Tangerine’s US Dollar Savings Account can be used to hold and grow your US dollar funds pending when you need them.
Like the other savings and chequing products this bank offers, you do not pay monthly account fees, and there are no minimums to watch out for.
While the savings interest rate you earn is only 0.10%, it beats what some big banks offer as of this writing.
This Tangerine US Dollar Account review covers its benefits, pros, cons, and alternatives.
TL;DR: Tangerine’s US Dollar Savings personal account pays a regular 0.1% interest. While this rate is higher than some big bank USD accounts, you can earn significantly more with the recently introduced EQ Bank US Dollar Account.
Tangerine US Dollar Savings Account
You can open a personal or business USD account at Tangerine and earn a “decent” rate on your money.
Features of the personal USD account include:
- No minimum account balance
- No monthly account fee
- An interest rate of 0.10%
- Easy access to USD GICs
- Eligible for CDIC protection
If you are planning on opening a Business Tangerine US Dollar Savings Account, there are a few extra steps you need to take.
You must have a USD business chequing account at another financial institution to easily transfer funds between this account and the one you open with Tangerine. You are also required to first open a Tangerine Business CAD Savings Account.
The business USD account offers a higher interest rate.
Pros and Cons of Tangerine USD Savings Account
Pros
When you open your first savings account, you earn a promotional rate for five months, after which the rate becomes 0.10%.
There is no minimum monthly balance required to keep the account fee-free, and you can transfer USD between your linked bank accounts free of charge.
If you do not plan on using your USD funds anytime soon, you can also open a Tangerine USD GIC account if the rates are better.
When the GIC matures, it is paid back into your USD savings account.
Cons
The regular 0.10% is significantly lower than what you earn from Tangerine’s online bank competitors like EQ Bank, ICICI, and Canadian Western Bank.
It took me over three months to open a Tangerine USD business account. The paperwork required was not straightforward, and responses from the bank were particularly slow.
Lastly, you cannot make bill payments or send Interac e-Transfer directly from your USD account.
Related: Tangerine Savings vs EQ Bank Savings Plus Account.
Tangerine vs. EQ Bank US Dollar Accounts
EQ Bank’s new U.S. Dollar Account offers the best savings rate for USD funds at 2.00%. This is 10x what you earn with a Tangerine US Dollar Account.
The main features of the EQ Bank US Dollar Savings Account are:
- No monthly account fees
- Non-promotional 3.00% interest rate on every dollar
- Free USD transfers between linked USD accounts in Canada
- Free CAD transfers from your EQ Bank Canadian dollar account to your USD account
- Access to cheaper international money transfers using Wise
- CDIC protection
Before opening an EQ Bank USD Account, you must open a free EQ Bank Savings Plus account. This account is denominated in Canadian dollars and offers a high interest rate.
Tangerine USD Account vs. Alternatives
The table below compares Tangerine’s USD offering with that of RBC, BMO, and EQ Bank.
Features | Tangerine US Dollars Savings Account | EQ Bank US Dollar Savings Account | RBC US High Interest Savings Account | BMO USD Premium Rate Savings Account |
Interest rate | 0.10% | 3.00% | 0.50% | 0.05% |
Monthly fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 (included with other bank plans) |
Minimum balance requirement | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Free transfers to linked accounts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Based on transactions included with your bank plan |
Free Interac e-Transfers | No | No | No | No |
Free debit payments | N/A | N/A | 1 per monthly cycle | N/A |
Physical branches | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
You can transfer your USD funds to a USD chequing account at another financial institution and withdraw your money that way.
No, you need to open a Tangerine Chequing account if you want to send email money transfers or pay bills.
Tangerine Bank has general savings, TFSA, RRSP, US$, RRIF, and Children’s Savings accounts.
Related:
Tangerine US Dollar Account Review
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Interest rate
Overall
Summary
The Tangerine US Dollar Account pays a competitive savings rate on your USD funds. This review covers its pros, cons, and alternatives like EQ Bank.
Pros
- No minimum balance
- No monthly fee
Cons
- Not the best savings rate on USD
You do not need any sort of business account to create a USD account at Tangerine. A personal account works just fine.
If I open a Tangerine USD chequing account, can I link it to my Tangerine debit card and use it in the United States to take money out of ATMs or to pay using my USD account?
@Ryan: I am not sure as I only have a Tangerine USD savings account and do not have a debit card.
Hello Enoch, Tangerine charges $10 annual inactivity fees for $CDN accounts. Does Tangerine also charge an inactivity fee for $USD Savings accounts?
Hi Enoch, can I use this Tangerine USD account to pay for online shopping which requires payment in USD?
@Dan: I don’t think so. You will need a USD credit card or a USD chequing account for that.