Can you get a credit card from a different bank?

While getting a credit card from the same bank that you have a cheque or savings account with might offer some convenience, there can be benefits in getting a credit card from another bank. Use this guide to weigh your options and decide whether or not you should get a credit card with your current bank or another provider.

Can I get a credit card from another bank?

Yes, you can apply for a credit card with any bank that’s not your own bank. For example, you can get a credit card with RBC even if you bank exclusively with TD. You don’t need to have a bank account in order to apply for a credit card and you can simultaneously have multiple credit cards from different banks.

When you’re looking to get a new credit card there are perks to both staying with your existing bank and choosing to sign up with a new one. If you’re having trouble deciding, use the comparison below to determine which strategy is right for you.

Top credit card offers for May 2023

These are the top credit card offers that grabbed our attention. Select your credit score below to see the cards that are a good fit for you.

$0 annual fee and up to 2 cash back

Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card

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Get up to 30,000 bonus points

American Express Cobalt Card

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Earn up to 90,000 bonus points

BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege

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Earn 2% cash back on groceries

RBC Cash Back Mastercard

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Getting a credit card with your existing bank

• When you get a credit card from another bank, you may be stepping into unfamiliar territory. You’ll have to log in to a new banking portal to see your credit card balance and you won’t be able to transfer funds between your accounts easily. You may also struggle with accessing the same level of customer service if you run into issues with your account when you get a credit card from a different bank.
• Simple application process. When you apply for a credit card with your existing bank, your provider will have all of your financial information available to assess your eligibility. When you apply for a credit card from another bank, you may have to supply additional documents to get approved. You could also face more strict eligibility criteria to qualify if you don’t have a long-standing history with the other bank.

Getting a credit card with a different bank

• Promotional offers. The primary reason you might want to get a credit card from another bank is to take advantage of promotional offers. For example, some credit cards offer 0% balance transfers for up to 12 months or welcome bonus points with a rewards or travel points program. These offers are usually only available for new applicants and may not be available if you already bank with the provider.
• Getting a better deal.Applying for a credit card from another bank can give you more competitive interest rates or fees. You may also get a wider array of benefits or a higher return on rewards with a credit card from another bank. You can use the comparison table below to compare credit cards from different banks. Pay attention to the annual fees, interest rates and features such as rewards and complimentary insurances to see how providers stack up.

Compare credit cards with introductory offers

Ready to get a credit card from another bank? Check out the promotional credit card offers below.

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Name	Product	Welcome Offer	Rewards	Purchase Interest Rate	Annual Fee		Min. Credit Score	Description
RBC Cash Back Mastercard RBC Cash Back Mastercard		N/A	Up to 2% cash back	20.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 650	Get 2% cash back on grocery store purchases, and up to 1% cash back on all other qualifying purchases and pre-authorized payments.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO CashBack Mastercard BMO CashBack Mastercard		5% cash back	Up to 3% cash back	20.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Get 5% cash back on all eligible purchases in the first three months of card membership (up to max. spend of $2,500). Plus, get a rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for 9 months. A 2% fee applies to transferred balances.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
OFFER Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card	OFFER	10% cash back	Up to 2% cash back	19.95%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 600	Earn 10% cash back (up to $100) when you spend $1,000 in the first 2 months. Valid until July 5, 2023. Plus, get a 1.95% interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
OFFER Tangerine World Mastercard Tangerine World Mastercard	OFFER	10% cash back	Up to 2% cash back	19.95%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 600	Earn 10% cash back (up to $100) when you spend $1,000 in the first 2 months. Valid until July 5, 2023. Plus, get a 1.95% interest rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Neo Financial Mastercard Neo Financial Mastercard		Get $25.00 + up to 15% cash back	Average 5% cash back	19.99% - 26.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 600	Get $25 when you sign up for the Neo Financial Mastercard. Plus, earn bonuses like 15% cashback on your first purchase at most partners, and earn an average of 5% cashback at thousands of partners and at least 0.5% cashback guaranteed.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
RBC Avion Visa Infinite RBC Avion Visa Infinite		35,000 points	Up to 1 point per $1 spent	20.99%	$120	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 650	Get up to 35,000 Welcome Points.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Cobalt Card American Express Cobalt Card		30,000 points	Up to 5x points per $1 spent	20.99%	$155.88	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 700	Earn up to 30,000 Membership Rewards points in your first year. Earn 2,500 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $500 in net purchases on your card (up to 30,000 points). That’s up to $300 towards a weekend getaway or concert tickets.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard		0.99% rate on balance transfers for 9 months	N/A	13.99%	$0 annual fee for the first year ($29 thereafter)	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Get a rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for 9 months with a 2% transfer fee. Plus, get the $29 annual fee waived in the first year.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
RBC ION+ Visa RBC ION+ Visa		7,000 points	3 points per $1 spent	20.99%	$48	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Get up to 7,000 points. Get 3,500 Welcome Points on approval and earn 3,500 bonus points when you spend $500 in your first 3 months. Apply by July 31, 2023.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
RBC ION Visa RBC ION Visa		3,500 points	1.5 points per $1 spent	20.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Get 3,500 Avion points when you get approved for the card. Apply by July 31, 2023.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Green Card American Express Green Card		10,000 points	1 point per $1 spent	20.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 700	Earn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points when you charge $1,000 in purchases to your card in the first 3 months as a new Cardmember. That’s $100 towards groceries or concert tickets.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard		60,000 points	Up to 5x points per $1 spent	20.99%	$0 annual fee for the first year ($150 thereafter)	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 760	Get up to 60,000 points and get the $150 annual fee waived in the first year.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO Rewards Mastercard BMO Rewards Mastercard		10,000 points	Up to 1 points per $1 spent	20.99%	$0	Apply now	Min. recommended credit score: 725	Get a bonus of 10,000 BMO Rewards points when you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, get a rate of 0.99% on balance transfers for 9 months. A 2% fee applies to transferred balances.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege		90,000 points	5 points per $1 spent	20.99%	$499	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 760	Get up to 90,000 welcome points in your first year.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
SimplyCash Card from American Express SimplyCash Card from American Express		$100 in statement credits	Up to 2% cash back	20.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 700	In your first 10 months, earn a $10 statement credit for each monthly billing period in which you spend $300 in purchases. This could add up to $100 in statement credits in the first 10 months.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card		35,000 points	Up to 3 points per $1 spent	20.99%	$0 annual fee for the first year ($150 thereafter)	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 750	Earn up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points and get the first year annual fee waived (that’s up to $1,100 in value in the first 12 months). Apply by October 31, 2023.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Scotiabank SCENE Visa Card Scotiabank SCENE Visa Card		5,000 points	Up to 2 points per $1 spent	19.99%	$0	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Earn 5,000 Scene+ points when you spend $750 in the first 3 months. Apply by October 31, 2023.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Scotiabank Gold American Express Card Scotiabank Gold American Express Card		40,000 points	Up to 6 points per $1 spent	20.99%	$0 annual fee for the first year ($120 thereafter)	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 700	Earn up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points in your first year (that's up to $650 towards travel) and get the first year annual fee waived. Apply by October 31, 2023.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Scotiabank Value Visa Card Scotiabank Value Visa Card		0% on cash advances for 6 months	N/A	12.99%	$0 annual fee for the first year ($29 thereafter)	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 660	Get a 0% introductory interest rate on cash advances for the first 6 months. Plus, pay no annual fee in the first year. Apply by October 31, 2023.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card		115,000 points	Up to 3x points	20.99%	$599	Apply now More Info	Min. recommended credit score: 700	Earn up to 115,000 Welcome Bonus Aeroplan points. That's a first year value of up to $3,200. Offer ends July 24, 2023.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How to compare credit cards

When comparing credit cards from different banks, consider the following factors:

• Purchase interest rates. Interest rates vary between credit cards from different banks. Even a small difference in the APR can cost you a lot of money if you’re not careful about paying off your outstanding balance in full each month.
• Promotional interest rates. If a promotional interest rate is being offered, find out how long it lasts, what it applies to (new purchases or balance transfers) and what the rate will be once the promotion ends.
• Balance transfers. If you’re looking to do a balance transfer, you will want to compare balance transfer interest rates, card fees, the term of the low balance transfer offer and if any balance transfer fees apply.
• Cash advance interest rates. Withdrawing money using your credit card will come with a hefty fee known as a cash advance rate. Unlike the purchase rate, this rate is applied from the moment you withdraw funds using your card.
• Annual fees. Card fees can be pricey, but some banks will waive the fee for the first year if you’re a new customer. It’s possible to find no annual fee cards or cards that come with a fee but offer benefits to offset the expense.
• Interest-free days. Expect anywhere between 21 and 55 interest-free days. If you tend to pay off your balance on-time, these interest-free days can help you hold onto your money longer.
• Rewards. Find out how many rewards you’ll earn with each card and pick the card that offers the highest return with the type of rewards that will work best for your lifestyle.
• Complimentary extras. Look at complimentary insurances, airport lounge access, access to early ticket sales and other complimentary extras when comparing cards.

Can I switch credit cards with the same bank?

You can definitely switch credit cards with the same bank. It’s also possible to hold two or more credit cards from the same bank if you don’t want to close out your original account. To switch credit cards with the same bank, you’ll need to fill out an application for a new credit card and close out your old card. That said, you may want to keep both accounts open and simply stop using the original card since closing out credit cards can damage your credit score.

Can I have a credit card without a bank account?

You may be able to have a credit card without a bank account as long as you can show proof of income. Your eligibility for a credit card will depend on the policies of the bank you’re applying with. You should also keep in mind that it may be difficult to make payments on a credit card without a bank account, especially if there are no branch locations near you where you can pay off your card in cash.

Bottom line

It’s easy to get a credit card from a different bank than the one you bank with. You can also hold multiple cards from different banks, switch credit cards with the same bank and even get a credit card without a bank account if you need to. All you have to do is compare credit cards to find the best card to add to your portfolio.

Credit card from another bank FAQs

• Can I get a credit card from another bank?

  You can definitely get a credit card from a different bank than the one you bank with. You just need to apply and show proof that you meet eligibility requirements. Just be prepared to manage your account using the other bank's online portal.

How can I pay a credit card from another bank?

It's fairly easy to pay a credit card bill from another bank. Simply log into your bank account online and follow the prompts in the Bill Payments section of your bank account to add that credit card account as a payee. Once it's set up you can pay yourv credit card bill from a different bank each month.

• Can you have a credit card without a bank account?

  You don't need a bank account for a credit card in some cases. It's up to the discretion of the bank you apply with if it wants to issue you a credit card without a bank account. Many banks will allow this as long as you show proof of income and you live near a physical branch location so that you can pay in cash. You do have to make payments each month however, and this is more difficult to do without a bank account.

• Can you have two credit cards from different banks?

  You can have two credit cards from different banks, or even multiple credit cards from several providers (they don't even have to be banks). Just be aware that the credit card company or bank you apply with may factor the number of credit cards you already have into its decision about issuing you a card. Applying for multiple credit cards can also harm your credit score.

• Can I switch credit cards with the same bank?

  You can switch credit cards with the same bank, but it's not a straight across switch. Instead, you have to apply for the new card and close your account on the old one. That said, many experts recommend that even if you want to switch credit cards with the same bank, you keep the old card open since closing it can damage your credit score.