Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account review

Our verdict

Our verdict

As the name suggests, the Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account is a no-frills account that comes with 25/month transactions and $0 e-Transfers. While it has a monthly account fee of $11.95, you can have the monthly account fee will be waived if you have at least $3,000 in your account at all times.

Best for: Those looking for a no-frills account where you only pay for basic features.

Pros

• $0 e-Transfers
• Access to Scotiabank's basic account features including free credit score reports

Cons

• You'll only get 25/month free transactions
• This account has a monthly fee of $11.95, but it can be waived if you meet the requirements
• No welcome offer

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Free Transactions

25/month

Interac e-Transfer Fee

$0

Monthly Account Fee

$11.95

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Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account

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The basics

If you want a no-frills account that doesn’t require you to pay for features you won’t use, the Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account could be a good fit for you.

• Low monthly fee. Pay a $11.95 fee per month to maintain your account unless you meet the minimum balance requirement.
• Exclusive rewards. Choose between the SCENE and Scotia Rewards reward programs whenever you spend money on your card.
• Free transactions. Get 25/month free debit transactions and $0 Interac transfers per month.
• Fee waiver on account. Pay no monthly account fee by maintaining a minimum daily closing balance of $3,000 for the entire month.
• Free credit check. Get a free credit check sponsored by Scotiabank using TransUnion’s special CreditView service.

The perks

On top of the basic benefits you’ll receive with the Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account, you’ll also get a number of additional perks:

• Online and mobile banking. You can manage your account online or over your mobile phone quickly and easily.
• Mobile cheque deposit. It’s easy to deposit your cheques through Scotiabank‘s mobile app without having to visit a branch.
• Contactless payment. You can pay by swiping your phone at the till if you link your Basic Plus account to Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
• Senior discounts. You’ll be able to save money on your monthly account fees if you’re over the age of 60.

What to watch out for

While this account offers a number of benefits, there are also a couple of drawbacks to watch out for:

• No exclusive rates. This account doesn’t offer preferential rates for your savings accounts or GICs.
• No bonus offer. You won’t earn bonus Scene+ points when you sign up like you will with more premium accounts.
• Few benefits. You’ll get far fewer benefits with this account than you will with Scotiabank‘s Preferred or Ultimate accounts.
• Charges for non-Scotiabank ABMs. You’ll have to pay a fee to withdraw money from non-Scotiabank ABMs.

What should I know before I apply?

To open a Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

• Be a resident of Canada with a valid social insurance number
• Be 16 years of age or older
• Have an email account

How do I open a Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account?

To open a Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account, you’ll need to fill out a quick and easy online application. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Click on this secure Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account link or the “Go to Site”button on this page to get started with your application.
2. Complete the application, which includes providing your name, email address, social insurance number (SIN) and birth date.
3. Review the details of your account and apply quickly and easily with the click of a mouse.

Bottom line

Scotiabank is one of the top banks in Canada and offers a full suite of financial products to millions of clients each year. The Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account offers a number of value-added features for a low monthly fee. Find out what you need to qualify for this type of account and learn how you can apply online today.

Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account FAQs

• Do I have to pay a monthly fee with the Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account?

  Yes. You'll pay $11.95 per month to maintain this account. To get the annual fee waived, you'll need to keep a minimum balance of $3,000 in your account at all times.

• Can I manage my Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account through mobile banking?

  Of course. You can manage your bank account online as well as through mobile banking. You just need to download the mobile app which allows you to carry out banking activities like depositing cheques, paying bills, transferring between your accounts and sending e-Transfers.

• Will my money be protected?

  Yes. Your deposits are protected by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) so you can rest assured that any money you deposit will be protected.

• Who can I contact if I have questions about my Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account?

  You can easily get in touch with Scotiabank's customer support team at 1-800-472-6842. You can also visit a branch during business hours or send a tweet to @ScotiabankHelps for more information.

• Can I apply for a Scotiabank Basic Plus account online?

  Yes, you can apply online. Just go to this secure Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account link or click "Go to Site" in the table above to be redirected to an application.

• What other Scotiabank chequing accounts exist?

  Scotiabank has a range of both chequing accounts and savings accounts for a variety of budgets and banking needs.

  Finder's guide to Scotiabank's chequing accounts