Called the Target Saver, the rate applies across the group (TMBL) including Teachers Mutual Bank, UniBank, Firefighters Mutual, Health Professionals, and Hiver.
To attain the full rate, there is a $1,000 minimum monthly deposit required - savers also can't make any withdrawals and must have a positive balance at all times.
Should savers fail to meet this criteria in a given month the base rate of 0.01% p.a. applies.
Notably, the account features a maximum balance of $5 million; 5.50% p.a. at $5 million accrues $275,000 per year.
This would then attract the top marginal income tax rate of 45% and assuming no other income is earned would result in a net $180,583.
Deposits are backed by the federal government guarantee up to $250,000.
This account is outdone only by ME Bank's top rate of 5.65% p.a. available on its HomeME product, available exclusively on the 'ME Go' app, according to InfoChoice's product database.
It's also outdone by Macquarie Bank's 5.55% p.a. but that applies only for four months.
TMBL's move is also notable in that it happened in a non-RBA hiking month, while many of its top-rate contemporaries last increased in June.
As of June 2023 TMBL is the fifth-largest customer-owned bank in Australia, according to APRA data, with more than $10.7 billion in residents' assets.
Savings Account Leaderboard: 8 August 2023
Bank | Top Rate % Per Annum | Conditions |
ME Bank | 5.65 | Deposit $2k/month into transaction account, grow balance, maximum balance $100k |
Macquarie Bank | 5.55 | Four-month fixed intro rate, max balance $250k |
Teachers Mutual | 5.50 | Deposit $1k/month, no withdrawals |
ING | 5.50 | Deposit $1k/month, grow balance, 5 card transactions, max balance $100k |
RaboBank | 5.50 | Four-month variable intro rate, max balance $250k |
Bank of Queensland | 5.50 | Ages 14-35, deposit $1k/month, 5 card transactions, max balance $50k |
Move Bank | 5.50 | Deposit $200/month, maximum balance $25k, no withdrawals |
Source: InfoChoice Product Database