Which Bank Yields More Than Savings? Performance Analysis with CDI in 2024

When it comes to profitability, the most intriguing question for Brazilian savers is: which bank yields the most? The answer is far from traditional savings accounts. In 2024, digital financial institutions are revolutionizing the way Brazilians make their money work, offering accounts with automatic returns based on the CDI.

Why Abandon Savings?

Savings accounts, being secure, have attracted Brazilians for generations. However, their returns follow a fixed formula: 70% of the SELIC Rate plus the Referencial Rate (which has been zero for some time). The current result is approximately 7.41% per year. But here comes the big question: which bank yields more than that?

Digital accounts linked to the CDI (Interbank Deposit Certificate) provide much more interesting answers. While savings accounts yield once a month, these accounts update their earnings daily, tracking real fluctuations in the SELIC rate. A balance that yields 100% of the CDI generates approximately 10.40% annually – over 3 percentage points higher than savings.

Unveiling the CDI: The Index That Determines Your Earnings

Before answering which bank yields more, it’s essential to understand the CDI. It is a reference rate that reflects short-term interbank loans in Brazil. Unlike savings accounts with fixed monthly returns, the CDI updates constantly, allowing financial products linked to it (such as CDBs and digital accounts) to offer more dynamic profitability.

When an institution promises to yield above 100% of the CDI, it commits to paying more than the base rate itself – which explains banks offering up to 113% of the CDI.

The Main Contenders: Where Does Your Money Yield More

Neon: The Yield Champion (up to 113% of the CDI)

Neon goes further by offering a progressive system. It starts at 100% of the CDI and increases by 2% every semester, reaching a maximum of 113% after two years. The longer the investor stays, the lower the discount rate on the yield. For those seeking to maximize long-term gains, which bank yields more than Neon?

Nubank: The Security of the Giant (100% of the CDI)

As one of the largest digital banks, Nubank offers a payment account (not checking, not savings) where the money is automatically invested in Federal Public Securities. The advantage lies in the daily update of the return, starting from the 31st day after deposit, on all business days.

99Pay: Smart Bonus (up to 110% of the CDI)

The digital platform 99 offers tiered returns: balances up to R$ 5,000 yield up to 110% of the CDI, while larger amounts yield in a mixed structure. Differential: it operates 24 hours, including weekends, and offers cashback on rides and recharges.

Mercado Pago: Loyalty Rewarded (up to 105% of the CDI)

Mercado Pago allows any account holder to earn a minimum return of 100% of the CDI. But subscribers of Meli+ (loyalty program) who deposit R$ 1,000 or more monthly earn a 5% bonus, reaching 105% of the CDI.

Iti from Itaú: Goal Organization (100% of the CDI)

The iti platform offers a tool called “My Goals” that allows you to separate savings by objectives, similar to digital piggy banks. The 100% of the CDI return is applied from the first business day of the deposit.

PicPay: Customized Savings (up to 102% of the CDI)

Founded in 2012, PicPay stands out for its customizable savings organization. With a daily return of 102% of the CDI, a simulation shows: R$ 1,000 in 24 months generates R$ 204.12 (versus R$ 129.29 in savings).

PagBank: Straightforward Simplicity (100% of the CDI)

Offered by the PagSeguro platform, PagBank provides the Rendeira Account with automatic returns of 100% of the CDI after 30 days of deposit.

Banco PAN: Financial Inclusivity (up to 100% of the CDI)

PAN democratizes access by yielding from R$ 30 in balance. In the first 30 days, the return is 10% of the CDI, rising to 100% in subsequent months. No maximum balance limit.

Which Bank Yields More? The Answer Depends on You

The answer to which bank yields more varies according to the investor’s profile. Neon stands out for long-term investors seeking maximum profitability. 99Pay benefits those who use urban mobility and want cashback. Mercado Pago rewards loyal users of the Mercado Livre ecosystem. Nubank offers security with competitive returns.

The reality is that all outperform savings. While savings accounts offer 7.41% annually, accounts linked to the CDI range between 10.40% (100%) and 11.52% (113% of the CDI). Over 24 months, this difference results in substantial gains.

The Current Scenario: CDI vs. Savings

The CDI reflects the dynamic economic reality, updating daily according to the SELIC Rate. Savings accounts, with a fixed formula and monthly updates, do not follow this volatility. During periods of high SELIC (like the current), yields above 100% of the CDI provide real protection against inflation.

For conservative investors questioning which bank yields more while maintaining security, all listed institutions are regulated by the Central Bank, guaranteeing deposits up to R$ 250,000 through the Credit Guarantee Fund (FGC).

Conclusion: The Future of Digital Savings

In 2024, leaving money in savings accounts is missing out on real earning opportunities. The question of which bank yields more ceases to be rhetorical and becomes a concrete financial decision. Digital accounts with CDI returns not only offer higher profitability – but also provide flexibility, financial organization, and additional benefits like cashback.

Choosing between Neon (maximum yield), Nubank (security), 99Pay (extra benefits), or any other depends on individual goals. The important thing is to recognize that the CDI has evolved as a real alternative to savings, allowing Brazilians to maximize returns in high-interest-rate scenarios. The era of passive savings has ended; the era of smart yield has already begun.