continues to offer customers a reliable way to grow their savings with confidence. This GIC comes with:

• CDIC insurance
• $1,000 minimum investment requirement
• Easy online setup for CIBC customers

Best Robo Advisor - JustWealth

Justwealth retains its spot as our best robo-advisor for 2026, standing out as one of Canada’s few independent platforms dedicated exclusively to automated portfolio management. Known for delivering strong returns, Justwealth continues to lead the field with top-tier 1-, 3-, and 5-year annualized performance across competitors.

Here’s how JustWealth creates high-performing portfolios for retail investors:

• Offers a wide selection of more than 80 portfolios to suit different investing needs
• Uses over 50 ETFs from nine providers to ensure access to best-in-class funds
• Assigns clients a dedicated personal portfolio manager whom you can contact directly
• Charges a low annual management fee of 0.4%-0.5% (minimum of $4.99/month) that covers all trading, custody and annual account fees

Best Online Brokerage - Questrade

Questrade takes this year’s title for best online brokerage, recognized for its combination of low-cost investing and robust trading tools that appeal to both new and experienced investors. With $0 trading fees on Canadian and U.S. stocks and intuitive platforms across web and mobile, Questrade makes it easy to take control of your investments. This platform offers:

• $0 trading fees for Canadian and U.S. stocks
• No minimum deposit required to start investing
• Mobile and desktop trading platforms with real-time data and research tools
• Questwealth Portfolios option for managed, hands-off investing

Best RRSP Savings Account - Tangerine RSP Savings Account 

Tangerine takes the best RRSP savings account win this year for its simple and transparent approach to retirement saving. The Tangerine RSP Savings Account makes it easy to build your nest egg without added fees or complexity, offering a flexible way to grow your money on your own terms. This account offers:

• No transaction fees
• No minimum balance requirements
• Unlimited transfers

Best TFSA - Tangerine Tax-Free Savings Account  

Just like the RRSP category, the winner for best TFSA savings account goes to Tangerine for offering a refreshingly simple and cost-effective way to save tax-free. The Tangerine Tax-Free Savings Account stands out by giving you full access to your money with no surprise fees or minimum-balance traps, making it harder to find a reason not to start building your savings now. This account comes with:

• No transaction fees
• No minimum balance requirements
• Tax-free interest and withdrawals
• Simple online/mobile management