Which is the bank with the highest CDI? Complete Guide to the 8 Best Digital Accounts in 2024

If you’re tired of seeing your money earn little in traditional savings accounts, it’s time to explore a much more profitable alternative. In 2024, online banks offer accounts that provide significantly higher returns than conventional savings, all operating based on the CDI.

Why Abandon Savings?

Brazilian savings follow a fixed formula: 70% of the Selic rate plus the Referential Rate (which has been zero for some time). The current result is an annual return of just 7.41%. Meanwhile, fintech institutions offer accounts that automatically generate 10.40% per year or even more, tracking 100% of the Interbank Deposit Certificate (CDI).

The key difference lies in the update frequency: while savings calculate earnings monthly (only on the deposit anniversary), the CDI is updated daily. This means your balance works for you every business day, not just once a month.

The Bank with the Highest CDI and Other Top Alternatives

For those seeking to maximize returns, it’s essential to know the institutions offering the highest CDI percentages. Here are the highlights:

Neon – The Bank with the Highest Available CDI (up to 113%)

Neon leads the profitability ranking. Its clients start earning 100% of the CDI, and every six months, this percentage increases until reaching 113%. The maximum return is achieved after two years of relationship, creating a clear incentive to maintain the account. The longer you keep your funds deposited, the lower the deduction of fees on the earnings.

99Pay – Second Best Option (up to 110%)

On the 99 mobility platform, balances up to R$ 5,000 earn up to 110% of the CDI. Above this amount, earnings are reduced to 80% of the CDI, but the account compensates with additional benefits: cashback on rides, mobile recharges, and weekend transactions (when other wallets are unavailable).

Mercado Pago – Third Highest Yield (up to 105%)

Any individual account holder at Mercado Pago automatically earns 100% of the CDI. Meli+ subscribers maintaining a minimum balance of R$ 1,000 monthly increase the return to 105% of the CDI. It’s an excellent option for those already using the company’s shopping ecosystem.

Other Reliable Options with 100% of the CDI

Besides the leaders, several online banks offer solid returns of 100% of the CDI:

Nubank – Brazil’s largest digital financial institution invests its money in Federal Government Bonds through the “payment account.” Unlike savings, which only earn on the deposit anniversary, here you receive earnings every business day after the 31st day.

PicPay – Founded in 2012, offers “Piggy Banks” to organize savings by category. Your balance earns 102% of the CDI daily. A simple simulation: R$ 1,000 invested for 24 months generates R$ 204.12 versus just R$ 129.29 in savings.

Pagbank – Offered by PagSeguro group, the “Rendiment Account” automatically applies 100% of the CDI on balances maintained for 30 days or more.

Iti – Itaú’s digital bank allows you to organize your savings in the “My Goals” feature, earning 100% of the CDI from the first business day, with no minimum period required.

Banco PAN – Operates with a tiered system: 10% of the CDI in the first 30 days and 100% in subsequent months. The minimum amount to start earning is just R$ 30.

Understanding the CDI: How Does This Index Work?

The Interbank Deposit Certificate (CDI) is a reference rate representing the average interest on short-term loans between financial institutions. It serves as the basis for calculating returns on CDBs, LCIs, investment funds, and digital accounts.

Unlike fixed-yield (fixed interest) savings, the CDI is dynamic and recalculated daily. When a bank offers “above 100% of the CDI,” it means you earn more than that index—especially in periods of high Selic rates, like the current one.

Practical Comparison: CDI vs. Savings

An investment of R$ 10,000 yields very different results:

• Savings (7.41% per year): R$ 741 annual gain
• Account with 100% of CDI (10.40% per year): R$ 1,040 annual gain
• Bank with the Highest CDI – Neon (up to 113%): approximately R$ 1,130 annual gain

The difference may seem small at low amounts, but with larger investments or longer terms, optimizing your bank for higher CDI results in thousands of reais extra.

Which to Choose in 2024?

The choice depends on your goals:

• Maximum profitability: Neon, with its bank offering up to 113% CDI
• Fast growth: 99Pay and Mercado Pago, reaching 110% and 105% respectively
• Solid and trustworthy: Nubank or Iti, with 100% of the CDI
• Flexibility: PicPay, with financial organization tools
• Lower entry barriers: Banco PAN, starting with R$ 30

Consider opening accounts at multiple institutions to diversify your investment strategy. There’s no penalty for holding funds in different banks, and you can boost your gains by choosing the bank with the highest CDI for each amount range.

Conclusion: Maximize Your Earnings in 2024

The environment of high interest rates has made it essential to seek alternatives to traditional savings. Digital banks, especially those offering returns close to the top—like Neon with its bank with the highest available CDI—represent a significant shift in how Brazilians can grow their money.

The choice doesn’t have to be exclusive. Diversifying among accounts that earn above 100% of the CDI maximizes your earning potential while maintaining security and flexibility. In a competitive economic environment, leaving money idle in savings is simply missing out on opportunities to earn.