Banking: Everything you need to know about the best chequing accounts in Canada

Designed to handle day-to-day transactions, Canadian chequing accounts all have their advantages. Those from Scotiabank, HSBC, BMO and National Bank caught our attention. In our opinion, they are the best chequing accounts in Canada. In the following lines, discover each package, from its main features to its target customers.

To help you make the right choice for your needs, here are a few criteria to consider:

Monthly fees

First of all, are you willing to pay more for greater freedom? Because the higher the monthly fee, the more services are included in the account. Be aware that they may vary depending on your age.

Transaction limit

Indeed, a maximum transaction limit is assigned by the bank. For this reason, you may be charged for each additional transaction over the limit.

Interac Transfers

Interac e-Transfer is a fast and efficient way to transfer funds to a colleague, friend or family member. Nevertheless, learning about the terms and conditions surrounding this type of transaction is a good idea. Generally, there is no charge for receiving funds by email for chequing accounts in Canada. However, other types of operation can also pay off.

Overdraft protection

Has your transaction been rejected for lack of funds? Overdraft protection is there to protect you by providing a short-term loan. Of course, this should never be an option! We recommend that you avoid overdrawing your account. Be warned!

With its 4,000 branches, Scotiabank offers five banking packages. In Canada, it is known for having the most advantageous chequing accounts. In addition to receiving personalized financial advice, you will be rewarded on all your purchases.

• Scotiabank Basic Bank Account
• Scotiabank Base Bank Plus Bank Account
• Scotiabank Student Banking Advantage Plan
• Scotiabank Preferred Package
• Scotiabank Ultimate Package

Scotiabank Basic Bank Account

Would you like a basic account for all your financial needs? The Scotiabank Basic Bank Account will cost you only $3.95 per month.

Eligible for overdraft protection, it offers 12 free transactions per month plus Scene+ rewards on your debit transactions.

Scotiabank Base Bank Plus Bank Account

Is a maximum of 25 free debit transactions per month enough for you? Would you like to make transactions at an ATM? Costing just $11.95 a month, the Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account could be free if you maintain a balance of $3,000 in the account.

To learn more about the features of the package, this article includes the essential information.

Scotiabank Student Banking Advantage Plan

In addition to a $75 bonus when you open a Scotiabank Student Banking Advantage Plan, you’ll receive 7,500 Scene+ points.

Students are the target clientele for this package; they will benefit from free printed or paperless statements and unlimited debit and Interac e-Transfer transactions.

Scotiabank Preferred Package

Scotiabank Preferred Package costs just $16.95 and could be free if you maintain a balance of $4,000. When you open a new account, you’ll receive a $350 bonus!

You can also send money anywhere in the world for $1.99 with Scotiabank’s International Funds Service. If you are 60 or older, save up to $4.00 on the monthly account fee.

Scotiabank Ultimate Package

Recommended by several Facebook group members, the Scotiabank Ultimate Package is the most competitive of all. For us, it represents the best option offered by the banner.

When you sign up for a new package, you’ll receive a welcome bonus of $350 for a limited time only! Note that Scotiabank is one of the only institutions that rewards customers on debit card activity linked to the Ultimate Plan chequing account. 1 Scene+ point is awarded for every $5 spent on Scotia Debit card purchases.

HSBC offers five banking packages to its customers, all of them equally advantageous. It is among the banks with the best chequing accounts in Canada.

In addition to providing world-class banking services, HSBC offers packages for youth, seniors, foreign workers and even newcomers to Canada.

• HSBC Premier
• HSBC Advance
• Performance chequing account with unlimited transactions
• Performance chequing account with limited transactions
• Student Chequing Account

HSBC Premier

With the HSBC Premier Chequing Account, you can easily manage your finances online. A Relationship Manager will be happy to become your contact person in assisting you with all your needs.

You can get up to $500 when you open your HSBC Premier chequing account. In fact, if you are a new customer, you have six months to qualify without paying the monthly fee.

HSBC Advance

With HSBC Advance, you can get up to $400 when you open an account online. The $25 monthly fee is waived if you qualify.

Travellers can rest assured that the package offers access to funds in the event of an emergency abroad. A complete chequing account that lets you do your banking your way!

Performance chequing account with unlimited transactions

The Performance Chequing Account with unlimited transactions is available in both Canadian and U.S. dollars. In addition to international access, Interac e-Transfer transactions are free for everyone. With a monthly fee of $14.95, this package covers all your day-to-day banking needs.

Performance chequing account with limited transactions

The Performance Chequing Account with limited transactions comes with a low monthly fee of only $4. Young people, seniors aged 60 and over and beneficiaries of a registered disability savings plan pay no monthly fee.

Student Chequing Account

By opening an HSBC Student Chequing Account, you can earn up to $150. Before you arrive in Canada, you can receive a $100 bonus by opening an online account.

Today’s students can take advantage of this package with all the unlimited operations available to them!

Would you like to realize your most significant projects? National Bank is here for you. With its 4 main chequing accounts, it offers you a wide range of advantages. That’s why it’s one of Canada’s favorites.

• The Minimalist
• The Modest
• The Connected
• The Total

The Minimalist

With 12 transactions per month, Le Minimaliste costs $3.95 per month for people aged 25 to 59. For all other age groups, it’s free!

In addition to having access to check images, online and mail statements are free to all.

The Modest

With a balance of $3,000 or more, Le Modeste costs you absolutely nothing. Otherwise, it’s just $10.95 a month. It includes access to cheque images, free online statements and low online brokerage rates.

The Connected

In addition to a discount of up to $30 on a Mastercard credit card, Le Connecté offers unlimited digital transactions. It is also possible to deposit checks online.

The Total

Overdraft protection, foreign currency drafts and 100 personalized cheques per year; are all features of National Bank’s Total.

Priced at $28.95 per month, the package is free if you have a balance of $6,000 in your account.

Are you looking for first-rate banking experience? Just want a basic account? Chequing accounts with BMO offer unlimited Interac transfers and the possibility of checking your credit rating at any time. Here are the different packages:

• Performance
• Premium
• Plus
• Practical
• Air Miles

Performance

With an account opening fee of $400, the Performance package offers unlimited day-to-day banking. Plus, get up to $40 off the annual fee on eligible BMO credit cards.

Premium

With BMO’s most advantageous package, get a preferred exchange rate for U.S. dollars when you transfer funds between your Canadian and U.S. dollar accounts. Plus, a $400 account opening bonus and up to $150 off the annual fee for an eligible BMO credit card.

Plus

With 25 transactions per month and free Interac transfers, Plus is BMO’s most flexible and cost-effective package. A $100 account opening bonus and a U.S. dollar savings account are included.

Practical

A package with low monthly fees and low-rate savings account with no fees – that’s a yes! With 12 transactions per month, Pratique will cost you only $4 per month. For more information, read this article.

Air Miles

Unlimited transactions and Interac transfers are free; all you need is the Air Miles Reward Accumulator.

Earn one mile for every $30 spent on your BMO debit card, and 25 bonus miles every month if you’re also a BMO^® AIR MILES^® World Elite^®* Mastercard cardholder. All this for $15.95 a month.

It is important to shop around before making your final choice. Take the time to look at all packages thoroughly, from features to target audience. That way, you’ll find what suits you best, depending on your age and needs.

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