GICs are notably protected as a result of they provide you a assured return, not like different investments which have variable returns, comparable to shares and bonds. And while you spend money on GICs at a monetary establishment that may be a member of the Canada Deposit Insurance coverage Company (CDIC), your deposits are eligible to be protected by government-backed insurance coverage as much as $100,000 per eligible account.
The low-risk nature of GICs makes them ideally suited when saving for a giant purpose with a deadline, like a down fee on a house or a giant trip, in addition to while you wish to shield your capital—for instance, when you’re approaching retirement or already retired.
Lately, GIC charges have risen considerably. Let’s check out how GIC rates of interest are decided.
What impacts GIC rates of interest?Â
GIC charges are primarily affected by the Financial institution of Canada’s (BoC) coverage rate of interest (additionally known as the goal in a single day fee or benchmark rate of interest) and by market competitors amongst banks in your deposits.
When the BoC raises the coverage rate of interest, banks should pay extra to borrow cash from one another. This value is handed on to shoppers within the type of greater charges for mortgages and contours of credit score, but it surely additionally incentivizes banks to pay greater rates of interest for deposits, together with investments in GICs.
It’s a sport of provide and demand. The extra a financial institution wants deposits, the extra curiosity it will likely be prepared to pay. This typically manifests as particular gives, the place a financial institution pays above-market charges on a few of its GICs. This not solely creates higher alternatives for buyers however places upward stress on GIC charges as a complete.
The current pattern of rising charges has pushed GIC charges up considerably. Right now final yr, Scotiabank paid 0.60% curiosity on an 18-month non-redeemable GIC. Scotiabank is now providing 4.8% curiosity on the identical funding (as of March 6, 2023).
Charges are additionally affected by a GIC’s options. You’ll be able to normally earn greater rates of interest by committing to longer phrases, like 5 or 10 years, for instance. You may also earn extra curiosity for choosing a non-redeemable GIC, which will not be withdrawn early. Typically talking, the much less entry it’s a must to your funds earlier than the GIC’s maturity date and the extra dedicated you might be to leaving your cash within the GIC, the extra curiosity you’ll obtain.