Do brokerages pay interest on uninvested cash?

Some do and some do not. Several Canadian fintech brokers pay interest on idle cash, sometimes at tiered rates by account type or balance. Many discount and bank-owned brokerages pay little or nothing on cash in a standard trading account.

How much interest can idle brokerage cash earn?

It depends entirely on the broker and the benchmark rate. At brokers that pay interest, a few thousand dollars a year on a large idle balance is possible, while at brokers that pay nothing the same cash earns zero. Rates change with central bank rates.

Is brokerage cash interest taxable?

Yes, interest earned on cash in a non-registered account is taxable as interest income each year. Interest earned inside a TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, or RESP is sheltered under that account's rules.

Idle Cash Interest Calculator (Canadian Brokers)

Interactive Tool

Idle cash interest

Cash sitting uninvested in your brokerage account can earn meaningful interest at some brokers and nothing at others. Compare what each pays on the Canadian and US dollars you leave idle.

See also the full broker comparison and how to choose a broker.

Last reviewed June 2026

Idle Canadian-dollar cash

Uninvested CAD sitting in your brokerage account.

Idle US-dollar cash

Uninvested USD, shown in US dollars.

Estimated annual interest on idle cash, highest first

1.What this shows. The annual interest each brokerage pays on uninvested cash held in your account, at representative posted rates. It is a comparison of the cost of leaving cash idle, not a projection of returns on invested money.

2.Rates move. Interest on cash tracks the Bank of Canada and US Federal Reserve benchmark rates and changes frequently. Several brokers pay tiered rates that depend on your account type or balance, and some pay nothing on cash in a standard trading account. Treat every figure here as representative and confirm the current rate directly with each brokerage.

3.Estimates only. Figures are modelled from posted rates for comparison, not as a quote, and exclude promotional or limited-time rates. Affiliate relationships do not affect the ranking.

4.Sources. Built from each broker's published cash interest rates. Full methodology: disclosures. For total trading cost, see the all-in cost calculator.

Idle cash interest

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