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