Banking in Canada
#1
Banking in Canada
Hi
We're looking at opening an initial bank account for when we move out there next month and was wondering if anyone could help or suggest good packages/options?
A lot of banks are showing monthly fees for just having a standard current account. Is this typical in Canada?
Also a lot are showing transaction fees for using other banks' ATM's. Again is this typical?
It would be great if anyone could offer advice or share any tips on this?
Many thanks
We're looking at opening an initial bank account for when we move out there next month and was wondering if anyone could help or suggest good packages/options?
A lot of banks are showing monthly fees for just having a standard current account. Is this typical in Canada?
Also a lot are showing transaction fees for using other banks' ATM's. Again is this typical?
It would be great if anyone could offer advice or share any tips on this?
Many thanks
#2
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Banking in Canada
Hi
We're looking at opening an initial bank account for when we move out there next month and was wondering if anyone could help or suggest good packages/options?
A lot of banks are showing monthly fees for just having a standard current account. Is this typical in Canada?
Also a lot are showing transaction fees for using other banks' ATM's. Again is this typical?
It would be great if anyone could offer advice or share any tips on this?
Many thanks
We're looking at opening an initial bank account for when we move out there next month and was wondering if anyone could help or suggest good packages/options?
A lot of banks are showing monthly fees for just having a standard current account. Is this typical in Canada?
Also a lot are showing transaction fees for using other banks' ATM's. Again is this typical?
It would be great if anyone could offer advice or share any tips on this?
Many thanks
I would suggest looking at one of the 'newcomer' accounts as most of them give 6-12 months of fee-free banking and some offer a credit card and car financing etc.
http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,4285,00.html
http://www.rbc.com/canada/banking-packages/
http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/newtocanada/
http://www.bmo.com/home/personal/ban...mers-to-canada
https://www.cibc.com/ca/chequing-savings/newcomers.html
http://www.hsbc.ca/1/2/personal/new-to-canada
#3
Re: Banking in Canada
Yes, both of those are standard in Canada.
I would suggest looking at one of the 'newcomer' accounts as most of them give 6-12 months of fee-free banking and some offer a credit card and car financing etc.
http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,4285,00.html
http://www.rbc.com/canada/banking-packages/
http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/newtocanada/
http://www.bmo.com/home/personal/ban...mers-to-canada
https://www.cibc.com/ca/chequing-savings/newcomers.html
http://www.hsbc.ca/1/2/personal/new-to-canada
I would suggest looking at one of the 'newcomer' accounts as most of them give 6-12 months of fee-free banking and some offer a credit card and car financing etc.
http://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/0,,4285,00.html
http://www.rbc.com/canada/banking-packages/
http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/newtocanada/
http://www.bmo.com/home/personal/ban...mers-to-canada
https://www.cibc.com/ca/chequing-savings/newcomers.html
http://www.hsbc.ca/1/2/personal/new-to-canada
Many thanks for all this useful information. We'll take a look at each of these.
I take it it's a good idea to set up an account before we land (if we can)?
Thanks
#4
Re: Banking in Canada
Scotiabank are easy to get basic accounts and a low-limit, no downpayment credit-card...but don't expect much else from them when you've gotten yourself established after a few months and are looking for credit limit increases or further services!
#5
Re: Banking in Canada
ING Direct has a free chequing account with an automatic over draft of $250 but no credit card and they're online only so no physical bank.
#6
Re: Banking in Canada
That's actually unfair. We have had great service from them throughout the 2 years we have been here!
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 256
Re: Banking in Canada
Been here 9 months and TD have been great to us. Credit Card with fair limit (no hostage money neded!!) They are open good hours and even have that neat log in thing that ties in with immigration!!
#8
Re: Banking in Canada
Pretty sure with a minimum balance you can get fees waived. Think CIBC was $1000 when my parents opened an account a few years back.
Meridian CU (Ontario) is $1000 too I believe.
Meridian CU (Ontario) is $1000 too I believe.
#11
Re: Banking in Canada
Thanks guys - some good suggestions, will have a look at a few before we get out there.
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: Whitby, ON
Posts: 225
Re: Banking in Canada
I went with the RBC Welcome to Canada.
Got a credit card initially for $1000 without a security deposit against it. After 6 months limit increased second card issued and overdraft offered. So manage your finance and they will soon increase your limits.
All in all I've been pleased with the service but not the fees.
I'm likely to move to one of the free options soon
They don't offer specific newcomer packs but
http://www.bmoclubsobeys.com/en/home.aspx
http://www.pcfinancial.ca/
or ING direct as has already been mentioned.
I'm swaying for sobeys as you can use the physical BMO Branch if required for a small fee.
Got a credit card initially for $1000 without a security deposit against it. After 6 months limit increased second card issued and overdraft offered. So manage your finance and they will soon increase your limits.
All in all I've been pleased with the service but not the fees.
I'm likely to move to one of the free options soon
They don't offer specific newcomer packs but
http://www.bmoclubsobeys.com/en/home.aspx
http://www.pcfinancial.ca/
or ING direct as has already been mentioned.
I'm swaying for sobeys as you can use the physical BMO Branch if required for a small fee.
#13
Re: Banking in Canada
I went with the RBC Welcome to Canada.
Got a credit card initially for $1000 without a security deposit against it. After 6 months limit increased second card issued and overdraft offered. So manage your finance and they will soon increase your limits.
All in all I've been pleased with the service but not the fees.
I'm likely to move to one of the free options soon
They don't offer specific newcomer packs but
http://www.bmoclubsobeys.com/en/home.aspx
http://www.pcfinancial.ca/
or ING direct as has already been mentioned.
I'm swaying for sobeys as you can use the physical BMO Branch if required for a small fee.
Got a credit card initially for $1000 without a security deposit against it. After 6 months limit increased second card issued and overdraft offered. So manage your finance and they will soon increase your limits.
All in all I've been pleased with the service but not the fees.
I'm likely to move to one of the free options soon
They don't offer specific newcomer packs but
http://www.bmoclubsobeys.com/en/home.aspx
http://www.pcfinancial.ca/
or ING direct as has already been mentioned.
I'm swaying for sobeys as you can use the physical BMO Branch if required for a small fee.
#14
Re: Banking in Canada
We have an unsecured credit card through Scotia... only $1k limit but it's a start. We hammer it sometimes when we are out then when back home transfer cash into it online through web banking and hey presto... instantly back up to full available limit again. I also like the 'bank the rest' feature
Last edited by james.mc; Jun 4th 2013 at 5:34 pm.
#15
Re: Banking in Canada
It does depend on some extent to where you are moving to, if you're moving to Alberta, the Alberta Treasury Board (ATB) banks make the most sense imo.
Because there are different security regulators in each province you can end up in weird situations where one product is offered in x province but not another or the interest rates are different or whatever.
And you have the inevitable problem of getting the hang of InterAC which always non-plusses newcomers to Canada. To cut a long story short it's so crap you really do need a credit card.
Do a search on here, it's a subject that comes up quite frequently. But yes, all banks have bank fees.
Also be aware of the taxes - if you give them a foreign address they put you down as non-resident but when you give them a Canadian address that doesn't necessarily mean they've put you down as resident, make sure they do.
Because there are different security regulators in each province you can end up in weird situations where one product is offered in x province but not another or the interest rates are different or whatever.
And you have the inevitable problem of getting the hang of InterAC which always non-plusses newcomers to Canada. To cut a long story short it's so crap you really do need a credit card.
Do a search on here, it's a subject that comes up quite frequently. But yes, all banks have bank fees.
Also be aware of the taxes - if you give them a foreign address they put you down as non-resident but when you give them a Canadian address that doesn't necessarily mean they've put you down as resident, make sure they do.