I still use cheques for my rent ($1500).

My bank money transfer for what ever reason is capped at $1000 so I just hand the landlord post dated cheques every year.

It is the most sensible and cost effective option. The bank wanted cash each month for bigger transfers.

Other than that then they are close to being eradicated.

I don't doubt it. I paid a cheque into my account just last week.
It came from the same place that makes payments direct to the bank. There was no good reason for them to pay by cheque.

Both my tenants pay their rent this way. It works really well, much better than post dated cheques.

Yep, I remember doing that when the kids were in school. It had to be one for each too. I couldn't pay whatever it was on one cheque.

But I remember people on this forum asking why people still used them.

See?

Foreign girl

Not much experience but went into TD today and they are offering a free six month account with checks etc included.

Sorry not a longer term option but thought I could mention that for the benefit of anyone else! Scotiabank...the service and integrity of the branch I dealt with first...questionable IMO

Most of the banks offer a deal for new PR's pr TWP holders.

RBC and Scotiabank offer newcomers 12 months free banking.

Scotiabank dropped the Startright free banking at the beginning of March and replaced it with $100 new account bonus.

http://www.scotiabank.com/startright...et-02-2014.pdf

Our 'adviser' only offered us the 100$.

He said we could get the credit card (secured) only after we started depositing our salary there.

Also no mention of the deposit box.

The tellers there were slow and seemed odd. One asked the other if he would help with one of our applications. The answer was obviously 'no, do it yourself.'

Very unprofessional?

Not really having much confidence in Scotia...

It must depend on the Scotiabank branch.

In any of the Kelowna branches (where I opened my account) and either of the Langley branches I generally use now, the staff are excellent and in one of the branches, they even recognise me when I go in.

Nothing is too much trouble. In Kelowna, they even sent paperwork to the branch near my office the same day for me to sign, so that I didn't have to waste my lunchtime going to the main branch in town.

Not the biggest fan of Scotia, inquired about getting a credit card there after about a year in Canada they asked for proof of salary and to move my accounts to them and it shouldn't be a problem. Moved my accounts and they said my credit score was too low and all they could offer me was a secured card, closed my account the same day and never been back.

I use a compnay called Halo Financial to transfer UK funds to here - I get better rates and it's easy.

Roj

Hi Roj

What do you mean by it's easy?..

Did you set it up from Canada?

Sounds good, yes.

And yes, I believe that it may depend on locality, definitely. However, one of the arguments for the question mark generally is that the branch I went to is one of the nigh downtown ones in a supposedly affluent area. If that is the level of service they offer within a professional environment, it doesn't speak well to the bank's governance imo. Consistency is important, imo. Worse, I detest dangling or underhanded tactics (aka: "if you put your salary in I can definitely help you get a secured visa next time") when I am entitled to that immediately. TD offered that the minute I walked in. Scotia made me feel like it was a huge favour IOW, Scotia, in my minute locale experience, don't leave a good taste in the mouth.

-- That said, it does sound like the Scotia guys are great in Kelowna. Good for you! I'm sure that there are good areas too

"Hi Roj

What do you mean by it's easy?..

Did you set it up from Canada?"


I set up with Halo Financial UK - I use to periodically transfer UK funds from our house rental there to here. Once you are set up you arrange the transfer via a 5 min phone call and then I do an online account transfer from my UK account to them (within 3 days) and they transfer the money to my Canadian account that or the next day.

They seem to be an international company and have offices in Toronto

http://www.halofinancial.com/

Roj

As stated I don't bank with TD but had heard their free credit cards were possibly easier to get with no credit record here.

They initially said no. I wrote asking for a rethink, pointing out I owned two properties here with no mortgage (so low housing costs) and they still said no.

I sent them print-outs of my credit limits and activity on the UK credit cards and they issued a card. Just a low limit to begin with but it soon increased to more realistic levels.

Thanks for the elaboration, Roj