What is the Best Bank to Earn Money in 2024? Complete Guide to Digital Accounts

The Current Scenario: Why Savings Accounts Are No Longer Enough

In 2024, leaving funds idle without a profit strategy has become unfeasible for those seeking to optimize their assets. Historically considered the safest option, savings accounts offer a limited return of approximately 7.41% per year, plus the Reference Rate (TR). For those wanting to boost gains conservatively, digital accounts have emerged as a more efficient alternative, allowing money to truly work through indexing to the CDI.

Digital banks revolutionized the Brazilian financial market by democratizing access to investment products that were previously exclusive to premium clients. This transformation opened space for ordinary people to find the best bank to grow their money, without the need for excessive bureaucracy or astronomical minimum balances.

Understanding the Basics: How CDI Works and Why It Yields More

The Interbank Deposit Certificate (CDI) represents the average interest rate on very short-term loans between financial institutions. Unlike savings accounts, which have a fixed yield calculated monthly on deposit anniversaries, the CDI updates daily, reflecting real-time market movements.

This daily update is the crucial difference. While savings accounts yield only once a month, an account offering 100% of the CDI generates returns on all business days after the grace period (usually 30 days). In practice, this means you get approximately 10.40% per year instead of the traditional 7.41%.

When certain products yield above 100% of the CDI—such as 110% or 113%—you get a multiplier over an already more attractive rate than savings, especially in scenarios of high Selic rates. This is where the real opportunity for wealth differentiation arises.

The Eight Main Competitors: Detailed Analysis

Nubank: The Pioneer with Stable Returns (100% of CDI)

As one of Brazil’s largest digital banks, Nubank offers a structure called “payment account” that functions differently from both a checking account and a traditional savings account. The deposited capital is automatically invested in Federal Public Securities, generating returns on all business days after 31 days from deposit.

Nubank’s differential lies in transparency and a consolidated user experience. With millions of active customers, the platform offers tested operational security and an intuitive interface. Although it offers 100% of CDI (not reaching the maximum levels of competitors), its reliability and additional features justify its prominent position.

Neon: Progressive Yield Growth (up to 113% of CDI)

Neon implemented an innovative model where initial returns are 100% of CDI, but increase progressively each semester until reaching 113% after two years of permanence. This structure encourages longer resource retention, rewarding loyal customers with increasingly better rates.

For a medium-term investor, this progression means that the longer you stay, the lower the discount on gains, resulting in more advantageous compound capitalization than most alternatives.

PicPay: Financial Organization with Savings Categories (up to 102% of CDI)

Founded in 2012, PicPay combines digital account functionality with behavioral tools. The platform offers “Savings Categories”—customizable categories where you organize savings by goal (travel, car, emergency fund, etc.). All amounts yield 102% of CDI on business days.

A practical simulation reveals the impact: R$ 1,000 invested for 24 months yields R$ 204.12 in this bank versus R$ 129.29 in savings. This R$ 74.83 difference represents a real advantage, considering zero additional risk.

PagBank: Integrated Solution with PagSeguro Ecosystem (100% of CDI)

PagBank, offered by PagSeguro, features the “Rendable Account”—a digital account that automatically yields 100% of CDI on static balances after 30 days. The main advantage is its integration with PagSeguro’s payment ecosystem, ideal for entrepreneurs and small business owners already using the platform’s services.

Mercado Pago: Benefits for Premium Clients (up to 105% of CDI)

Mercado Pago’s account minimally yields 100% of CDI for any holder. However, those who subscribe to Meli+ (Mercado Livre’s loyalty program) and maintain a minimum monthly balance of R$ 1,000 access 105% of CDI. For frequent users of the Mercado Livre/Mercado Pago ecosystem, this integration offers additional benefits with cashback and exclusive promotions.

99Pay: Differentiated Yield by Balance Range (up to 110% of CDI)

The 99Pay (mobility app platform 99) implements a tiered structure: balances up to R$ 5,000 earn up to 110% of CDI. Above that, the yield drops to approximately 80% of CDI, but you still retain 110% of CDI up to R$ 5,000.

The key differential is that 99Pay capitalizes yields 24/7, including weekends and holidays, while many alternatives operate only on business days. Additionally, it offers cashback on rides and mobile top-ups, generating extra revenue outside of interest capitalization.

Iti: Itaú’s Solution with Financial Goals (up to 100% of CDI)

Iti, Itaú’s digital account, offers 100% of CDI through the “My Goals” feature—an instrument that allows you to separate resources by objectives (similar to PicPay’s savings categories). The yield starts from the first business day, with no grace period, providing immediate operational advantage.

Banco PAN: Flexibility with Reduced Minimum Balance (up to 100% of CDI)

Banco PAN stands out for accessibility: balances starting at R$ 30 automatically earn interest. In the first 30 days, the yield is 10% of CDI; afterward, it rises to 100% of CDI. There is no maximum balance limit, allowing scalable growth without restrictions.

Practical Comparison Matrix: Choosing the Best Bank to Grow Money

To determine which solution best fits your profile, consider:

Yield Range: From 100% to 113% of CDI. Differences of 1-3% may seem small but generate significant annualized differences over larger bases.

Initial Grace Period: Most require 30 days. Iti offers yield from the first business day, accelerating initial capitalization.

Additional Features: Savings categories (PicPay, Iti), cashback (99Pay), Mercado Pago(, ecosystem integration )Mercado Pago with Mercado Livre, 99Pay with mobility(.

Balance Flexibility: Some have minimums )Mercado Pago with Meli+ requires R$ 1,000(, others allow from R$ 30 )PAN(.

Yield Updates: Neon offers progression )113% after 2 years(, others provide immediate fixed rates.

Scenario Analysis: Which Yields More in Practice?

Suppose you have R$ 10,000 to invest for one year with an accumulated CDI of 10.40% )recent average rate(:

• Savings: R$ 10,741 )yield of R$ 741(
• Bank with 100% CDI: R$ 11,040 )yield of R$ 1,040 / +R$ 299 difference(
• Bank with 105% CDI: R$ 11,092 )yield of R$ 1,092 / +R$ 351 difference(
• Bank with 113% CDI: R$ 11,175 )yield of R$ 1,175 / +R$ 434 difference(

For R$ 50,000, these differences scale proportionally. For R$ 100,000, the gap between savings and 113% CDI can exceed R$ 2,000 annually.

Criteria for Choosing the Best Bank to Grow Money

1. Time Horizon: If planning long-term )2+ years(, Neon with progression is attractive. For short-term, any 100%+ CDI solution works.

2. Invested Amount: For smaller sums )up to R$ 5,000(, 99Pay with 110% offers an advantage. For larger amounts, other platforms without limits perform better.

3. Platform Usage: If already using Mercado Livre or 99, native integration simplifies financial management.

4. Accessibility Needs: Iti with yield from day 1 vs. most with 30-day grace.

5. Desired Features: Prioritize organization in categories )PicPay, Iti( or extra benefits like cashback )99Pay.

Risks and Important Considerations

Although all these alternatives are technically more profitable than savings, nuances exist:

Immediate Liquidity: Most offer withdrawals within 24h business days, but check specific restrictions for emergency withdrawals.

CDI Fluctuation: The rate varies as the Central Bank adjusts the Selic. In scenarios of interest rate cuts, yields decrease proportionally.

Data Security: Digital banks have protections, but enable two-factor authentication.

Diversification: Do not concentrate all assets in a single institution, even if it offers the highest rate.

Conclusion: The Best Choice Fits Your Profile

In 2024, the best bank to grow your money is not just one but the one that combines attractive returns with operational features aligned to your investor profile. Digital accounts with CDI yields have eliminated the barrier that made savings accounts inevitable.

If you prioritize security with a solid track record, Nubank remains reliable. If you seek maximum profitability with planned permanence, Neon offers 113%. If organization and categorization matter, PicPay or Iti are suitable. If you want additional cashback, 99Pay adds value. If you already operate within the Mercado Livre ecosystem, Mercado Pago is a natural choice.

Strategically, consider opening accounts in 2-3 complementary platforms: one for emergency funds with immediate liquidity, another for planned savings with higher returns, and potentially a third if working with these specific ecosystems.

The 2024 market offers real opportunities for wealth optimization. Leaving resources solely in savings accounts results in proven loss of purchasing power. Moving to digital accounts with CDI is not only more profitable—it’s financially responsible.