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Best new chequing account offers for October 2024

Stash your cash and score a sweet bonus with these new chequing account offers and promotions.

We're used to giving banks our money, but what happens when a bank wants your business? They start to offer you money. Canadian banks use new bank account offers like cash bonuses, free stuff, gift cards and bonus interest rates to entice you to switch.

So, if you're considering switching your chequing account, it's worth first comparing the best promotions on now in Canada. We chose these top bank offers after analyzing over 20 Canadian financial institutions and more than 45 accounts.

Sign-up Offer

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  • Get up to a $600 bonus
  • Earn up to 5.65% interest for 3 months on a MomentumPLUS Savings Account
  • Unlimited free transactions & $0 Interac e-Transfers
  • $16.95 monthly fee waived on $4,000+ balances

No Monthly Fees

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  • Earn a $500 bonus
  • $0 account fee
  • Unlimited free transactions
  • $0 Interac e-Transfers
  • No minimum balance requirements

Earn Interest

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  • Earn 4.00% interest for 12 months
  • No monthly account fee
  • Free ATM withdrawals across Canada
  • No transaction fees
  • No e-Transfer fees

Compare the best new chequing account offers

1 - 8 of 8
Name Product CAFSA-CHQ Finder Rating Bonus Offer Monthly Account Fee Features Offer
BMO Performance Chequing Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.7 / 5
Earn $600
$17.95 (can be waived)
  • Earn up to 5.50% interest on a savings account
  • Free transactions & Interac e-Transfers
  • Monthly fee of $17.95 (waived on $4,000+ balances)
Get up to a $600 cash bonus. Valid until October 31, 2024. Plus, earn a 5.50% promo interest rate when you open a Performance Chequing and a Savings Amplifier Account.
Scotiabank Preferred Package
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.7 / 5
Earn $600
$16.95 (can be waived)
  • Interest rate boost on a MomentumPLUS Account
  • Free transactions & Interac e-Transfers
  • Monthly fee of $16.95 (waived on $4,000+ balances)
Earn up to $600 with a Scotiabank Preferred package and an investment plan. Valid until October 31, 2024. Plus, earn up to 5.65% interest for 3 months on your MomentumPLUS Savings Account.
Simplii No Fee Chequing Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.9 / 5
Earn $500
$0
  • Free transactions & Interac e-Transfers
  • Pay no monthly account fee
  • No min. balance requirements
Earn $500 when you become a new client and set up a direct deposit of at least $100 for 3 months. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
EQ Bank Personal Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
4.3 / 5
Earn 4.00% interest for 12 months
$0
  • Free ATM withdrawals across Canada
  • Pay no monthly account fee
  • Free transactions & Interac e-Transfers
Enjoy high interest with no fees on everyday banking, plus unlimited transactions and no minimum balances. Sign up online in minutes.
RBC Signature No Limit Banking Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.8 / 5
Get an iPad
$16.95 (can be waived)
  • Earn Avion points on debit transactions
  • 6 free bank drafts per year & 1 free cheque book
  • Monthly fee of $16.95 (can be reduced)
Get the new iPad when you switch to RBC & open an RBC Signature No Limit Banking Account. Valid until September 30, 2024.
CIBC Smart Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.6 / 5
Earn $600
$16.95 (can be waived)
  • $6.95/month for up to 12 transactions
  • $1.25 each for 12+ transactions, up to total monthly fee of $16.95
  • Monthly fee waived with min. balance of $4,000
Earn $600 when you open a CIBC Smart Account and a CIBC eAdvantage Savings Account in the same month. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
More Info
TD Unlimited Chequing Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.7 / 5
Earn $600
$16.95 (can be waived)
  • Free transactions & Interac e-Transfers
  • Monthly fee of $16.95 (waived on $4,000+ balances)
Earn a welcome bonus worth $600 when you sign up for this account, complete some general banking tasks and open a new eligible savings account with a $10,000+ deposit. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
More Info
Coast Capital Elevate Chequing Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.7 / 5
Get $600
$16.95 (can be waived)
  • Free transactions & Interac e-Transfers
  • 3 free international ATM withdrawals per year
  • Monthly account fee of $16.95 (can be reduced)
Get up to $600 when you open an Elevate Chequing Account. Conditions apply. Apply by November 28, 2024.
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What to consider when comparing bank promotions in Canada

New bank account offers and bank promotions come with attractive perks, but switching accounts may not be right for you. Here are a few things to think about:

  • What are the new account’s ongoing fees and features? Don’t let offers to open a new bank account distract you from an account’s ongoing fees and features. Are there fees for transactions, transfers, account maintenance or ATM usage? Is there a mobile banking app? Does the bank operate solely online, or are there branches you can visit for in-person service?
  • When does the new bank account offer end? Bank promotions in Canada come and go. New account offers may only last a few months. It’s good to carefully consider your options, but don’t take too long, or you might miss out on a great bonus.
  • Are you satisfied with your current bank? It may be worth switching banks if your current bank doesn’t offer good service or another bank offers better accounts and products for your needs.
  • Is it easy to open a new account? It’s usually pretty easy to open a bank account online, although some banks have branches where you can get help in person.

How to get a new bank account offer and bank promotions

To take advantage of bank promotions in Canada, all you have to do is open an account within the promotional time period. It’s that simple. Here’s how the process works:

  1. Compare bank promotions. Compare rewards and bonuses for different new bank account offers. Also, look at ongoing fees, features and minimum balance requirements (if any) for any accounts you’re interested in opening.
  2. Apply for an account. It’s easy to apply for a bank account online. Visit the bank’s website, and apply to open an account by providing your name, contact details, basic employment info, Social Insurance Number (SIN) and your reason for opening an account (i.e. spending, saving, investing).
  3. Submit proof of ID. Upload a copy of a valid, government-issued ID such as a driver’s license, passport or Permanent Resident card. If you don’t have a photo ID, learn more about your options here.
  4. Start using your account. Once approved, you’ll likely have immediate access to your online account and can register for online and mobile banking. You’ll receive your debit card in the mail shortly.
  5. Get your new account benefits! After satisfying all the requirements of your new account offer, you’ll get your reward or bonus. Some bank promotions in Canada require a minimum deposit or several months of using direct deposit or bill payment features before you can receive a new account bonus.

How to qualify for a new bank account offer

Some bank promotions in Canada offer a bonus just for opening an account. Other new bank offers require you to jump through a few hoops to land a special deal. Requirements might include the following:

  • Make a one-time or recurring minimum deposit
  • Use direct deposit or automatic bill payments for at least several months
  • Bundle your account with other products & services (i.e. a savings account or credit card)
  • Get friends or family to sign up using your referral code
  • Show proof of academic enrollment (for student bank account offers)

To qualify for any bank promotion, be prepared to show valid, government-issued photo ID and proof that you live in Canada. You’ll also be asked to submit your name and contact information. Be aware that bank promos aren’t available for accounts you already have.

Do Canadians plan to open chequing accounts?

Yes, it looks like opening a chequing account is a top financial priority for many Canadians. In January 2023, Finder asked more than 1,840 Canadians about their financial plans in 2023.

When asked what type of bank accounts and banking products respondents planned to open in the first three months of 2023, almost 1 in 5 Canadians (17%) said they planned to open a chequing account.

The number of Canadians that plan to open a chequing account rose from the Q1 2023, to Q2 2023. According to results from the Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey Q2, 22% of respondents plan to open a chequing account — an overall increase of 29% in the number of Canadians planning to open a chequing account.

With bank promotional offers getting more competitive, we can expect to see similar interest from Canadians looking to open chequing accounts throughout 2024 as well.

Frequently asked questions about bank promotions

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Publisher

Chelsey Hurst is a publisher at Finder, specializing in banking and investments. She loves empowering people to avoid financial pitfalls and make better decisions with their money. Chelsey has a Bachelor of Science from Redeemer University, a Master of Science from McMaster University, and has won multiple awards for research communication. In her spare time, Chelsey enjoys cooking and taking long walks in nature. See full bio

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