+ Get a $150 digital Visa Card when you open a Coast Capital Elevate Chequing Account online through Finder. Become a Finder Member for free in seconds to claim your reward. Offer ends December 5, 2025. T&Cs apply.
There’s much more to Canadian banks than just the Big Five. Not only is there a long list of other brick-and-mortar banks and credit unions, but recent years have seen the rise of digital banks and fintechs that offer a 100% online banking experience. But with so many options to choose from, what is the best bank in Canada?
That’s where we come in. We examined over 1,000 data points to come up with this list of the best Canadian banks by category. Keep reading to discover the best banks in Canada and decide which is right for you.
Summary: The 10 best banks in Canada
| Bank | What we like | Open an account | |
|---|---|---|---|
Best overall bank in Canada: |
| ||
Best bank for promotional offers: |
| ||
Best credit union in Canada: |
| ||
Exclusive | |||
Best online bank for no-fee banking: |
| ||
Best bank for product selection: |
| ||
Best bank for investing: |
| ||
Best for cashback: |
| ||
Best bank for ongoing interest rates: |
| ||
Best for mobile features: |
| ||
Best digital bank for students in Canada: |
| ||
Best overall bank in Canada: EQ Bank
EQ Bank Personal Account
Bonus Offer
Monthly Account Fee
Free Transactions
- $0 account fee
- Get unlimited transactions
- $0 Interac eTransfers
- Earn up to 2.75% interest on your balance
- EQ Bank will refund withdrawal fees for using any ATM across Canada
- No physical branches for in-person service
- Some standard banking features are not available like overdraft protection and the option of having paper statements
| 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 2.75% |
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 2.35% - 2.50% 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.
Best bank in Canada for promotional offers: BMO
BMO Performance Chequing Account
Bonus Offer
Monthly Account Fee
Free Transactions
Finder Reward
Get a $150 digital Visa gift card from Finder. Become a Finder Member and open a BMO Performance Chequing Account through Finder.- Unlimited monthly transactions
- Interac e-Transfers
- BMO will reverse the first accidental fee charged to this account
- Up to 20 accounts can be included in the BMO Family Bundle
- Earn a $700 welcome bonus
- Monthly fee of $17.95
- You won't earn any interest on the money in your account
| 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 $700 |
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. Get a $700 welcome bonus, plus a Walmart Delivery Pass subscription for up to 12 months when you open a BMO Performance Chequing and Savings Amplifier Account.* Valid until March 2, 2026. Plus, earn a 4.60% promo rate with a new Savings Amplifier Account. *Terms apply.
You can also take advantage of regular credit card deals. Sign up for the BMO eclipse rise Visa and get up to 25,000 in bonus points, for example. Or maybe you’d prefer a BMO CashBack Mastercard, where you can get up to 5% cashback in the first 3 months, or get up to 60,000 points 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.
Best credit union in Canada: Coast Capital
Coast Capital Elevate Chequing Account
Bonus Offer
Monthly Account Fee
Free Transactions
Finder Reward
Get a $150 digital Visa gift card from Finder. Become a Finder Member and open a Coast Capital Elevate Chequing Account through Finder.New members can get up to $600 when they open and use a Coast Capital Elevate Chequing Account. Conditions apply. Offer ends January 5, 2026.
- No monthly fee
- Unlimited free transactions
- No minimum balance required
- Deposit cheques on the app from your phone
- Withdraw money free of charge from 4,000+ ATMs across Canada.
- You'll have to pay $16.95 per month for this account
- Monthly fee applies
- Not available in Quebec
| Monthly Account Fee | $16.95 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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.
Best online bank for no-fee banking: Tangerine
Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account
Bonus Offer
Monthly Account Fee
Free Transactions
- Earn decent interest rates
- Unlimited transactions
- Free Interac e-Transfers
- Free cheques
- Mobile cheque deposits
- Charges for certain ATMs
- No in-person service
- Only one free replacement card
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $0 |
| NSF Fee | $45 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.5% |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Bonus Offer | Earn $250 |
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.
Best bank for product selection: Scotiabank
Scotiabank Preferred Package
Bonus Offer
Monthly Account Fee
Free Transactions
- Earn a welcome bonus of up to $700
- Get $0 transactions
- $0 Interac e-Transfers
- $16.95 account fee (waivable)
| Monthly Account Fee | $16.95 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $2 |
| NSF Fee | $48 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 2.5% |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
| Bonus Offer | Earn $700 |
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 the them. For example, choose the Preferred Package chequing account, and you can earn up to $700, a high rate on the MomentumPLUS Savings Accounts, preferred rates on GICs, a credit card fee rebate and a 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.
Best bank in Canada for investing: CIBC
CIBC Investor's Edge
Stock Trading Fee
Account Fee
Minimum Deposit
- Get access to a wide variety of securities and account types
- Regulated by CIRO (formerly IIROC), CIPF member (through its parent company, CIBC Investor Services)
- Discounts for active traders, young investors and students
- Fees are low for a Big Bank but higher than discount brokerages
| 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 met, or $100 |
| ETF Transaction Cost | $6.95 |
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.
Best for cashback: Neo Financial
Neo Everyday Account
Bonus Offer
Monthly Account Fee
Free Transactions
- Earn 2% on gas and groceries and 0.5% on all other spending when you have $3,000 in your account.
- Free unlimited transactions
- No minimum balance
- No account fee
- Free withdrawals from ATMs worldwide that display the Mastercard, Cirrus, or Maestro logos
- Online only with no physical branches
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| 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 | N/A |
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 Everyday 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.
Best bank for ongoing interest rates: PC Financial
PC Money Account
Interest Rate
Account Fee
Transaction Fee
- No monthly fees
- Earn 2.2% interest on your account balance
- Unlimited free transfers and Interac e-Transfers
- No minimum balance requirements
- No way to deposit cash or cheques at ATMs
- Can't order cheques
| Ongoing Interest Rate | 2.2% |
|---|---|
| Promotional Interest Rate | Up to 2.9% |
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
| Minimum Balance | $0 |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $100,000 |
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.
Best for mobile features: Wealthsimple
Wealthsimple Chequing Account
Bonus Offer
Monthly Account Fee
Free Transactions
- No monthly fees
- Earn up to 2.25% interest on your account balance
- Unlimited free transfers
- No minimum balance
- Invest your savings through Wealthsimple's trading accounts
- Get access to $0 commission stock trading
- No free ATM access (fee typically $3/withdrawal)
- Fees apply to managed investment accounts
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | unlimited |
| In-Network ATM Fee | $0 |
| NSF Fee | $0 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% |
| CDIC Deposit Insurance | $1,000,000 |
| Bonus Offer | No offer available |
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.
Best digital bank for students in Canada: Simplii Financial
Simplii Financial Student No Fee Chequing Account
Bonus Offer
Monthly Account Fee
Free Transactions
- Free unlimited transactions
- Earn $300 when you become a new client and set up a direct deposit of at least $100 for 3 months. Offer ends January 31, 2026.
- Easy, online application process that only takes a few minutes to complete
- Set up an account and get access to money straight away, with the remaining invested in a one-year GIC
- Maximum $20,000 in the GIC program
- Must provide proof of residency and school enrollment
| Monthly Account Fee | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free Transactions | unlimited |
| Interac e-Transfer Fee | $0 |
| In-Network ATM Fee | |
| Bonus Offer | Earn $300 |
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 $300 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.
Methodology: How we chose the best banks in Canada
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.
We ranked chequing accounts based on 17 data points within five major categories. Here’s how we ranked and weighted each product:
- Perks: 40% (ongoing and promotional interest rates, return on a $10,000 balance over one year, other tailored rewards, number of products offered)
- Fees: 20% (monthly fee, option to waive the monthly fee if necessary, transaction fees, e-Transfer fees, NSF fees, overdraft fees)
- Banking access: 15% (in-branch banking, online banking access, national availability)
- Customer experience: 15% (live chat availability, mobile app ratings)
- Minimum requirements: 10% (minimum deposit requirements, minimum balance requirements)
We ranked accounts based on 13 data points within five major categories. Here’s how we ranked and weighted each product:
- Perks: 45% (promotional interest rates, regular interest rates, other tailored rewards)
- Fees: 20% (monthly fee, option to waive the monthly fee (if necessary), transaction fees)
- Customer experience: 15% (Apple app store ratings, Google app store ratings, live chat availability)
- Banking access: 10% (in-branch banking, online banking access)
- Minimum requirements: 10% (minimum deposit requirements, minimum balance requirements)
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 account will be the best choice for everyone, so thoroughly compare your options before picking your new account.
Types of banks in Canada
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.
![]()
Big Five Banks
The Big Five is made up of Canada’s five largest banks in terms of assets:
- RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)
- TD (Toronto-Dominion Bank)
- BMO (Bank of Montreal)
- Scotiabank (Bank of Nova Scotia)
- CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce)
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.
![]()
Other brick-and-mortar 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:
- Alterna Bank
- ATB Financial
- Laurentian Bank
- National Bank
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:
- Chequing and savings accounts
- Credit cards
- Mortgages
- Personal loans
- Lines of credit
- GICs
![]()
Credit unions
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 the second quarter of 2024, the largest Canadian credit unions in terms of assets (excluding Quebec) are:
- Vancity
- Meridian Credit Union
- Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union
- Servus Credit Union
- First West Credit Union
- Desjardins Ontario Credit Union
- Access Credit Union
- Steinbach Credit Union
- Beem Credit Union
- Alterna Savings and Credit Union
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.
![]()
Digital banks
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:
- EQ Bank
- Manulife Bank
- Simplii Financial
- Tangerine
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.
![]()
Financial technology companies
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 Everyday 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.
What is the best bank in Canada?
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 2024 Canada Retail Banking Satisfaction Study, Tangerine came out on top with a score of 684 out of 1,000. It was closely followed by ATB Financial (653), Simplii Financial (649) and National Bank (636). RBC was the highest-ranked of the Big Five with a score of 623, followed by TD (608) and BMO (607).
The study included responses from 14,460 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 2024 Canada Retail Banking Advice Satisfaction Study, scoring 582 ahead of Scotiabank (568) and BMO (564). The study included responses from 2,822 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.
What products and services do banks in Canada offer?
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:
- Chequing accounts
- Savings accounts
- GICs
- TFSAs
- RRSPs
- RESPs
- FHSAs
- Lines of credit
- Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs)
- Personal loans
- Mutual funds
- ETFs
- Mortgages
How to choose the best bank in Canada for you
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.
Account fees
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:
- Excess transaction fees
- ATM withdrawal fees
- Overdraft fees
- Credit card annual fees
- Loan origination fees
Interest rates
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.
Online and mobile banking
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.
Branch network
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.
ATM 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.
Product range
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.
Special offers
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.
Customer support
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.
Which bank is best? Compare Canadian banks side by side
What is the best bank to open an account with in Canada?
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.
What is the safest bank in Canada?
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 TD (in sixth place), while Scotiabank, BMO and CIBC rank as the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth safest banks in the world.
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.
Where can I find the best bank interest rates in Canada?
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.
What is the biggest bank in Canada?
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.
What types of banks do Canadians typically open accounts with?
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 January 2025 revealed that the majority of Canadians (75.92%) would consider opening an account with the Big Banks, which is far higher than the next most popular option, digital banks and fintechs, at 48.25%.
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.
Are banks federally regulated in Canada?
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).
Bottom line
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.
Frequently asked questions about the best Canadian banks
Sources
More guides on Finder
-
How to choose the best bank for daily banking
Your guide to finding the best bank in Canada for personal banking and managing your money.
-
Tangerine new account offers and promotions
Explore all of the latest Tangerine new account offers and promotions available now.
-
KOHO vs Neo Financial: Which one is right for you?
KOHO and Neo Financial go head-to-head to determine which fintech challenger comes out on top.
-
Easiest bank account to open online in Canada
Compare six bank accounts that are quick and easy to open online.
-
Scotiabank promotions and offers
Explore all the latest Scotiabank promotions and offers available now.
-
16 best new bank account offers for December 2025
Earn cash, rewards points, bonus interest rates and more with these new bank account offers and promotions.
-
Bank of Canada interest rate forecast report
Read Finder’s BoC Interest Rate Report for forecasts from some of Canada’s brightest minds in economics and learn more about how recent rate increases could affect Canada’s real estate market.
-
Environmentally friendly banking
Learn about green banking that supports an eco-friendly lifestyle plus compare environmentally friendly banking options from major banks.
-
Help! My bank account is frozen
Learn how to fix a locked account or a blocked card — and how to make sure it doesn’t happen again.



















