If you choose Achieva
The verified program provides $25 to the new customer and $25 to the referrer when the conditions are met.
Referral code
V381566198Quick answer: there is no best account for every use. Achieva shows 1.80% on daily savings and 1.95% on its TFSA. Tangerine offers 4.50% on non-registered savings or 5.00% on eligible registered accounts for 153 days, subject to offer caps. EQ Bank has a 1.50% base rate and up to 2.75% total, including a conditional 1.25% bonus for qualifying direct deposits of at least $2,000 per calendar month. In Quebec, the comparison uses EQ's Personal Account; availability varies by product.
Achieva, Tangerine and EQ Bank side by side
The products are not identical. This comparison uses Achieva's daily savings account, Tangerine's Savings Account and EQ Bank's Personal Account, which is the EQ option relevant to a Quebec resident.
| Criterion | Achieva | Tangerine | EQ Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product compared | Daily Interest Savings Account; separate TFSA rate for registered savings | Savings Account; separate non-registered and registered offers | EQ Bank Personal Account; comparable product available in Quebec |
| Current / base rate | 1.80% non-registered; 1.95% on the verified TFSA | 0.30% on the Savings Account; registered rates vary by account | 1.50% base rate on the Personal Account |
| Best verified rate | 1.80% daily savings; 1.95% on the verified TFSA. No temporary teaser rate found. | 4.50% non-registered or 5.00% registered for 153 days | 1.50% base + 1.25% conditional bonus, for up to 2.75% total |
| Best-rate condition | No promotional condition in the pages checked. | New client with a Client Number created July 28 to November 30, 2026; eligible account opened as Primary Account Holder within 60 days. The 153-day offer is capped at $1,000,000 per currency across non-registered accounts and $1,000,000 per registered account type (CRA limits apply). | Qualifying recurring direct deposits totalling at least $2,000 per calendar month add 1.25% to the variable base rate; rates and conditions can change. |
| Monthly fee / minimum | $0 / $0 | $0 / $0 | $0 / $0 |
| Transactions and access | The first outgoing cheque, pre-authorized debit or Achieva Direct transfer each month is free; later transactions in those categories cost $1. Other withdrawal fees may apply. Savings access, not a full chequing account. | With the associated chequing account: free everyday transactions and Interac e-Transfers, subject to account terms. | Access anytime, free Interac e-Transfers and free bill payments under the account terms. |
| Card / ATMs | No full everyday chequing and debit-card setup. | With chequing: Visa Debit and free access to more than 3,500 eligible Scotiabank ABMs. | EQ Bank Card; reimbursement of eligible ATM fees in Canada up to $5 per withdrawal, for up to 5 withdrawals per month. |
| Interest calculation and payment | Calculated daily, paid monthly. | Calculated daily, paid monthly. | Calculated daily on the closing balance, paid monthly; rates are annualized. |
| Deposit protection | DGCM: guaranteed without limit, subject to applicable rules. | CDIC: up to $100,000 per depositor and eligible category at each member institution. | CDIC: eligible deposits are covered up to $100,000 per depositor and insured category; deposits held under EQ Bank and Equitable Bank are combined toward that limit. |
| Registered accounts | TFSA, RRSP and other registered products shown on the rate pages. | TFSA, RRSP and RRIF accounts included in the verified registered promotion. | Product-dependent; several products, including RRSP/FHSA options, are not available in Quebec. |
| Available in Quebec | Yes; account path and service are mainly in English. | Yes, with French account paths and service. | Yes for the Personal Account; Notice Savings and some features/products are excluded in Quebec. |
Rates, offers, conditions, fees and deposit protection rechecked October 7, 2026. Values are variable and can change.
Referral codes and links
These links and codes are optional; always check the official terms before opening an account.
Referral codes, links and terms rechecked .
If you choose Tangerine
The Orange Key may qualify for a $50 bonus when the program conditions are met.
Orange Key
28709877S1If you choose EQ Bank
EQ Bank currently advertises a $20 bonus for the new customer after an eligible deposit of at least $100 within 30 calendar days after account activation. The referrer also receives $20.
Referral linkUnique link — no code required
Achieva: base rate and simplicity
Achieva's Daily Interest Savings Account shows 1.80% for non-registered deposits; the verified TFSA page shows 1.95%. In this comparison, Achieva is the clearest choice if you want a higher base rate than Tangerine outside its promotion, without tracking an expiry date.
There is no monthly fee and no minimum balance. The first outgoing cheque, pre-authorized debit or Achieva Direct transfer each month is free; later transactions in those categories cost $1, and other withdrawal fees may apply. That suits a reserve you plan to leave growing, less so an account used for frequent payments.
Deposits are guaranteed without limit by the Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Manitoba (DGCM), subject to the applicable rules. The trade-off is the lack of a full everyday chequing and debit-card ecosystem, with service mainly in English.
Read the full Achieva page for terms and the account-opening path.
Tangerine: promotion and everyday banking
Tangerine's Savings Account, TFSA Savings and RSP Savings show 0.30% outside the promotion; RIF Savings shows 0.35%. The verified offer increases the rate to 4.50% on non-registered savings and 5.00% on eligible registered accounts, including RSP, TFSA and RIF Savings, for 153 days (five months).
The promotion targets new clients whose Client Number is created from July 28 through November 30, 2026. The eligible account must be opened as Primary Account Holder within 60 days. The offer is capped at $1,000,000 per currency across non-registered Eligible Savings Accounts and $1,000,000 per registered account type; CRA contribution limits apply. After the period, the posted rate for each account applies; the offer may be changed, extended or cancelled.
The no-fee chequing account, Visa Debit card, Interac e-Transfers and Scotiabank ABM access make Tangerine practical for combining savings and everyday banking.
Read the full Tangerine page for the separate offers, Orange Key and banking terms.
EQ Bank: an interest-bearing everyday account with a condition
The EQ Bank Personal Account has a variable 1.50% base rate. Qualifying recurring direct deposits totalling at least $2,000 per calendar month add a conditional 1.25% bonus, for a total rate of up to 2.75%. That condition is the key decision point: without it, the base rate is below Achieva's in this check.
The account combines free Interac e-Transfers, bill payments and the EQ Bank Card. Notice Savings shows different rates, but it is excluded from the Quebec reference; availability of other products, US-dollar services and EQ-to-EQ features varies by province.
Read the EQ Bank guide for the referral link, the $100 deposit test and account features, then read the provincial conditions before moving your everyday banking.
What does $10,000 earn?
This is a simple pre-tax illustration over 12 months with no additional deposits or compounding; it assumes the rate stays constant during each rate period. It is not a promise of future returns.
≈ $180
Achieva at 1.80% for one year.
≈ $30
Tangerine at its 0.30% base rate for one year.
≈ $150
EQ at its 1.50% base rate for 12 months without the qualifying-deposit bonus.
≈ $275
EQ at 2.75% for 12 months if the direct-deposit condition is maintained.
≈ $206
Tangerine non-registered: 4.50% for 153 days, then 0.30% for the remaining 212 days of the year.
≈ $227
Tangerine TFSA or RSP Savings: 5.00% for 153 days, then 0.30% for the remaining 212 days of the year.
Indicative calculations: $10,000 × rate × days/365 for each rate period, added across the 365-day year and rounded to the nearest dollar. The registered example is for TFSA or RSP Savings; the posted rate for RIF Savings after the promotion differs. Tangerine calculates interest daily; its official estimator may show a slightly different figure based on the payment schedule and daily balance.
Which account fits which use?
Stable savings without a promotion
A natural choice if you prioritize the verified base rate, can limit withdrawals and value DGCM protection.
Short-term return
The strongest temporary offer observed, provided you qualify and plan for what happens after 153 days.
Interest-bearing everyday account
A good fit if qualifying direct deposits of at least $2,000 per month are realistic and its Quebec restrictions fit your needs.
Emergency fund
EQ combines return and everyday transactions; Tangerine adds Scotia ABM access; Achieva favors a balance you rarely draw down.
Registered savings in Quebec
Achieva and Tangerine are easier to compare for the registered products listed; EQ requires checking each product because several are unavailable in Quebec.
The Quebec distinction that changes the answer
The EQ Bank Personal Account is available in Quebec and is the EQ product used in this table. Notice Savings is excluded from the Quebec reference, while availability of other products, US-dollar services and EQ-to-EQ transfers varies. Do not apply a national EQ rate to a Quebec product without checking the exact official product page.
Achieva and Tangerine accept Quebec residents through their online account paths. Achieva's service is mainly in English; Tangerine offers French paths. In all three cases, confirm eligibility and terms directly with the institution.
Frequently asked questions
Which offers the better rate: Achieva, Tangerine or EQ Bank?
There is no universal winner. Tangerine offers 4.50% on non-registered savings and 5.00% on eligible registered accounts for 153 days, subject to offer caps. EQ Bank's Personal Account has a variable 1.50% base rate; qualifying recurring direct deposits of at least $2,000 per calendar month add 1.25%, for a total rate of up to 2.75%. Achieva shows 1.80% on daily savings and 1.95% on its TFSA. Rates and offers were rechecked October 7, 2026.
Is the EQ Bank account compared here available in Quebec?
Yes, the EQ Bank Personal Account is available in Quebec. Availability varies by product and service; this comparison excludes Notice Savings from its Quebec reference. Check the exact official product page before relying on a rate or feature.
Which account is best for an emergency fund?
It depends on the access you need. EQ combines a base return with free everyday transactions, subject to the direct-deposit condition for its best rate. Tangerine fits if you also want Scotia ABM access. Achieva fits if you prioritize its base rate and can limit withdrawals.
Can EQ Bank be used as a main bank?
The EQ Bank Personal Account supports Interac e-Transfers, bill payments and access through the EQ Bank Card. It has no branches, and some EQ-to-EQ transfers are not available in Quebec. Check that the ecosystem fits your needs before moving all of your banking.
Which account should I choose without chasing a promotion?
Achieva has the highest base rate of the three in this check, at 1.80% on daily savings. EQ offers a 1.50% base rate and up to 2.75% total with a conditional 1.25% bonus. After its promotion, Tangerine returns to each account's posted rate: 0.30% for Savings, TFSA and RSP Savings, and 0.35% for RIF Savings.
How do I access the EQ Bank referral offer?
The comparison links to Cash Instinct's dedicated EQ Bank page. That page explains that the offer uses a referral link, not a code to enter, and then points to the EQ Bank application flow. If the conditions are met, the new customer receives $20 and Cash Instinct also receives the referrer's program reward.
Official sources
Rates, offers, conditions, fees and deposit protection were rechecked October 7, 2026 in the following official pages:
- Achieva — current rates, Daily Interest Savings, TFSA, account minimum and fees and fee schedule
- Achieva — referral program
- Tangerine — current rates, savings promotion and registered promotion
- Tangerine — referral, chequing account and CDIC
- EQ Bank — rates and Bonus Interest Offer Terms and Conditions, Personal Account, common questions and ATM fees and deposit insurance information
- CDIC — deposit protection