To create this list, Forbes Advisor Canada analyzed 504 guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) across 43 financial institutions, including a mix of traditional brick-and-mortar banks, online banks and credit unions. We ranked each account on nine data points that included annual percentage yield, minimum deposit requirements, (low, medium and high), customer service, compound interest schedule, available terms and availability.
The following is the weighting assigned to each category:
- APY: 50.68%
- Minimum Deposit Requirement: 13.15%
- Minimum Deposit Requirement Low: 4.67%
- Minimum Deposit Requirement Medium: 3.67%
- Minimum Deposit Requirement High: 2.67%
- Customer Service: 5.67%
- Compound Interest Schedule: 8.15%
- Available Terms: 5.67%
- Availability: 5.67%
GIC with higher APYs rose to the top of the list. Minimum deposit requirements of $10,000 or higher affected scores negatively. Investments with daily compounding interest schedules were scored higher than those with monthly or quarterly schedules. To appear on this list, the GIC must be nationally available.