The 5 largest banks in the Canada, dubbed the Big Five, include TD Bank, RBC, Bank of Montreal, CIBC, and Scotiabank. Banking with these heavy-hitters gives you access to a variety of chequing and savings accounts and other financial products.
The Big Five banks in Canada — TD Bank, RBC, Bank of Montreal, CIBC, and Scotiabank — are the largest banking institutions by assets held and serve millions of customers each year. These powerhouses offer a wide range of personal and business financial products and together own the largest ATM networks in Canada. As of 2018, the largest of these banks, RBC, holds 1.28 trillion in assets followed closely by TD Bank at 1.26 trillion.
As of December, 2019, RBC has the largest market capitalization out of the Big Five, with TD Bank coming in at a second, well ahead of third-place Scotiabank. Since the Big Five hold such a large market share, they’re a popular choice among consumers thanks to their high levels of financial security. Regardless of which bank you choose, most Canadian financial institutions are backed by CDIC deposit insurance, which protects eligible deposits up to $100,000.
| Bank | Market capitalization (2019) |
|---|---|
| RBC | $116 billion (USD) |
| TD Bank | $104 billion (USD) |
| Scotiabank | $68 billion (USD) |
| BMO | $47 billion (USD) |
| CIBC | $39 billion (USD) |
There’s no one bank that is “best” overall, as what’s best for you will depend on your financial situation and goals. However, here are a few differences between the Big Five that may help sway you one way or another.
Choosing the best bank for you depends on your personal financial needs. The Big Five banks all offer a similar range of products and services, but there are a few key differences. First, consider the accounts and services you wish to use. For example, you might be interested in a high-yield savings account and a low-fee chequing account. Once you have this in mind, compare what each bank has to offer in terms of interest rates, fees, customer support and more.
From monthly fees to overdraft charges and everything in between, be sure to compare fee schedules between accounts. Some banks will waive your monthly fee if certain conditions are met, whereas others may charge you regardless. Be sure to consider how you will be using your account when considering the importance of fees. For instance, if you plan to frequently withdraw cash from ATMs, look into the fees associated with ATM transactions.
Convenient access to the money in your chequing account is another key factor in choosing the right product for your needs. Check out whether the account provides free access to ATMs, how many ATMs are in the bank’s network and where those ATMs are located. Also consider whether the bank will reimburse you for out-of-network ATM charges.
The Big Five banks all have Internet and mobile banking access, so it comes down to which offers the best customer experience. CIBC’s mobile banking app has a great reputation, but you may want to compare mobile banking apps to find out which would be best for your needs. Make sure that the bank and app you choose is compatible with your mobile device if you like banking on the go.
Although extremely rare, an interest-bearing chequing account can put your money to work when it’s not being used. Interest rates on chequing accounts at Big Five banks may not be much, but it can still grow your account balance. Interest rates may also be higher on balances that are above a certain threshold.
Minimum deposits and balance requirements may vary depending on which bank you choose. Plus, if you don’t meet the balance requirements, you might be charged a fee, which could eat into your balance. Shop around to find an account with a minimum deposit in your budget and balance requirements you can easily meet each month to avoid unnecessary charges.
Some banks offer incentives and perks to attract customers, including signup bonuses, free linked accounts, rewards programs and fee-free ATMs. Compare the features and signup bonuses of each account in order to make the most of your money.
If you prefer to do your banking in person, you might want to think about how many branches are in your area. There’s no point in opening an account with a bank if most of its branches are on the other side of town.
Interest rates determine how quickly your savings can grow. Look at the interest rates of each account to determine which one has the best value. With the Big Five, you may be able to get an introductory rate, which offers higher interest for a set period of time. Interest rates may also be higher on account balances that are above a certain threshold.
The Big Five banks all have Internet and mobile banking access, so it comes down to which offers the best customer experience. CIBC’s mobile banking app has a great reputation, but you may want to compare mobile banking apps to find out which would be best for your needs. Make sure that the bank and app you choose is compatible with your mobile device if you like banking on the go.
From monthly fees to overdraft charges and everything in between, be sure to compare fee schedules between accounts. Some banks will waive your monthly fee if certain conditions are met, whereas others may charge you regardless. Since you’re most likely opening a savings account to save money, it’s important to consider how fees might affect your savings goals.
Minimum deposits and balance requirements may vary depending on which bank you choose. Plus, if you don’t meet the balance requirements, you might be charged a fee, which could eat into your savings. Shop around to find an account with a minimum deposit in your budget and balance requirements you can easily meet each month to avoid unnecessary charges.
Some banks offer incentives and perks to attract customers, including signup bonuses, free linked accounts, rewards programs and fee-free ATMs. Compare the features and signup bonuses of each account in order to make the most of your savings.
If you prefer to do your banking in person, you might want to think about how many branches are in your area. There’s no point in opening an account with a bank if most of its branches are on the other side of town — unless you prefer an online savings account.
If financial stability is your number one priority when choosing a bank, then opening an account with one of the Big Five could be right for you. These powerhouses aren’t likely to fail any time soon and offer a wide range of financial products to meet your personal and business banking needs. However, these institutions aren’t known to have the most competitive interest rates or fees.
Compare the Big Five banks with smaller providers and credit unions to find the savings account that best fits your needs.
