EQ Bank: Get Your Free Bank Account (Now Available In Quebec)!

Updated Nov 5, 2024
Fact checked by
Alexandrine Bertrand
Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand

Alexandrine Bertrand
An avid solo traveller, Alexandrine is an expert on loyalty programmes such as Aeroplan, Avios, AIR MILES, Flying Blue and Marriott Bonvoy. With a budget-conscious approach, she helps travellers make the most of their points and miles to experience affordable, off-the-beaten-path getaways. She also shares a love of gastronomy and enjoys exploring local flavours and culinary traditions.
All posts by Alexandrine Bertrand
banque eq featured
To the point EQ Bank is finally coming to Quebec: get banking products today with no monthly fees and earn more interest!

EQ Bank - History

EQ Bank is an entity of Equitable Bank, a financial institution with over 50 years of experience.

EQ Bank has no physical headquarters, and its financial activities are conducted online. This saving on rental fees allows EQ Bank to offer different financial products with excellent interest rates to all Canadians, including Quebec!

EQ Bank offers top-notch collateral, and all deposit products are eligible for CDIC deposit insurance.

The EQ Bank mobile application is available on the App Store and Google Play.

banque eq forbes

EQ Bank - Products

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 4.00%* interest rate to all customers on everyday banking services:

  • 2.50% interest on everyday banking services
  • Plus 1.50% bonus interest* when you direct deposit your pay

This account also offers several free features, such as:

  • Interac e-Transfers®
  • Everyday banking operations
  • Bill payments
  • Deposits and withdrawals

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

EQ bank personal account

EQ Bank - Joint account

The EQ Bank Joint Account offers an interest rate of up to 3.75%* to its customers. To receive the bonus interest rate, you must use this account to receive direct deposit of your pay.

The advantages of this financial product are the same as those of the savings account, while many free financial services are offered to customers:

  • Interac e-Transfers®
  • Everyday banking operations
  • Bill payments
  • Deposits and withdrawals

It’s also important to specify that you need to meet a few criteria to benefit from the advantages of this account for your daily transactions. These are the criteria:

  • Canadian Resident
  • Age of majority in the province
  • Have a social insurance number

You can add up to 3 people to your EQ Bank Joint Account.

compte epargne plus banque eq

EQ Bank - TFSA Savings Account

The EQ Bank TFSA Savings Account offers an interest rate of 2.50%*. There are no management fees.

The free features are the same as the two previous accounts.

Don’t forget that there are annual contribution limits for the TFSA ($6,500 in 2023, $7,000 in 2024).

It is also possible to purchase GICs (Guaranteed Investment Certificates) for your TFSA.

Guaranteed investment certificates are safe, low-risk investments with stable returns. It should be noted, however, that once the money is deposited in this account, it is advisable to keep it there until the end of the GIC, otherwise you will be subject to penalties.

EQ Bank - GICs / Guaranteed Investment Certificates

EQ Bank offers a wide range of Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs).

Investing cash in registered (TFSA in Quebec and TFSA/RRSP elsewhere in Canada) and non-registered accounts is possible.

The terms of this financial vehicle are highly flexible, since Banque EQ offers no fewer than 13 different options. The interest rates offered are also attractive. As GIC rates and terms vary, consult the EQ Bank website for the most recent data.

Note that a minimum deposit of $100 is required to purchase GICs. Finally, it is important to note that users will benefit from Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation protection when purchasing guaranteed investment certificates with EQ.

acheter CPG Banque EQ

EQ Bank - Notice savings account

EQ Bank offers a Notice Savings Account.

This savings account offers you one of the best rates in Canada. You can take advantage of a rate of 3.50% with 10 days’ notice or 3.65% with 30 days’ notice, with no monthly fee and no minimum balance required.

You can earn interest daily and plan your withdrawals to maximize your savings while having the flexibility to access your money at any time.

You benefit from a return up to three times higher than that of other banks, with no pitfalls and no special conditions.

EQ Bank - Mastercard

Banque EQ also offers a prepaid card: the EQ Bank Card. EQ Bank Card.

With the EQ Bank Card you get :

  • A prepaid Mastercard (usable at Costco)
  • Free ATM withdrawals in Canada
  • 0.5% cash back on all expenses
  • No Foreign Transaction Fee

Where it stands out is with its attractive interest rate of 3.75%, the same as for the Current Account, which is applied to the card balance until it is spent.

EQ Bank - Products not available in Quebec

It should be noted that EQ Bank does not currently offer the following products in Quebec:

  • US Dollar Account
  • International money transfer
  • RRSP Savings Account
  • RRSP GIC
  • The transfer function between EQ accounts
  • The notice savings account

Bottom Line - Review

banque eq featured

Legal notice:

*Interest is calculated daily on the total closing balance and paid monthly. Rates are per annum and subject to change without notice.

◊ Based on research conducted by Equitable Bank comparing interest rates of base savings accounts offered by Canada’s ‘Big 5’ banks. Rates were compared using a ratio analysis. Research is based on savings account interest rates taken from public websites as at October 3, 2022. Promotions and Rate Premiums are excluded.

®Registered trademark of Interac Corp, used under license.

How can I get an EQ Bank card?

The EQ Bank credit card is the EQ Bank Card.

You can see all its features and how its cashback works on this page.

What is the EQ Bank?

The EQ Bank credit card is the EQ Bank Card.

You can see all its features and how its cashback works on this page.

How can I reach EQ Bank Customer Service?

By phone, toll-free in North America: 1-844-437-2265

Or if you’re outside North America: 1-416-551-3449

The address of the EQ Bank is :

EQ Bank – Digital Banking
30 St. Clair Ave.
Suite 700,
Toronto, ON M4V 3A1

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

Equitable Bank, with its lending services and investment solutions, owns EQ Bank, a digital bank in Canada.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien, President and Founder of Milesopedia, is a recognized expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel in Canada and France. Approaching forty and a father of two, he has travelled to over 100 countries, half of them with his children and his wife, Audrey. Specializing in top loyalty programs like Aeroplan, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, he guides travellers to maximize their benefits across North America and Europe.
All posts by Jean-Maximilien Voisine

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