Best RBC GIC Rates for January 2025
Jan 15, 2025RBC’s non-redeemable GICs offer high interest rates, a wide range of terms, RRSP and TFSA eligibility, and can be opened with as little as $500.
The Royal Bank of Canada, or RBC, offers a wide variety of guaranteed investment certificates, including non-redeemable, cashable and market-linked GICs with terms ranging from 30 days to 10 years. The minimum deposit for an RBC GIC starts at $500.
RBC’s current GIC rates
Below are interest rates for some of RBC’s most popular GICs, as of Jan. 15, 2025.
The RBC GIC rates shown for non-redeemable GICs are based on annually compounded interest, and the market-linked GIC rates include the minimum guaranteed return and the maximum full-term return.
Term | Interest Rate | GIC Type |
|---|---|---|
30 - 59 days | 2.40% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
60 - 89 days | 2.60% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
90 - 179 days | 2.75% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
180 - 269 days | 2.85% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
270 - 364 days | 3.00% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
1 year | 3.30% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC - Special Offer |
1 year | 3.00% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
1 year | 2.50% | RBC Cashable GIC - Special Offer |
1 year | 2.00% | RBC One-Year Cashable GIC |
1.5 years | 2.95% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
2 years | 3.50%, up to 12.00% | RBC Canadian Banking MarketSmart GIC |
2 years | 2.50%, up to 12.00% | RBC North American MarketSmart GIC |
2 years | 2.00%, up to 15.00% | RBC Canadian Utilities MarketSmart GIC |
2 Years | 3.60% | RBC RateAdvantage GIC (non-redeemable) |
2 years | 3.40% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC - Special Offer |
2 years | 2.85% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
2 years | 2.00%, up to 8.00% | RBC U.S. MarketSmart GIC |
3 years | 4.00%, up to 22.00% | RBC North American MarketSmart GIC |
3 years | 4.00%, up to 30.00% | RBC Canadian Utilities MarketSmart GIC |
3 years | 6.00%, up to 22.00% | RBC Canadian Banking MarketSmart GIC |
3 years | 2.25%, up to 15.00% | RBC U.S. MarketSmart GIC |
3 Years | 3.30% | RBC RateAdvantage GIC (non-redeemable) |
3 years | 2.50% | RBC Cashable GIC - Special Offer |
4 years | 2.80% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
5 years | 12.00%, up to 32.00% | RBC Canadian Banking MarketSmart GIC |
5 years | 10.00%, up to 32.00% | RBC North American MarketSmart GIC |
5 years | 10.00%, up to 40.00% | RBC Canadian Utilities MarketSmart GIC |
5 years | 6.50%, up to 25.00% | RBC U.S. MarketSmart GIC |
5 Years | 3.06% | RBC RateAdvantage GIC (non-redeemable) |
5 years | 3.60% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC - Special Offer |
5 years | 2.75% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
7 years | 2.75% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
10 years | 2.75% | RBC Non-Redeemable GIC |
The best RBC GIC rates
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Product detailsWhat to know about RBC GICs
RBC’s popular investment products include guaranteed investment certificates, or GICs. Not only do they offer highly competitive interest rates, but they also have flexible terms. Plus, GIC deposits are insured up to $100,000 since they come with Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) protection.
How to choose an RBC GIC
Start by figuring out what your financial goals are and how RBC GIC can help you reach them.
GICs typically guarantee that you will retain your entire principal investment but may offer a lower return than other investment options, like individual stocks or index funds. Generally, GICs are a good choice for people who are saving for a short-term goal or looking to safeguard their wealth in an RBC TFSA.
Another consideration is the account in which you’ll purchase a GIC. You may prefer using a non-registered account. However, your tax-free savings account and registered retirement savings plan are both capable of holding GICs, and have tax advantages.
» MORE: Read our full review of RBC RRSP
When comparing RBC GIC options to each other — and those of other banks — consider the following:
Types of GICs.
Available terms.
Interest rates.
Types of RBC GICs
RBC offers three different types of GICs. Each type offers various GICs that can be suitable for different situations. RBC’s GIC types are as follows:
Guaranteed-Return GICs: A fixed-rate GIC where your principal and earned interest is guaranteed, regardless of what happens in the markets.
Non-redeemable & redeemable GICs.
One-year cashable GIC.
RateAdvantage GIC.
U.S. Dollar term deposits.
Income Builder GIC.
Interest Rate-Linked GIC: Your rate of return is directly tied to any increases or decreases with the Royal Bank Prime rate.
RBC Equity-Linked GICs: May enjoy higher returns than the other GICs and you can choose between a guaranteed minimum return or unlimited upside potential (tied to an underlying index).
RBC North American MarketSmart GIC.
RBC Canadian Banking MarketSmart GIC.
RBC Canadian Utilities MarketSmart GIC.
RBC Canadian Market-Linked GIC.
RBC U.S. MarketSmart GIC.
RBC ESG Market-Linked GIC.
RBC also offers Special GIC Rates. These are special promotions on RBC GICs that have a set term. They can be both cashable and non-redeemable.
RBC GIC terms
From 1 day to 20 years, RBC GICs offer quite a bit of term flexibility, depending on your investment goals. Generally, you should think of GIC terms in the following way:
Mid-length term (2 to 4 years)
Long-term (5+ years)
Although RBC offers a wide variety of GIC terms, not all terms are available for all GIC products.
How to open an RBC GIC
Purchasing an RBC GIC is easy, but you must meet the following requirements:
Have a Social Insurance Number.
Live in Canada with a Canadian address.
Have reached the age of majority in the province or territory in which you reside.
Have an RBC chequing or savings account.
Have enough funds to meet the minimum investment requirement.
Register for RBC online banking.
Once your RBC account is set up and the funds available, you’re ready to purchase an RBC GIC. Buying a GIC can be accomplished online, via the RBC website. Or, if you need additional support, you can contact RBC over the phone or walk into a branch.
RBC GICs have minimum investment requirements, which range from $500 to $100,000. The $100,000 minimum usually only applies to extremely short GIC terms of 30 days or less. Be sure you understand the minimum investment requirements for the GIC you want before starting the purchase process.
How to close an RBC GIC
Unless you set your RBC GIC to automatically renew, your principal investment plus any earned interest will be deposited into your applicable RBC account once it matures. You can update your maturity instructions anytime via RBC online banking or by contacting a RBC financial representative.
If you purchased a redeemable GIC, and want to access your GIC funds before the maturity date, you’ll need to contact RBC directly.
Since GICs are a product and not an account, there’s no account to close when your GIC matures.
Alternatives to RBC GICs
Even though RBC offers various GICs with different interest rates and terms, it’s always a good idea to consider all of your options and possible solutions.
If you want a GIC from a different bank
Before buying an RBC GIC, make sure you’re aware of what are the best GIC rates that other banks and credit unions are offering. Digital banks, for example:
EQ Bank often offers highly competitive GIC rates. They can provide products with high-interest rates since they have low overhead costs as an online-only bank.
Simplii Financial is another option to consider if you want to invest in RRSP or non-registered GICs with an online bank.
Tangerine Bank has a wide selection of terms and types of GIC with comparable rates as other digital financial institutions.
Other Big Bank GICs that serve as great alternatives to RBC’s offerings, include:
Minimum deposit | Are deposits insured? | |
|---|---|---|
Best RBC GICs | Starting at $500 | Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. |
Best National Bank GICs | Starting at $500 | Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. |
Best TD GICs | Starting at $500 | Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. |
Best BMO GICs | Starting at $1,000 | Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. |
Best CIBC GICs | Starting at $500 | Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. |
Best Scotiabank GICs | Starting at $500 | Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. |
If you want a different RBC product
As a major financial institution, RBC allows investors to purchase a variety of investment products through them, including:
The product you decide to buy should depend on your investment goals, time frame, and risk tolerance. Be sure to speak to a professional if you’re new to investing.
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