There’s much more to Canadian banking than the traditional big institutions—there are also credit unions and digital banking options that often advertise more competitive rates and fees.
And while having so many options means you don’t have to settle for a one-size-fits-all banking experience, it also means it’s harder to decide which is the best bank in Canada for you.
That’s where we come in. We examined over 1,000 data points for personal banking options across Canada to come up with this list of the best banks by category. Keep reading to discover the best banks in Canada and how to decide which is right for your financial goals and needs.
| Bank | What we like | Open an account |
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Best overall bank in Canada:  EQ Bank |
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Best bank for promotional offers:  BMO |
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BMO Performance Chequing Account |
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Exclusive
+ Get a $175 digital Visa Card when you open a BMO Performance Chequing Account through Finder as a first-time customer—stack with BMO's offer for a total $1,275 bonus. Become a Finder Member in seconds for free to claim your reward. Keep the account open until the reward is paid. Offer ends November 30, 2026. T&Cs apply.
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Best credit union in Canada:  Coast Capital |
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Best online bank for no-fee banking:  Tangerine |
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Best bank for product selection:  Scotiabank |
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Scotiabank Preferred Package |
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Exclusive
+ Get a $100 digital Visa Card when you open a Scotiabank Preferred Package online through Finder. Become a Finder Member in seconds for free to claim your reward. Offer ends November 30, 2026. T&Cs apply. | ||
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Best bank for investing:  CIBC |
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Best for tiered ongoing rate:  Neo Financial |
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Neo Savings Account |
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Exclusive
+ Get an $80 digital Visa card from Finder when you open a Neo Savings Account online through Finder as a first-time customer, deposit at least $50 within 30 days of opening and keep the account active until February 15, 2027. One Neo reward per member. Offer ends December 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. T&Cs apply.
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Best for mobile features: 
Wealthsimple |
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Best bank for earning reward points:  PC Financial |
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Best digital bank for students in Canada:  Simplii Financial |
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| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $0 |
| NSF Fee | $0 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Bonus Offer | Earn 3.00% |
| Established in | 2016 (parent Equitable Bank founded in 1970) |
| Total assets managed (approx.) | $138 billion (EQB Inc. combined assets) |
| Number of customers (approx.) | 607,000+ |
| iOS mobile banking app rating |
4.8 –
★★★★★ 62K reviews |
| Android mobile banking app rating |
4.3 –
★★★★★ 13.8K reviews |
| Number of chequing & savings accounts | 2 core non-registered accounts (1 chequing + 1 savings) plus other registered accounts |
EQ Bank is our pick for the overall best bank in Canada for personal banking. You might be surprised not to see one of the Big Five topping the table, but once you take a closer look at the competitive products EQ offers, it’s easy to see why this digital bank comes out on top.
The list of EQ Bank benefits is headlined by its Personal Account, which essentially combines a chequing account and a savings account into one. Not only do you get unlimited free transactions, free e-Transfers and free ATM withdrawals across Canada, but you also get one of the highest interest rates in Canada on your balance.
And when you add the zero FX fees and the 0.5% cashback on your purchases you get with the EQ Bank Card, you’ve got an account that ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of people. EQ Bank also offers low-fee international money transfers (powered by Wise).
EQ Bank also offers the Notice Savings Account, which pays up to 2.50% - 3.00% interest, and you’ll get competitive rates on EQ GICs. Registered accounts, a USD savings account and an affordable international money transfer service round out the list of features.
Sure, the fact that EQ doesn’t have any branches might be a bridge too far for some, and you’ll need to look elsewhere if you want specific products like personal loans. But we think that for most Canadians, EQ Bank is the top choice.
| Monthly Account Fee | $17.95 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $0 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.5% |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Bonus Offer | Earn up to $1,100 |
| Established in | 1817 |
| Total assets managed (approx.) | $1.48 trillion |
| Number of customers (approx.) | 13 million+ (global) |
| iOS mobile banking app rating |
4.6 –
★★★★★ 113K reviews |
| Android mobile banking app rating |
4.7 –
★★★★★ 98.4K reviews |
| Number of chequing & savings accounts | ~8 (including performance, premium and savings options) |
Fancy yourself as a savvy shopper who always knows how to sniff out the best deals? We think you’ll appreciate what BMO has to offer. No matter what type of product you’re applying for, there’s a good chance BMO has an attractive offer to sweeten the deal.
Like if you’re applying for a new mortgage, you can get thousands in cashback. Or if you open a Premium or Performance Chequing Account and meet specific terms and conditions, you can get a large welcome bonus. Earn up to a $1,100 cash bonus. Plus, get a Walmart+ membership for up to 12 months. Valid until March 1, 2027
You can also take advantage of regular credit card deals. Sign up for the BMO eclipse rise Visa and get up to Up to 25,000 bonus points in bonus points, for example. Or maybe you’d prefer a BMO CashBack Mastercard, where you can get up to in the first 3 months, or get up to 70,000 with the BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Card.
With so many deals to choose from, BMO is a clear pick as the best bank for promotional offers. It also ranked third among the Big Banks in J.D. Power’s most recent Retail Banking Satisfaction Study.
Earn up to a $600 cash bonus when you open a Coast Capital Unlimited Chequing Account, and open and spend at least $1,000 on a new eligible credit card. Offer ends November 30, 2026.
| Monthly Account Fee | $8.50 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $0 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2% |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Bonus Offer | Earn up to $600 |
| Established in | 1940 (current form since 2000) |
| Total assets managed (approx.) | $24 billion |
| Number of customers (approx.) | 600,000 members |
| iOS mobile banking app rating |
4.5 –
★★★★★ 8K reviews |
| Android mobile banking app rating |
4.5 –
★★★★★ 6.53K reviews |
| Number of chequing & savings accounts | ~7 (chequing, savings and investment accounts) |
If you prefer the personalized service and community focus of a credit union, Coast Capital is the best credit union in Canada. It offers all the same key products and services as the major banks, but with an approach that’s member-centric rather than profit-driven.
It offers a selection of chequing accounts to suit different banking needs, including the Free Chequing, Free Debit, and More Account with free daily transactions and no monthly fee. There’s a High-Interest Savings Account too, plus a choice of six different credit cards.
GICs, mutual funds, registered accounts, mortgages, personal loans, lines of credit and auto financing are all available as well. And if you’re a senior, student or newcomer, there are special banking packages and discounts designed with you in mind.
Best of all, Coast Capital reinvests 10% of its bottom line each year to support local projects and initiatives. Maybe that’s why 600,000 Canadians choose Coast Capital for their banking needs.
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $0 |
| NSF Fee | $10 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.5% |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Bonus Offer | Earn $250 |
| Established in | 1997 (originally as ING Direct) |
| Total assets managed (approx.) | $50 billion+ (Sub-entity of Scotiabank) |
| Number of customers (approx.) | 2 million+ |
| iOS mobile banking app rating |
4.7 –
★★★★★ 76K reviews |
| Android mobile banking app rating |
4.3 –
★★★★★ 48.8K reviews |
| Number of chequing & savings accounts | ~6 (1 core chequing and 5 specialized savings options) |
Searching for a digital bank that offers a smooth daily banking experience with no fees? Tangerine has got you covered.
Its biggest selling point is the No-Fee Daily Chequing Account, which has no monthly fee and unlimited free transactions (including e-Transfers). You also get your first chequebook for free and free withdrawals at Scotiabank ABMs.
Then there’s the Tangerine Savings Account, which offers a great introductory rate of 4.5% for 5 months, and which also doesn’t have any monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. Tangerine’s World Mastercard and Money-Back Credit Card also have no annual fees, so it’s easy to avoid unnecessary charges with Tangerine.
And with user-friendly online and mobile banking platforms available, it’s easy to see why Tangerine takes the win in this category. It’s also worth noting that Tangerine has won first place for the past 14 years straight among midsize banks in J.D. Power’s Canada Retail Banking Satisfaction Study.
| Monthly Account Fee | $16.95 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $2 |
| NSF Fee | $10 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.5% |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Bonus Offer | Earn up to $1,000 |
| Established in | 1832 |
| Total assets managed (approx.) | $1.5 trillion |
| Number of customers (approx.) | 25 million+ (global) |
| iOS mobile banking app rating |
4.7 –
★★★★★ 967K reviews |
| Android mobile banking app rating |
4.8 –
★★★★★ 241K reviews |
| Number of chequing & savings accounts | ~9 (6 chequing and 3 core savings) |
When it comes to having a wide variety of banking needs and wanting the convenience of dealing with a single bank, Scotiabank is our pick for the best bank in Canada for product selection.
Compare Scotiabank side by side with other major banks, and it stacks up well across a range of categories. It has chequing accounts to suit a variety of different daily banking needs, with the option of avoiding monthly fees in many cases.
Savings account interest rates are competitive, and the reward-earning potential of Scotiabank’s credit cards—plus features like no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees—makes them popular choices for many Canadians.
Scotiabank also offers enticing package deals for anyone who wants to hold multiple products with them. For example, choose the Preferred Package chequing account, and you can earn up to $1,000, a high rate on the Scotia High Interest Savings Account, preferred rates on GICs, a credit card fee rebate and access to the Scotia iTrade investment platform.
With all the other highlights you’d expect from a major bank, including large branch and ABM networks as well as a user-friendly app, Scotiabank offers a complete suite of banking solutions. Add to that the fact the Scotiabank ranked third in a recent J.D. Power study among Canadian banks for customer satisfaction with its banking advice, and you can see why this bank made our list.
| Asset Types | Stocks Bonds Options Mutual Funds ETFs GICs Precious Metals IPOs |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Stock Trading Fee | $6.95 |
| Option Trading Fee | $6.95 (+$1.25 per contract) |
| Account Fee | $0 if conditions are met, or $100 |
| ETF Transaction Cost | $6.95 |
| Established in | 1961 (a merger of two different banks that were founded in 1867 and 1873) |
| Total assets managed (approx.) | $1.04 trillion |
| Number of customers (approx.) | 11 million+ |
| iOS mobile banking app rating |
4.2 –
★★★★★ 28K reviews |
| Android mobile banking app rating |
3.2 –
★★★★★ 54.3K reviews |
| Number of chequing & savings accounts | ~8 (including youth, senior and HISA options) |
Building wealth for a brighter financial future? CIBC offers all the tools you need to reach your goals. It all starts with the CIBC Investor’s Edge platform for self-directed investing.
You can use Investor’s Edge to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, options, mutual funds, bonds and more, with competitive commissions across the board. You can trade with cash or on margin, there’s a wide range of research tools to help inform your trading decisions, and there are fee discounts available for young people, students and active investors.
Alternatively, if you’d like expert investment advice, you can get personalized guidance tailored to your investment needs from a CIBC advisor.
CIBC also offers a range of GICs with competitive interest rates and terms of 1 to 5 years. Products like market-linked GICs and variable rate GICs are available too, along with the CIBC Flexible GIC that allows you to access your money whenever you need.
And with registered accounts like RRSPs, TFSAs, RESPs and FHSAs also at your disposal, it’s clear that CIBC is the best bank for investing in Canada. It also scored second place in the most recent J.D. Power Retail Banking Advice Satisfaction Study, which tells us that its customers are generally happy with the support they receive from CIBC.
| Ongoing Interest Rate | 3% |
|---|---|
| Promotional Interest Rate | No promotional rate available |
| Monthly Account Fee | |
| Minimum Balance | $0 |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Established in | 2019 |
| Total assets managed (approx.) | $650 million+ (in total funding; private institution) |
| Number of customers (approx.) | 1 million+ |
| iOS mobile banking app rating |
4.8 –
★★★★★ 56K reviews |
| Android mobile banking app rating |
4.8 –
★★★★★ 21.5K reviews |
| Number of chequing & savings accounts | 1 core hybrid chequing plus 1 savings account |
If you like being rewarded for your spending, then you’ll love our best pick for cashback—Neo Financial. While it’s not technically a bank, it offers CDIC insurance coverage for your funds plus attractive cashback rewards across its range of cards.
The Neo Mastercard lets you earn cashback on all your spending, including boosted cashback at partner retailers, with no annual fee. The Neo World Mastercard pays a high cashback rate on groceries, gas and recurring transactions, while the Neo World Elite Mastercard offers an even higher earn rate.
Or if you open a Neo Chequing Account with a Neo prepaid Money card, you get instant cashback when you shop at partners in Neo’s rewards network.
And with the ability to increase the cashback earning power of your card in specific categories by signing up for flexible monthly subscriptions, Neo is a top pick for any cashback junkie.
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $0 |
| NSF Fee | $0 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $1,000,000 |
| Bonus Offer | Earn up to 2.25% interest |
| Established in | 2014 |
| Total assets managed (approx.) | $101 billion |
| Number of customers (approx.) | 3 million+ |
| iOS mobile banking app rating |
4.6 –
★★★★★ 127K reviews |
| Android mobile banking app rating |
4.4 –
★★★★★ 80.3K reviews |
| Number of chequing & savings accounts | 1 hybrid account |
Almost half of all Canadians use mobile banking as the primary way they manage their money. And that’s why we chose Wealthsimple as the best option for mobile banking features. Even though it’s not technically a bank, it does offer up to $1 million of CDIC insurance coverage to keep your money safe.
With a streamlined and feature-packed user interface, the Wealthsimple app makes it quick and easy to perform all your day-to-day transactions. You can send e-Transfers, pay bills, deposit cheques, and check your balance and transaction history, all with a minimum of fuss.
But you can also use the Wealthsimple app to buy and sell dozens of cryptocurrencies, not to mention invest in thousands of stocks and ETFs commission-free.
And when you add in all the other features that make Wealthsimple stand out—like its high-interest Chequing Account that has no monthly fees—there are lots of reasons why you might want to consider switching to Wealthsimple.
| Ongoing Interest Rate | 2.2% |
|---|---|
| Promotional Interest Rate | Up to 2.2% |
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Balance | $0 |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Established in | 1996 |
| Total assets managed (approx.) | $5.8 billion (Approximate portfolio value) |
| Number of customers (approx.) | 3.5 million (active clients) |
| iOS mobile banking app rating |
4.7 –
★★★★★ 328K reviews |
| Android mobile banking app rating |
4.3 –
★★★★★ 52.2K reviews |
| Number of chequing & savings accounts | 1 core hybrid account |
Saving for a vacation, home deposit or just a rainy day? You’ll want to consider our pick of the best bank in Canada for ongoing interest rates, PC Financial. Its PC Money Account offers a juicy rate of 2.2%, which is one of the best rates among high interest savings accounts in Canada.
There’s no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement to worry about, and you don’t need to lock away your funds for a fixed period—you can access your money whenever you need it.
Speaking of which, the PC Money Account supports unlimited transactions, so you can shop in-store and online, pay bills and send e-Transfers. You also earn PC Optimum reward points on everyday banking transactions, and the points can be redeemed at over 4,500 stores.
Add in the extra security of CDIC protection, and you’ve got a savings account that offers plenty of bang for your buck.
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | |
| Bonus Offer | Earn $350 |
| Established in | 2017 |
| Total assets managed (approx.) | $1 trillion+ (Backed by parent CIBC) |
| Number of customers (approx.) | 2 million+ |
| iOS mobile banking app rating |
4.1 –
★★★★★ 13K reviews |
| Android mobile banking app rating |
3.6 –
★★★★★ 18.7K reviews |
| Number of chequing & savings accounts | ~3 (chequing, HISA and USD savings) |
Managing your money as a student takes discipline, self-control and careful budgeting—and a bank that has your back. And that’s why we chose Simplii Financial as the best digital bank for students in Canada.
The Simplii No-Fee Chequing Account offers unlimited transactions with no monthly fee or minimum deposit requirement, which is perfect for students on a tight budget. You also get free access to CIBC ATMs across Canada, and the $350 welcome bonus bonus when you sign up and set up a direct deposit is the icing on the cake.
Simplii also offers the Student Deposit Program and the International Student GIC Program, allowing international students to get their finances all set up before arriving in Canada. CIBC’s digital banking arm also offers the Simplii Financial Cash Back Visa, a credit card that pays cashback and has a low minimum income requirement.
Combined with a user-friendly app and online platform that remove the need to stand in a queue at a branch, that’s why Simplii Financial is our top pick as the best digital bank for students.
To determine this best list, Finder Canada analyzed over 100 chequing and savings accounts across 30+ financial institutions. Our team compared accounts from traditional banks, digital banks, fintechs and credit unions. We narrowed down the list to the top 10 best banks.
In addition, we added extra points for the number of different products a financial institution offers. This included products such as chequing accounts, savings accounts, credit cards and loans.
No single bank will be the best choice for everyone, so thoroughly compare your options before picking your new bank.
When choosing the best bank for your needs, you’ll wan to compare account features to make sure you’re not only signing up for an account that services your needs, but also one that isn’t charging you more than you need to pay. Use our exclusive bank account comparison tool below to compare different options before signing up.
Select two accounts from popular Canadian banks and fintechs below to see a side-by-side cost and feature comparison.
The best banks in Canada can be broken down into five categories: the Big Five, other brick-and mortar banks, credit unions, digital banks and financial technology companies.
The Big Five is made up of Canada’s five largest banks in terms of assets:
The Big Five is sometimes rounded up to the Big Six to include National Bank. Collectively, they serve tens of millions of customers each year.
These major banks all offer a full suite of banking products and services to Canadians. This includes chequing and savings accounts, GICs, credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, lines of credit and investment services.
The Big Five take a traditional approach to banking. They operate nationwide branch networks, so you can visit your nearest branch and talk to a real person if you need help managing your finances. They also have the largest ATM networks across Canada, but you can, of course, also manage your money via online and mobile banking.
Related: Compare Canada's Big Five banks
There are plenty of other Schedule 1 banks across Canada that may not have the same market share as the Big Five, but that operate physical branch networks. Examples include:
Some of these banks operate their own ATM networks. Others, such as Alterna Bank, offer fee-free access to The Exchange network of ATMs. They also offer easy access to online and mobile banking, so you can manage your money on the go.
Typically, these banks don’t offer quite as many products as the Big Five, but they still provide quite an extensive range of banking services, including:
Credit unions (and caisses populaires in Quebec) are non-profit financial cooperatives that are owned by their members. Unlike banks, which pass on profits to their shareholders, credit unions put their profits into offering better products for their members and serving their local communities.
As of early 2026, the largest Canadian credit unions in terms of assets (excluding Quebec) are:
Credit unions provide the same products as major banks, including chequing and savings accounts, mortgages, personal loans, credit cards and GICs. They operate physical branch networks, and they’re often localized in a specific province or region, so they can provide a more personalized approach to banking.
Credit unions also offer their own ATM networks, and some (including Meridian, Coast Capital and Vancity) are members of The Exchange network and offer access to a wider range of fee-free ATMs.
Dive deeper: Bank accounts offered by credit unions
The last decade or so has seen the rise of digital banks. As the name suggests, these providers are online only and do not operate any physical branches. Popular digital banks include:
Some digital banks are subsidiaries of traditional banks and credit unions and offer access to their parent company’s ATM network. For example, Simplii Financial is run by CIBC, while Tangerine is a subsidiary of Scotiabank.
Others, such as Manulife, are members of The Exchange network or—in the case of EQ Bank and its Personal Account—offer free withdrawals at any ATM across Canada.
If you’re thinking of opening an account with one of these banks, the main thing to be aware of is that you’ll need to be comfortable with digital banking. There’s no option to pop into a branch to access face-to-face customer service, so you’ll need to manage your money online or via a mobile app.
Digital banks also tend to have a smaller range of banking products than traditional banks. They offer chequing accounts, high-interest savings accounts, credit cards, GICs, personal loans and lines of credit.
They’re often a popular choice if you’re searching for a savings account, as digital banks tend to have significantly higher interest rates than traditional banks. Their no-fee chequing accounts also offer a competitive alternative to the monthly account maintenance fees often charged by major banks.
The rise in popularity of digital banks has been followed by the emergence of several alternative financial institutions. Though they’re not actually banks, these fintechs offer competitive bank accounts that you can manage via a mobile app or online.
One popular option is KOHO, which offers a hybrid account that combines the features of a chequing account and a savings account. When you spend with the prepaid Mastercard linked to our KOHO account, you earn 1%–2% cash back on purchases. But at the same time, you’ll earn 3.5%–5% interest on your account balance.
Neo Financial’s Chequing Account works like a no-fee chequing account, with free everyday transactions and no minimum balance required. But you also get cash back on your spending with a prepaid Neo Money card.
Wealthsimple also offers a hybrid account. The Wealthsimple Chequing Account offers no monthly fee and lets you take care of all your day-to-day banking, but it also pays between 2.75% and 3.75% interest on your balance.
Rather than offering a full suite of banking options, these alternative institutions provide a limited range of products targeting a specific niche. Some also offer the security of CDIC protection for the money you deposit, but they don’t have their own branch or ATM networks.
Our pick for the best bank in Canada is EQ Bank, with its Personal Account and cashback, high interest rates and no FX fees being its stand-out offerings. Compared to other banks in Canada, EQ Bank offers some of the most competitive rate and fee structures combined with unique perks.
Which bank is best in Canada for customer service?Tangerine Bank is the best bank in Canada for overall customer satisfaction, while RBC is the top pick out of the Big Five.
In the J.D. Power 2025 Canada Retail Banking Satisfaction Study, Tangerine came out in first place for the 14th consecutive year with a score of 683 out of 1,000. RBC was the highest-ranked of the Big Five with a score of 611, followed by CIBC scoring 607 to rank second and BMO taking third place by scoring 606.
The study included responses from 14,399 retail banking customers of large and mid-size retail banks, with satisfaction measured across seven categories: trust; people; account offerings; allowing customers to bank how and when they want; saving time and money; digital channels; and resolving problems or complaints.
RBC also beat the rest of the Big Five in the J.D. Power 2025 Canada Retail Banking Advice Satisfaction Study, scoring 595 ahead of CIBC (590) and Scotiabank (580). The study included responses from 2,582 Canadian retail bank customers about their satisfaction with the retail bank advice/guidance they received. Satisfaction was measured across five key categories: clarity, concern for needs, relevancy, quality and frequency.
The aim for banks in Canada is to provide a product or service for all of your financial needs. That’s why they offer everything from chequing and savings accounts to loans and investment options.
Big Banks tend to offer more products and services than digital banks—but digital banks are catching up. In general, most banks in Canada typically offer:
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a bank, but the number-one factor is your personal banking needs. So ask yourself, what am I looking for in a bank?
Do you want a no-fee chequing account for day-to-day banking, a high-interest savings account or a credit card that rewards you for your spending? Do you need branch access, or are you happy doing all of your banking online? How often do you need to send e-Transfers, cash cheques and make ATM withdrawals?
Once you know exactly what you need, you can start comparing banks and products. Keep the following factors in mind when choosing the best bank for you.
Most chequing accounts from major banks come with a monthly fee—the more transactions it supports per month, the higher the fee. However, in some cases, the fee can be waived if you meet a minimum balance requirement.
Credit unions offer low-fee accounts, while several digital banks and fintechs offer hybrid spending accounts that support unlimited transactions and don’t charge a monthly fee.
You’ll also need to check the fee details for any specific products you’re interested in, such as:
If you’re taking out a mortgage or personal loan, a lower interest rate is better. But if you’re opening a savings account, you’ll want to find the highest rate available to grow your balance sooner.
Compare rates across savings accounts, mortgages and other loans to find the best deal.
According to the Canadian Bankers Association, 77% of Canadians use digital channels to conduct most of their transactions. So, when you’re looking for the best bank in Canada, a key consideration is how easy it is to use their online and mobile banking platforms.
Check out online tutorials of the bank’s online banking and mobile app to gauge the user-friendliness. Read reviews for mobile banking apps on Google Play and in the App Store, and browse customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot to find out about other users’ experiences.
If you regularly need to access face-to-face customer service or perform in-branch transactions like depositing cash, choose a bank with convenient locations close to you. The Big Five banks have the widest coverage nationwide, but you may also find that a credit union based in your province serves you better for branch access.
If you choose a Big Five Bank, you’ll have fee-free access to a large network of ATMs across Canada. However, several smaller banks and credit unions allow their customers to access thousands of fee-free ATMs in The Exchange network. There are also some digital financial institutions like EQ Bank and Wealthsimple that reimburse you for any ATM fees you incur.
If you’re the type of person who likes to keep all your financial products with one bank, you’ll need to take a holistic view and compare each bank’s full suite of products. While Bank A may offer a chequing account that’s a good fit for you, Bank B may be a better choice for a rewards credit card, a low-rate personal loan or a high-interest savings account.
The best bank to open an account in Canada could also depend on your stage in life. Major banks and credit unions provide special banking packages for students, seniors and newcomers to Canada. These include waived or discounted fees, welcome bonuses, specialized support and discounts on other financial products, so this could sway your decision about where to open an account.
The quality of a bank’s customer support offerings should never be overlooked, especially in the age of digital banking. Research the bank’s customer support hours and how you can get in touch when you need help—phone, email and live chat are common options.
As for whether customers are satisfied with the level of service they receive, independent review sites like Trustpilot provide useful insights.
The best bank to open an account with in Canada is EQ Bank, because not only is it our top choice for the best bank in Canada overall, but its online platform allows you to open a bank account in just a few minutes from your phone or computer. Once you do, you’ll be able to access your account immediately and start earning interest on every dollar.
The safest bank in Canada is RBC, which also happens to be the safest bank in the world according to the most recent Global Finance World’s Safest Banks awards. Other Canadians banks that made the list are BMO, Scotiabank and CIBC, which rank as the 12th, 13th and 14th safest banks in the world, respectively. Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec made the list of safest banks in the world in the 20th spot.
That said, all of the Canadian banks on our list are in insured by the CDIC (Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation), which means that if the bank collapses, the Canadian government will guarantee your funds up to $100,000 per account.
The best savings account interest rates in Canada are typically offered by digital banks. With fewer overheads than banks that operate physical branches, digital banks can afford to offer higher interest rates on their savings accounts.
Check out our guide to the best high-interest savings accounts to get a better rate and help your money grow faster.
The biggest bank in Canada is RBC, according to both market cap (over $170 billion) and total assets (over $2,171 billion). The second biggest bank is TD by both metrics. After that, BMO takes third for market cap, and Scotiabank takes third for total assets.
Learn more about the biggest banks in Canada in our full guide here.
We surveyed Canadians to find out which types of banks and financial institutions they would consider opening an account with among the Big 5 Banks (RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank and CIBC), other brick-and-mortar banks (e.g. National Bank and ATB), digital banks or fintechs (e.g. Tangerine, Simplii Financial, EQ Bank or KOHO) and credit unions (e.g. Coast Capital, Meridian, Vancity or Alterna).
The results of our Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey March 2026 revealed that the majority of Canadians (68.06%) would consider opening an account with the Big Banks, which is far higher than the next most popular option, digital banks and fintechs, at 40.91%.
That indicates that the Big Banks are by far still the most trusted banking option for most Canadians, in spite of the growing popularity of digital banking alternatives over the past several years.
Since fee-free banking with digital banks is popular with nearly half of Canadians, we wanted to find out what the biggest draws are for the more than two-thirds of Canadians who consider paying a monthly fee with Big Bank accounts.
It turns out that credit card fee rebates, convenience and peace of mind are the biggest factors—an indication that Big Banks’ century-old reputation still goes a long way towards instilling financial trust in the average Canadian.
Yes, banks are federally regulated in Canada by the Bank Act and are supervised by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).
Regulated banks in Canada can fall under three categories — Schedule I (domestic banks), Schedule II (foreign bank subsidiaries) and Schedule III (foreign bank branches).
Choosing a bank is not a decision to be taken lightly. The best bank in Canada depends on your personal financial situation and banking needs, so compare banks and accounts before deciding where you should manage your money.
Explore key banking statistics and figures from the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey January 2025.
Compare the features of 8 of the best no-fee chequing accounts in Canada, and find out how to avoid transaction fees.
Earn cash, rewards points, bonus interest rates and more with these new bank account offers and promotions.
Learn about the different types of bank accounts for your teenager and how to choose the right one.
Compare chequing accounts and learn about our top picks. Compare different features and see which one is right for you.
Compare and open a bank account online in Canada in as little as 5 minutes. Learn what you need to apply and how to get started today.
This popular digital bank and fintech go head-to-head to see who comes out on top.
Should you choose Neo or Wealthsimple for your banking, credit card and investing needs?
New to KOHO? Check out available sign-up bonuses and referral codes available now.
KOHO and Neo Financial go head-to-head to determine which fintech challenger comes out on top.
We compare EQ Bank and Wealthsimple head to head to see how their banking products and services stack up against one another.
Compare Simplii Financial vs CIBC to find the best digital bank in Canada for you.
Simplii and EQ Bank go head to head on fees, features, rates and mobile apps.
Compare EQ Bank vs KOHO to find the best digital bank in Canada for you.
Earn cash, rewards points, bonus interest rates and more with these new bank account offers and promotions.
Compare Tangerine and EQ Bank to find the best digital bank in Canada for you.
