Advertiser Disclosure

The content on this website includes links to our partners and we may receive compensation when you sign up, at no cost to you. This may impact which products or services we write about and where and how they appear on the site. It does not affect the objectivity of our evaluations or reviews. Read our disclosure.

Bridgewater Bank Review: Savings Account Rates, GICs, and More

Looking for a high-interest savings account (HISA) with truly “high” rates in Canada? You’ll be hard-pressed to identify any that beat the inflation rate.

Although HISAs have generally become a joke, online banks like Bridgewater Bank, EQ Bank, and Canadian Tire Bank are still worth checking out.

A high-interest savings account is handy when you need access to your principal or are saving towards a short-term financial goal (e.g., vacation, home down payment, or wedding).

This Bridgewater Bank review covers its financial products, pros, cons, and alternatives.

Related: EQ Bank Canada Review.

Who is Bridgewater Bank?

Bridgewater Bank is a Schedule I Chartered bank based in Calgary. It was founded in 1997 and is owned by the Alberta Motor Association.

The bank offers a high-interest savings account, Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs), and alternative lending solutions.

As of this writing, it had over $2.5 billion in assets under management.

Bridgewater Bank Savings Account

Bridgewater Bank’s savings account is referred to as the Smart eSavings Account.

This high-interest account offers a 3.45% rate and has the following features.

  • A minimum initial deposit of $25
  • One free withdrawal per month
  • Supports automatic pre-authorized contributions
  • Supports joint accounts
  • Eligible for Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) insurance

Note that additional withdrawals cost $5 each.

Also, a $20 fee applies if your cheque is dishonoured or when a pre-authorized debit is reversed.

Related: Best TFSA Savings Rates.

Bridgewater Bank GICs

GICs secure investments that guarantee your principal and pay a fixed or variable return for the length of time your money is invested.

Bridgewater Bank offers short-term GICs (180-364 days) and long-term GICs (1-5 years).

GIC rates as of July 15, 2023, are:

  • 1 year GIC: 5.11%
  • 2 year GIC: 5.03%
  • 3 year GIC: 4.95%
  • 4 year GIC: 4.06%
  • 5 year GIC: 4.03%

The minimum deposit for GICs is $5,000.

Related: Best GIC Rates in Canada.

Bridgewater Bank Mortgages

Bridgewater Bank provides mortgage loans in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

The mortgage terms offered are for 1, 2, 3, and 5 years and the rates are fixed.

It also offers mortgage life and disability insurance.

How To Open a Bridgewater Bank Account

To open a Bridgewater Bank Smart eSavings Account, you must be:

  • Resident in Canada
  • The age of the majority in your province
  • Have a savings or chequing account with another Canadian bank

You will need to provide your social insurance number and a personal cheque from a bank account in your name during the sign-up process.

You can reach the bank by phone at 1-866-243-4301, by email at customer.experience@bridgewaterbank.ca, or by mail at Bridgewater Bank, Suite 150, 926 – 5th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 0N7.

Downsides of Bridgewater Bank

  • Bridgewater Bank Smart eSavings Account is not available to residents of Quebec.
  • It has no physical branches you can walk into for in-person service.
  • You need a minimum deposit of $5,000 for GIC investments.
  • HISA and GICs are not offered for registered accounts (e.g., TFSA and RRSP).
  • It does not offer business accounts.
  • Its savings account allows only one free withdrawal per month.

Is Bridgewater Bank Safe?

Bridgewater Bank is a member of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, which means your deposits may be protected up to $100,000.

It is a member of Payments Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Also, the bank is regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.

Bridgewater Bank vs. EQ Bank vs. Canadian Tire Bank

For top savings rates in today’s low-interest environment, the following online banks are worth checking out:

1. EQ Bank

EQ Bank Savings Plus Account

EQ Bank tfsa.

3.00%* non-promotional interest rate

Unlimited debits and bill payments

Unlimited Interac e-Transfers

No monthly account fees

EQ Bank’s HISA is referred to as the Savings Plus Account and offers:

  • High-interest rate on every dollar
  • Unlimited free debit transactions and bill payments
  • Unlimited free Interac e-Transfers
  • Free mobile cheque deposits
  • Supports joint accounts
  • No monthly account fee
  • CDIC insurance eligible

EQ Bank also has TFSA and RSP savings accounts and GICs.

2. Canadian Tire Bank

While not as popular as its Triangle credit cards, Canadian Tire Bank has a high-interest savings account.

This HISA has no monthly fees. Canadian Tire Bank also offers GICs and a Tax-Free Savings Account.

3. Simplii Financial

Simplii Financial offers a 5.25% promo rate for the first 5 months. It also has a free chequing account and other products.

Simplii High-Interest Savings Account

simpliifinancialnewlogo3-img

6.00%* rate for 5 months

Unlimited debits and bill payments

Unlimited Interac e-Transfers

$400 cash bonus offer with a free chequing account

Related: Best Stock Trading Apps.

 Bridgewater Bank Smart eSavingsEQ Bank Savings Plus AccountCanadian Tire Bank HISA
Monthly fee$0$0$0
HISA rate3.25%2.50% to 3.00% 3.00%
Free transactions1 free transfer to linked personal account/monthUnlimited free debits, bill payments, and electronic find transfersFree transfers to linked personal account
Free Interac e-TransfersN/AFree and unlimitedNA
Withdrawals fees$5 each per additional withdrawal in a calendar month$0N/A
CDIC insurance eligibleYesYesYes
Learn moreOpen an accountRead review
Bridgewater Bank review
Overall
4.5

Summary

Bridgewater Bank is an online bank in Canada. This Bridgewater Bank review covers its savings account, GIC rates, benefits, downsides, and alternatives.

Top Banking Offers in September

Get a top-rated chequing account and up to a $400 bonus

Get up to a $400 cash bonus when you meet minimum requirements.

Unlimited transactions, including debits and Interac e-Transfer transactions.

Monthly account fee is waived if eligible (and 5 ATM fees rebated monthly).

Access to a high-interest savings account.

Stop paying monthly fees with a free chequing account + $400 bonus

Easy $400 cash bonus when you direct deposit $100 for three months.

Unlimited debits, online bill payments and Interac e-Transfer transactions.

No monthly account or transaction fees.

Get a high-interest rate on your savings (6.00% interest rate offer).

Get a $100 bonus with the top no-fee cashback credit card

Get a $100 welcome bonus with $1,000 spending in first 2 months.

Earn 2% unlimited cash back in 3 spending categories - no annual fees!

0.5% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.

1.95% low-interest balance transfer rate and free insurance coverage.

Retirement 101 eBook - 3D

Author

Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu is a personal finance expert and a veterinarian. He has a master’s degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School (Scotland) and has completed several courses and certificates in finance, including the Canadian Securities Course. He also has an MSc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Manitoba and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Ibadan. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and has been writing about money matters for over a decade. He has been featured or quoted in Forbes, The Globe and Mail, Business Insider, Winnipeg Free Press, Wealthsimple, CBC News, Financial Post, Toronto Star, CTV News, Canadian Securities Exchange, Credit Canada, and many other personal finance publications. You can learn more about him on the About Page.

His top investment tools include Wealthsimple and Questrade. He earns cash back on purchases using KOHO, monitors his credit score for free using Borrowell, and earns interest on savings through EQ Bank.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Earn up to 225x more than other banks!
  • Get 2.25% interest rate* on every dollar.
  • No monthly fees and unlimited free transactions ($20 bonus).
Interest is calculated daily on the total closing balance and paid monthly. Rates are per annum and subject to change without notice.
  • Earn up to 225x more than other banks!
  • Get 2.25% interest rate* on every dollar.
  • No monthly fees & $20 welcome bonus.
Interest is calculated daily on the total closing balance and paid monthly. Rates are per annum and subject to change without notice.