Digital Accounts: The Best Option for Those Seeking Higher Returns than Savings in 2024

Investing financial resources wisely is a growing concern among Brazilians, especially when savings accounts do not offer satisfactory returns. In 2024, the landscape has changed significantly with the expansion of digital platforms that provide investments with much more competitive yields. This article analyzes why these solutions have become the best savings banks and what are the best available alternatives.

Why Abandon Traditional Savings?

Savings accounts operate with a simple formula: yields 70% of the Selic rate plus the Referencial Rate (TR), currently zero. This results in approximately 7.41% per year. Additionally, the yield is updated only monthly, on the anniversary of each deposit.

In contrast, modern digital banks offer accounts that yield based on the CDI (Interbank Deposit Certificate), an indicator that more faithfully follows economic movements. When these accounts offer 100% or more of the CDI, the annual return jumps to 10.40% or higher, representing a significant difference in the long term.

The key to this superiority lies in the daily update of yields. While savings accounts wait for the deposit anniversary, accounts linked to the CDI accrue gains every business day, allowing for faster interest accumulation.

Understanding the CDI Mechanism

The CDI functions as a reference rate that reflects the average of short-term interbank loans. Unlike savings accounts, which have a fixed structure, the CDI responds dynamically to changes in the Selic rate, making it more sensitive to the economic scenario.

When a product offers 105%, 110%, or 113% of the CDI, it means the investor receives an additional margin over the base rate. This is possible because these platforms invest resources in Federal Public Securities and other low-risk assets, capturing this extra profitability to pass on to account holders.

Mapping the Main Digital Accounts in 2024

Nubank – Leader in Simplicity

Nubank offers a payment account that functions as the best savings bank for those who prioritize security. The deposited money is invested in Public Securities, with a yield of 100% of the CDI. An important differential: capitalization occurs on all business days after the 31st day, not just monthly.

Neon – Progressive Yield

Neon implements an innovative model where the percentage of the CDI gradually increases. It starts at 100% and rises to 113% after two years of membership. This format encourages the retention of resources on the platform, rewarding more loyal customers.

PicPay – Organization in Piggy Banks

Since its founding in 2012, PicPay stands out for its functionality of organizing savings into customized categories. It yields 102% of the CDI daily. A practical simulation shows that R$ 1,000 invested for 24 months generates R$ 204.12, significantly surpassing the R$ 129.29 of traditional savings.

PagBank – The Proposal of the PagSeguro Ecosystem

Integrating the PagSeguro service suite, PagBank offers the Rendeira Account with automatic yield of 100% of the CDI after 30 days of idle balance.

Mercado Pago – Benefit for Subscribers

In Mercado Pago, the basic yield is 100% of the CDI. However, those who join the Meli+ (Mercado Livre loyalty program) and maintain a minimum balance of R$ 1,000 monthly can increase this percentage to 105%.

99Pay – Profitability for Mobility Users

The mobility platform 99 offers a digital account with yields of up to 110% of the CDI for balances up to R$ 5,000. Above this amount, it combines 80% of the CDI with 110% for the initial range. The differential is that gains occur daily, including weekends, in addition to offering cashback on transactions like rides.

Iti – Itaú’s Tool for Goals

Iti, from the Itaú group, proposes a differential: the “My Goals” feature that yields 100% of the CDI from the first business day. It works similarly to virtual jars for organizing financial goals.

Banco PAN – No Maximum Limit

PAN stands out for its tiered model: in the first 30 days, it yields 10% of the CDI, then 100%. With a minimum balance of R$ 30, it offers flexibility without a maximum investment cap.

Comparative Analysis: Which is the Best Savings Bank?

The choice depends on individual priorities. For pure maximum yield, Neon has an advantage with 113% of the CDI. For practicality combined with security, Nubank remains unbeatable. Those seeking additional benefits find in PicPay goal organization, and in 99Pay, integrated cashback.

The comparison table shows that all eight banks outperform traditional savings by at least 2.99 percentage points annually, creating substantial differences over the long term.

Technical Reasons for the CDI Superiority

Savings accounts use a static formula: 70% Selic + TR. The CDI, however, reflects the real economy dynamically, responding to monetary policy changes. This means that during periods of high Selic, like the current one, products linked to the CDI explode in profitability.

Furthermore, daily versus monthly updates generate a more powerful compound effect. One cent accruing daily over a year yields a higher return than the same cent earning once a month.

Beyond Yield: Additional Differentials

Many of these accounts are not limited to pure returns. They offer: expense organization by categories, cashback on purchases and transactions, integration with e-commerce ecosystems, access to loyalty programs, and no administrative fees.

These functionalities transform the financial management experience, making these products attractive even for those with multiple bank accounts.

Conclusion: The Path to Better Returns

In 2024, relying solely on savings accounts means leaving money on the table. Digital banks that use the CDI as a basis have emerged as a robust solution, offering yields 30% to 52% higher than traditional investments, with equivalent security.

The decision on the best savings bank should consider not only the offered CDI percentage but also financial organization tools, additional benefits, and user experience of the platform. In an environment of high interest rates, maximizing returns on savings is not a luxury but a necessity. Digital accounts with automatic yields represent the natural evolution of this strategy, accessible to any Brazilian with a smartphone and internet connection.