Bank account minimum balance and deposit requirements
Dipping below the minimum can mean high fees or a lower APY.
Minimum deposit or balance requirements can apply to savings accounts, chequing accounts and GICs and affects everything from the interest rate on your account to whether you have to pay a monthly fee. Choose the right account for your budget to keep your savings on track.
What are account minimum requirements?
An account minimum is the amount of money you need to open or maintain an account. The requirements can apply to savings accounts, chequing accounts and GICs. How they affect fees, APRs and the status of your account depends on the type of account and bank.
Minimum requirements for savings accounts
Savings accounts often either require a minimum deposit to open an account or an ongoing minimum balance to earn maximum interest or avoid fees.
Minimum opening deposit
For savings accounts that require a minimum opening deposit, you’re required to open the account with a certain amount of money. Some banks give you a grace period to meet that minimum, and will close your account if you come up short.
Minimum monthly deposit
Some savings accounts require regular ongoing deposits, monthly or quarterly, to earn a higher interest rate or avoid a fee. You can often meet this requirement by depositing once or twice a month.
Minimum balance requirements
Some savings accounts require that your accounts always stay above a minimum balance. Falling below that balance can cost you in fees or interest rates.
Compare the minimum balance across these savings accounts
Minimum requirements for chequing accounts
Chequing accounts can also come with minimum requirements, both when you open an account and throughout the life of the account.
Minimum opening deposit
The minimum opening deposit is the amount you need to open an account. If you can’t meet this requirement, your application will be denied or the bank can recommend a different account that better fits your finances.
Minimum balance requirements
If your account dips below the minimum balance requirement, you’ll typically incur a fee. Some banks waive this fee if you have a certain number of transactions monthly. For example, a bank might charge $29 monthly for you to hold an account. However, with a minimum daily balance of $5,000 or at least minimum balance of $5,000 at the end of each month, you’re off the hook.
Balance requirements, monthly deposit requirements and fees vary wildly depending on your accounts, so read the fine print before signing on with a new bank.
Minimum deposit requirements for GICs
If you want the security of guaranteed returns that only a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) can provide, you’ll need to meet the minimum deposit amount. The minimum deposit amount is the initial investment amount that grows over time.
How much you’ll earn in interest depend on how long you invest. Deposits held for longer periods of time lead to earning larger amounts interest income.Back to top
Bottom line
Deposit requirements can determine the interest-earning power of your savings account or GIC and the ongoing cost of your chequing account. Consider these restrictions along with the other features and fees of different bank accounts before making the final decision about the right product for you.
