CommBank Business Online Saver vs NAB Business Cash Maximiser
Compare Australia's two largest commercial banks for holding business cash buffers and working capital reserves.
CommBank offers up to 1.30% p.a. for balances of $1M and over through NetBank/CommBiz, while NAB pays a flat 1.25% p.a. on the entire balance once $10k is reached. Both require maintaining an active everyday business operating account.
Business Online Saver
Tiered interest up to 1.30% p.a. on balances of $1,000,000+ paid on the whole balance (0.40% under $50k, 0.70% $50k-$250k, 1.10% $250k-$1M). No monthly account keeping fees. Requires a linked CommBank business transaction account.
NAB Business Cash Maximiser
Earn 1.25% p.a. on your whole balance when you hold $10,000 or more (0.00% under $10,000). No monthly account fees. Must hold an eligible linked NAB business transaction account.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison Matrix
| Feature / Rule | Business Online Saver | NAB Business Cash Maximiser |
|---|---|---|
| Interest Rate ($50k - $250k) | 0.70% p.a. | 1.25% p.a. |
| Interest Rate ($250k - $1M) | 1.10% p.a. | 1.25% p.a. |
| Top Balance Rate ($1M+) | 1.30% p.a. (whole balance) | 1.25% p.a. (whole balance) |
| Calculation Method | Whole balance tiered | Whole balance tiered ($10k+) |
| Linked Account Required | CommBank Business Transaction Account | NAB Business Everyday Account |
| Entity Compatibility | Sole Trader, Company, Trust, Partnership | Sole Trader, Company, Trust, Partnership |
Detailed Analytical Breakdown
Both Commonwealth Bank and NAB are dominant institutions for Australian business banking, providing deep integrations with accounting software (Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks) and extensive branch networks. However, their savings deposit yields operate on a 'whole balance' tiered schedule that requires careful management.
For balances between $10,000 and $1,000,000, NAB's Business Cash Maximiser pays a higher interest rate of 1.25% p.a. across the whole balance compared to CommBank's 0.40% to 1.10% brackets.
However, businesses holding very large surplus balances above $1,000,000 will find CommBank slightly more rewarding at 1.30% p.a. Both banks mandate linking a transaction account with their respective bank, which may attract monthly account-keeping fees unless minimum waiver rules are satisfied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do CBA and NAB pay interest on balances under $10,000?
NAB pays 0.00% interest on balances below $10,000. CommBank pays 0.40% p.a. on balances under $50,000.
Are these rates competitive compared to digital specialist business banks?
Major bank business cash accounts top out at around 1.25% to 1.30% p.a., whereas specialist digital business accounts (such as Macquarie at 4.65% or Judo at 4.60%) offer significantly higher returns for idle cash reserves.