Above Savings Account Returns: The Best Digital Banks Guide in 2024

If you leave your money earning only in savings, you’re missing out on more substantial earning opportunities. Banks with higher yields have revolutionized the Brazilian financial market by offering accounts that generate significantly higher returns. In this guide, we explore platforms that truly offer attractive profitability for those looking to grow their wealth.

What Makes a Digital Bank Offer Better Returns

The answer lies in an index called CDI. While savings accounts operate with a fixed yield formula — 70% of the Selic Rate plus the Referential Rate (which is zero) — the CDI (Interbank Deposit Certificate) represents the average rate of short-term loans between banking institutions. The main difference? Savings calculates earnings monthly, only on the deposit anniversary date. The CDI updates daily, generating recurring gains.

In practice, this means that an account offering 100% of the CDI yields approximately 10.40% per year, compared to 7.41% from savings. When a bank offers above 100% of the CDI, you’re earning even more.

Banks with the Best Yields: Detailed Analysis

Nubank — 100% of CDI yield

Nubank, established as one of the largest players in the sector, stands out by offering an account that doesn’t fit into traditional checking or savings categories. It is a payment account whose deposits are automatically directed to Federal Public Securities. Earnings occur on all business days after the thirty-first day, not just once a month like in savings.

Neon — Up to 113% of CDI yield

Neon implements a progressive profitability system. It starts at 100% of CDI, with semiannual increases up to a peak of 113%. The longer the resources remain invested, the lower the discount rate, encouraging customers to keep their savings invested for longer periods.

PicPay — Up to 102% of CDI yield

Founded in 2012, PicPay offers accounts with the “Piggy Banks” feature, allowing personalized segmentation of savings. The yield is daily at 102% of CDI. A simulation shows that R$ 1,000 invested for 24 months results in R$ 204.12 in gains, compared to R$ 129.29 from savings.

PagBank — 100% of CDI yield

Operated by PagSeguro, PagBank features the “Rendable Account,” a solution that automatically applies 100% of CDI on balances maintained for at least 30 days.

Mercado Pago — Up to 105% of CDI yield

At Mercado Pago, any individual account starts earning 100% of CDI. Meli+ program subscribers who deposit monthly from R$ 1,000 reach 105% of CDI on their balances and reserves.

99Pay — Up to 110% of CDI yield

The mobility app 99 offers a competitive proposal: balances up to R$ 5,000 earn 110% of CDI. Above this amount, the combination is 80% + 110% of CDI. Unlike other wallets, 99Pay guarantees this yield every day, including weekends, with additional cashback benefits on rides and recharges.

Iti — Up to 100% of CDI yield

Iti, from Itaú, offers automatic earnings through the “My Goals” feature, functioning from the first business day. Similar to Nubank, this tool allows organizing finances by specific objectives.

Banco PAN — Up to 100% of CDI yield

At PAN, any balance above R$ 30 earns automatically every day. The first 30 days generate 10% of CDI, while subsequent periods reach 100% of CDI, with no maximum balance limit.

Yield Comparison: Which One to Choose?

Each bank offers different benefits beyond the base yield. While Neon stands out for its progressive system that rewards resource retention, 99Pay differentiates itself with full-time yields and strategic cashback. PicPay appeals to those wanting to segment their savings, while Nubank attracts with its solidity and simplicity.

The variation in yields — between 100% and 113% of CDI — can lead to substantial differences over time. In 12 months, this percentage difference translates into hundreds of reais in additional gains compared to traditional savings.

Understanding CDI and Its Real Impact

CDI is not just an abstract index — it reflects actual short-term market conditions and closely follows the Selic Rate. Financial products like CDBs (Bank Deposit Certificates), LCIs (Real Estate Credit Letters), and investment funds use this index as a calculation basis.

When the economy is booming, the Selic rises, the CDI follows, and your investments grow accordingly. Conversely, during economic stabilization periods, both indices reflect this dynamic. Therefore, in a scenario with a high Selic rate like the current one, maximizing exposure to CDI becomes strategic.

Why Leaving Money Idle Is Not an Option

Simply keeping a balance in a checking account means watching inflation erode your wealth. Savings, although traditional, have become insufficient as a preservation tool. The banks with the best yields emerged precisely to fill this gap, offering real capital growth with convenience.

In 2024, the variety of options allows you to choose according to your profile: from those seeking maximum profitability (Neon with its 113%) to those preferring proven stability (Nubank with its institutional solidity).

Conclusion

The decision of where to invest your savings has gained new dimensions. Digital accounts with CDI yields represent a natural evolution in the search for better returns. The annual difference between the best savings (7.41%) and the top digital accounts (up to 10.40% or more) can mean thousands of reais in additional earnings over a few years.

Banks with the best yields combine attractive profitability with modern features, flexibility, and transparency. For those looking to make their wealth work more efficiently in 2024, these platforms emerge as truly promising alternatives to traditional investments.