EQ Bank: Our Review of Their Financial Products + Special Offer

Updated Dec 17, 2024
Fact checked by
Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
All posts by Marie-Ève Leclerc
Note
9/10
EQ Bank
To the point EQ Bank is an Equitable Banking entity. In this article, we explore the financial products it offers, including its savings accounts and its Mastercard.

Until February 28, 2025, take advantage of a special offer from EQ Bank. For every deposit into a TFSA, RRSP or FHSA, receive an additional contribution of 2%, on top of the usual interest! Read more in the article.

EQ Bank is part of Equitable Bank, an independent financial institution with over 50 years’ experience. It has no physical headquarters, and all its financial activities are carried out online. As a result, this saving on rental costs enables EQ Bank to offer its customers a range of financial products with excellent interest rates. In this article, we explore the main financial products offered by EQ Bank, such as its Current Account, savings accounts(TFSA, RRSP, GIC) and Mastercard.

EQ Bank - Limited-Time Offer: 2% Matching Contribution

For a limited time, EQ Bank is offering existing and new customers a bonus for FHSA, TFSA and RRSP accounts. From November 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025, customers who make new deposits to their registered accounts, and who hold these new deposits in their accounts for one year, will receive a 2% matching contribution. There is no minimum transfer or deposit amount to qualify for this offer.

Deposits eligible for this offer are new deposits or transfers made to FHSA, TFSA and RRSP accounts between November 1, 2024 and February 28, 2025. However, new deposits held in GICs are not eligible.

The 2% matching contribution will be paid quarterly at a rate of 0.5% per quarter.

To qualify for the four quarterly payments, new deposits must be held for one year after the offer end date. The 2% matching contribution will be calculated based on your registered account balance (FHSA, TFSA and RRSP) as of May 31, 2025, August 31, 2025, November 30, 2025 and February 28, 2026 and will be paid directly into the registered account.

If new deposits are partially or fully withdrawn during the 12-month payment period, the matching contribution will be calculated and paid on the remaining amount only.

10-BanqueEQ

EQ Bank Financial Products

EQ Bank offers a wide range of financial products: chequing accounts (personal account), joint accounts, savings accounts, Mastercard, etc. In addition, all its deposit products are eligible for CDIC deposit insurance.

EQ Bank - Personal Account

The EQ Bank Personal Account (formerly known as the Savings Plus Account) is a no-fee account that offers a generous interest rate of up to 3.50%* to all customers on everyday banking services:

  • 1.75% interest on current banking services ;
  • Plus 1.75% bonus interest when you set up direct deposit from your paycheck.

This account also offers several free features, such as:

  • Interac transfers;
  • Daily operations;
  • Bill payments;
  • Deposits and withdrawals.

Finally, there is no minimum balance required for this type of account.

EQ Bank - Joint Account

Discover the EQ Bank Joint Account and benefit from an interest rate of up to 3.50% with no monthly fees.

Enjoy free transactions, including bill payments and Interac transfers, with no minimum balance required. Your deposits are protected by CDIC deposit insurance up to $100,000.

Register online in just a few minutes and start saving together.

EQ Bank - TFSA Savings Account

Maximize your savings with the EQ Bank TFSA Savings Account. Take advantage of a tax-free interest rate of 2.00%, with no monthly fees.

Benefit from free, flexible withdrawals and easy recurring contributions from your current account.

All deposits are protected by SADC up to $100,000.

EQ Bank - RRSP Savings Account

Unfortunately, RRSP Savings Accounts and RRSP GICs are not currently available at Quebec.

Maximize your retirement savings with the EQ Bank RSP Savings Account.

Enjoy a high interest rate with no monthly fees and no minimum balance required.

Manage your account easily online and benefit from SADC deposit insurance.

EQ Bank - GIC Savings Account

Unfortunately, RRSP GICs are not currently available at Quebec. However, other GICs are available at Quebec.

EQ Bank offers a wide variety of short- and long-term GICs (Guaranteed Investment Certificates) for both non-registered and registered accounts (TFSAs, RRSPs, etc.). Of course, deposits are eligible for Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) protection.

EQ Bank - Notice Savings Account

Unfortunately, the Notice Savings Account is not currently available in Quebec.

Maximize your savings with the EQ Bank Notice Savings Account.

Enjoy an interest rate of up to 3.05% with no monthly fees and no minimum balance required.

Plan your withdrawals with 10 or 30 days’ notice and benefit from interest calculated daily.

Transfers are free and unlimited.

EQ Bank - Mastercard

With EQ Bank Card, you pay no foreign exchange fees for purchases made abroad or in foreign currencies. This Mastercard is a reloadable prepaid card with which you can make free withdrawals at any ATM in Canada.

Plus, you get the same great rate as your Personal Account, plus 0.5% cash back on every purchase you make with EQ Bank Card.

Since it’s a Mastercard, you can use it anywhere in the world, as well as at Costco warehouses in Canada.

Banque EQ - Products Not Available In Quebec

Banque EQ does not currently offer the following products in Quebec:

  • US Dollar Account
  • RRSP Savings Accounts and RRSP GICs
  • Savings account FHSA and GICs FHSA
  • Business Accounts and Business GICs
  • Notice Savings Account
  • International funds transfer
  • Transfer between EQ accounts

Comparison With Other Banks

Chequing Accounts

In our opinion, the EQ Bank chequing account, called Personal Account, is one of the best choices available on the Canadian market. First of all, it stands out from other Canadian banks for its high interest rate, no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirement. But also, by the many free features such as Interac transfers, day-to-day transactions and bill payments. However, other online banks also offer attractive chequing accounts. For example:

To compare other chequing accounts, use our bank account comparator.

Savings Accounts

In our opinion, the EQ Bank savings account, called the Notice Savings Account, is a good choice. However, it is not available to Quebec customers. What’s more, other financial institutions have tempting offers, mainly from online banks. For example:

To compare other savings accounts, use our bank account comparator.

Prepaid Card

In our opinion, the EQ Bank Card is one of the best no-conversion-fee cards on the Canadian market. It stands out in several respects, such as its attractive interest rate of up to 3.50%, which is applied to the card balance (until it is spent). It also offers 0.5% cash back on all your spending and purchases, with no foreign conversion fees.

Finally, since it’s a Mastercard, you can use it at Costco. However, other excellent prepaid or credit cards with no conversion fees are available in Canada. For example:

To compare other credit cards according to your needs, use our credit card comparator.

Our Review Of EQ Bank's Financial Products

In our opinion, the financial products offered by EQ Bank are very interesting. Bank accounts such as the Personal Account and Joint Account have no monthly fees and include many free features: Interac transfers, banking operations and bill payments.

What’s more, the EQ Bank Card is one of the best cards with no conversion fees. It also stands out for its attractive interest rate on the card balance and its cashback on your spending.

Savings accounts are interesting, but many of them are not available in Quebec, such as the Notice Savings Account and the RRSP Savings Account.

In short, competition among Canadian financial institutions is fierce, but EQ Bank is doing well with its range of products and services. However, it must continue to innovate and extend its products to all Canadians.

What's the difference between EQ Bank and Equitable Bank?

EQ Bank is part of Equitable Bank, an independent financial institution with over 50 years’ experience. It offers several financial products, including a Personal Account, savings accounts(TFSAs, RRSPs, GICs) and a Mastercard.

What's the difference between the Personal Account and the EQ Bank Notice Savings Account?

The Personal Account and the Notice Savings Account are two accounts offered by EQ Bank that pay interest on your account balance. The main difference is that you must give notice before making a withdrawal with the Notice Savings Account, which allows you to earn a higher interest rate.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Vincent Morin

Vincent Morin

Vincent Morin
Vincent achieved financial independence and retired early (FIRE) at the age of 35. After a career in financial technologies for a large American investment bank, he founded Retraite101, a personal finance site that reaches more than 350,000 unique visitors per year and has more than 30,000 subscribers on social media. Passionate about personal finance, cycling, reading and gardening, he continues to write to inspire and motivate Quebecers to take charge of their finances.
All posts by Vincent Morin
Products
4.3 Milesopedia Rating

Suggested Reading

Receive our newsletter every week!

Savings are here:

Milesopedia