Whether you are a kid or a student opening your first bank account or you have been banking for decades, a chequing account is generally a starting point for managing your money.
While online-only banking and the digital banks that enable them have made chequing account transactions a lot cheaper, some of the best chequing accounts in Canada are offered by the big banks.
Chequing accounts come in various ‘shapes and sizes.’
Two characteristics that cut across the board are that they simplify financial transactions and your ability to deposit and withdraw cash wherever you want.
This article covers the best chequing accounts in Canada for 2021, how chequing accounts work, no-fee chequing account options, the pros and cons of chequing accounts, how to save on chequing account fees, and whether they are safe.
Table of Contents
What is a Chequing Account?
A chequing account is a bank account you use to conduct day-to-day transactions that include paying bills, making purchases, transferring funds, depositing cheques, withdrawing cash at an ATM, and receiving your payroll direct deposit.
Chequing accounts are also referred to as transactional or demand accounts. In the U.S., it is spelled as ‘checking’ account.
Chequing accounts are very liquid and because you can just as easily fund or defund the account, banks rarely pay you interest on monies held in the account.
How Do Chequing Accounts Work?
You can open a chequing account at a bank, credit union, and other financial institutions. Most of them come with a monthly account fee, however, the fee may be waived if you keep a minimum balance.
A chequing account provides you with a debit card you can use to withdraw or deposit money at an Automated Banking Machine (ABM) in-branch at a teller and to pay for purchases at a point of sale.
They also offer chequing privileges so you can write cheques as a means of payment.
You can ask your employer to deposit your paycheque in your account as well as set up pre-authorized payments or transfers to other bank accounts.
Some online banks do pay interest on your chequing account balance, however, most traditional banks do not. In Canada, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) protects deposits in chequing accounts up to $100,000.
Best Chequing Accounts in Canada
This list of the best chequing accounts in Canada includes premium accounts with monthly fees as well as no-fee bank accounts that punch above their weight.
1. EQ Bank Savings Plus Account
EQ Bank offers the best hybrid bank account in Canada (combines savings and chequing account features). This online bank was founded in 2016 and is the digital banking arm of Equitable Bank.
EQ Bank’s Savings Plus Account pays a high interest rate on your balance (up to 125x more than other banks – 1.25%) while also offering:
- No monthly bank account fees
- Unlimited free Interac e-Transfers
- Unlimited free bill payments and electronic fund transfers
- Mobile cheque deposits
- CDIC insurance
- Access to international money transfers
There are no minimum balance requirements to enjoy these benefits which is great.
For your other banking needs, EQ Bank has TFSA and RSP savings accounts, GIC investment, U.S. Dollar account, and access to competitive mortgage rates.
Fees: No monthly banking fees ($0).
Promotion: The saving rate is non-promotional.
Cons: Does not offer a debit card, so you may need to have a chequing account elsewhere or get a free KOHO prepaid card for ATM transactions.
2. Simplii Financial No-Fee Chequing Account
Simplii Financial was founded in 2017 and is the digital banking arm of CIBC. It offers the best no-fee chequing account in Canada.
The Simplii No-Fee Chequing Account has no monthly fees or minimum balance and includes:
- Free unlimited debit purchases and bill payments
- Free unlimited Interac e-Transfers
- Access to 3,400+ CIBC ATMs
- 0.05% interest on your account balance.
- Mobile cheque deposits
- Access to global money transfer.
If you are looking to replace your day-to-day banking with an online bank, Simplii works well as it provides an extensive suite of products: investments, credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, and more.
Fees: No monthly account fee. Service fees may apply to stop payments, non-CIBC ATM transactions, inactivity, FX conversions, overdraft, and NSF fees.
Promotion: Get a $200 bonus when you open a new chequing account and set up a direct deposit of at least $100 for 3 consecutive months.
Cons: Simplii Financial does not have a physical bank branch.
3. TD All-Inclusive Banking Plan
TD’s All-Inclusive Banking Plan is a premium chequing account option if you don’t mind paying monthly fees. It includes;
- Unlimited transactions
- Annual fee waivers on eligible TD credit cards
- Personalized cheques, money orders, and certified cheques
- Small safety deposit box
Fee: TD All-Inclusive Banking Plan has a $29.95 monthly fee. This fee is waived if you keep a minimum daily balance of $5,000. Other service fees may apply.
Cons: This premium chequing will set you back $359.40 unless you are willing to keep $5,000 sitting idle in your account.
Here’s a review of TD Chequing accounts.
4. RBC Day to Day Banking Account
RBC is the largest bank in Canada. Its Day to Day Banking Account is one of the best no-fee bank accounts by a big bank if you qualify for a rebate.
This account includes:
- 12 free debits per month (included Interac e-Transfers)
- Free paper statements
- Access to rewards points (3 cents/litre on gas at Petro-Canada)
- Access to thousands of free RBC ATMs
Fee: RBC Day to Day Banking costs $4 per month. This fee is waived if you use multiple RBC products (e.g. credit card and investment). Seniors also get a full rebate.
Other service fees may apply including bank drafts, personalized cheques, non-RBC ATM transactions, etc.
Cons: 12 transactions may not be adequate on a monthly basis, and each debit above this limit costs $1.25.
Learn about RBC savings accounts.
5. BMO Premium Chequing Account
This premium chequing account offers a bunch of VIP perks at a $30 monthly fee.
The BMO Premium Plan includes:
- Unlimited debit transactions and Interac e-Transfers
- Unlimited non-BMO ATM withdrawals worldwide (BMO fees are waived)
- Free overdraft protection (not including interest)
- Up to $150 waived on eligible TD credit cards
- Personalized cheques, money orders, and drafts
- Identity theft protection
- Discount on safety deposit box
- Preferential U.S. exchange rates for transfers between CAD and USD accounts
BMO often has new bank account promotions on its chequing accounts.
Fees: Costs $30 per month. This fee is waived if you maintain a daily minimum balance of $6,000. Other service charges may apply.
Cons: Unless you are willing to keep $6,000 sitting in a non-interest-bearing account, it will cost $360 per year.
Compare BMO chequing account options.
6. PC Money Account
The PC Money Account is offered by PC Financial.
It is a bank account that’s tied to a Mastercard debit/prepaid card and you earn PC Optimum points with every purchase.
This is what you get with a PC Money Accounts:
- 10 PC Optimum points per $1 spent
- Access to your paycheque up to 2 days early
- Free Interac e-Transfers
- Unlimited debits and bill payments
- Extra points when you pay bills of $50+
You can pair this account with several no-fee cash back credit cards including the PC Financial World Elite Mastercard.
Fees: No monthly account fee. Other fees may apply including overdraft protection, ATM, inactivity, NSF, and card replacement fees.
Cons: PC Financial ATMs are mostly located inside Loblaw stores. Depending on where you live, you may not have one close by.
Learn more in this PC Money Account review.
7. Tangerine No-Fee Chequing Account
Tangerine Bank is one of the most popular online banks in Canada. It is a subsidiary of Scotiabank and was formerly known as ING DIRECT Canada.
The Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account offers:
- Unlimited free debit transactions and bill payments
- Unlimited free Interac e-Transfers
- Easy access to 3,500+ Scotiabank ATMs across Canada
- Interest on your account balance (up to 0.10%)
- Mobile cheque deposits
When combined with the no-fee Tangerine Money Back Credit Card, you earn up to 2% cash back on everyday purchases.
In addition to its chequing account and credit cards, Tangerine also provides investments, mortgage loans, and lines of credit.
Fees: No monthly account fee. Service charges apply to non-Scotiabank ATM transactions, non-sufficient funds, drafts, and stop payments.
Cons: This is an online-only account with limited access to in-person assistance.
Related:
8. motusbank Chequing Account
motusbank has a $0 monthly fee chequing account that includes unlimited free Interac e-Transfers.
It also offers:
- Unlimited debits, bill payments, and withdrawals
- Mobile cheque deposits
- Interest on your balance (0.15%)
motusbank is a subsidiary of Meridian Credit Union and members get access to thousands of free ATMs.
Fees: No monthly account fee; other transaction and service charges may apply.
Cons: motusbank has no physical branches. Also, it does not offer credit cards and investment products are limited to GICs.
Learn more about it in this motusbank review.
9. Scotiabank Ultimate Chequing Package
Scotiabank is a top-5 bank in Canada by market capitalization. Its Ultimate Package account is one of the best premium chequing accounts in Canada.
The Ultimate Package comes loaded with perks including:
- Unlimited transactions
- No overdraft protection fee
- Improved rates on Scotiabank’s HISA account and select GICs.
- 10 free equity trades at Scotia iTrade in first year
- Personalized cheques and drafts
- Safety deposits box
- Earn rewards points on everyday spending
- Save the annual fee on eligible Scotia credit cards (up to $139/year)
Scotiabank has all the account types you can think of for everyday financial needs, including mortgages, loans, credit cards, investments, and insurance.
Fees: The Ultimate Package chequing account has a $30.95 monthly fee. This fee is waived if you maintain a minimum daily closing balance of $5,000.
Cons: If you don’t meet the minimum balance requirement, this account will cost you $371.40 per year. Alternatively, you could opt for the Scotiabank Preferred Package that has a $16.95 monthly fee.
Bonus: KOHO
KOHO is a free hybrid account that supports day-to-day debit transactions, high interest savings rates, and cash back.
A regular KOHO account includes a free prepaid Visa card and a budgeting app.
It also offers:
- Unlimited bill payments, POS transactions, and Interac e-Transfers.
- 0.50% cash back on all debit purchases (online and in-store)
- 1.20% interest on your account balance when you set up direct deposit
- Free access to your paycheque 3-days early
- Automated savings using the rounding feature on the app
KOHO users can also access optional paid services including credit building and KOHO Premium.
Fees: A regular KOHO account has no monthly fees.
Promotions: Get a $20 bonus when you sign up here and use your card within 30 days of opening the account.
Cons: It does not support mobile cheque deposits. Learn more in this detailed KOHO prepaid Visa review.
Credit Union Chequing Accounts
Many of the best chequing account options can also be found with your local credit union.
Credit union members may be able to access no-fee chequing accounts or spending accounts with low fees and unlimited transactions.
Also, you get to share in the profits at the end of the year.
That said, read the fine prints carefully as I have also come across credit union chequing accounts with transactional fees that significantly exceed what some big banks charge.
Compare the Best Chequing Accounts in Canada
| Chequing Accounts | EQ Bank Savings Plus Account | Simplii Financial Chequing | TD All-Inclusive Chequing | RBC Day to Day Banking | BMO Premium Chequing |
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 | $29.95 | $4 | $30 |
| Minimum balance to waive fee | N/A | N/A | $5,000 | N/A | $6,000 |
| Free debit transactions | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | 12 | Unlimited |
| Free Interac e-Transfers | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | *Included in 12 debits | Unlimited |
| Cost per debit over limit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $1.25 | N/A |
| Extra features | 1.25% interest on balance | 0.05% interest on balance; free cheques | Credit card fee waived; small deposit box | Save on gas at Petro-Canada | Identity theft protection; credit card fee waived |
| Review | Learn more | Learn more | – | – |
Types of Chequing Accounts in Canada
There are different types of chequing accounts tailored to meet various needs. Here are some of the most common types of chequing accounts you will encounter in Canada.
Youth Chequing Accounts
This account is for children under 18 years of age and has no monthly fee.
It usually offers free transactions, has no minimum balance, and may pay a small interest. A parent or guardian maintains control of the account while the child is under a specified age.
Related: Best Kid’s Bank Accounts in Canada.
Student Chequing Accounts
This account is for students and also offers free or low-fee transactions and Interac e-Transfers, no minimum balance, and no monthly fee.
To open a student account, you must show proof of enrollment in post-secondary or tertiary education.
Seniors Chequing Accounts
A seniors chequing account offers a discount to customers who are 60 years and older.
This discount may be available on existing accounts at the bank, or in some cases, are specifically customized for only seniors.
Newcomer Chequing Accounts
The big 5 banks offer chequing accounts for newcomers that waive the monthly fees for up to 1 year.
These accounts may come with additional perks including a free safety deposit box, access to a premium savings account, and free international money transfers.
After the promotional one-year period expires, a monthly fee applies to the account.
No Fee Chequing Accounts
No-fee chequing accounts with unlimited free transactions are offered by online banks including Tangerine, Simplii Financial, and motusbank.
These accounts come with unlimited debits, bill payments, and Interac e-Transfers.
Their main downside is that you do not have access to in-person support at a physical branch.
Hybrid Chequing Accounts
The newest introduction to chequing accounts in Canada is the hybrid account that combines savings and chequing account capabilities.
While these accounts do not offer all the features of a traditional chequing account, they do go a long way to make savings accounts more flexible.
For example, EQ Bank Saving Plus Account comes with unlimited free transactions, no monthly fees, free unlimited Interac e-Transfers, and mobile cheques. You do not get a debit card.
Business Chequing Accounts
This account is designed for businesses – corporations, sole proprietorships, partnerships, non-profit organizations, and more.
A business chequing account is used to manage the day-to-day transactions and cash flow needs of a business enterprise.
These accounts come with varying monthly fees depending on the number and types of transactions allowed.
Basic Chequing Accounts
A basic chequing account refers to the entry-level chequing account offered by a bank. This is the bank account with its lowest monthly fee.
The number of transactions offered by this plan is limited and fees apply when you exceed the limit.
Premium Chequing Accounts
A premium chequing account refers to the most expensive chequing accounts offered by a traditional bank or credit union.
It offers an unlimited number of debits, ATM transactions, free access to premium credit cards, free cheques, drafts, safety deposit boxes, and other VIP perks.
Chequing Account vs. Savings Account?
A chequing account is used to conduct daily transactions, pay bills, transfer funds, make withdrawals, write cheques, receive deposits, and more.
It is basically a place to manage your cash flows without worrying about the restrictions imposed by a savings account. This flexibility attracts a monthly fee.
Chequing accounts also offer overdraft protection which means you can spend more money than you have in your account and avoid the dreaded Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) fee. The overdraft fee is charged monthly. Overdraft protection is optional.
A savings account is where you can safely keep money and earn interest over time.
Savings accounts are generally free, however, you get dinged on transaction fees if you start using your savings account to conduct everyday transactions. In some cases, your bank limits how many transactions you can conduct using your savings account.
There are different types of savings accounts. A high-interest savings account offers a higher interest rate than a regular savings account. If you are eligible for a tax-free savings account, you can save and earn interest income tax-free.
Savings and chequing accounts can work together to help you reach your financial goals. For example, you can set up automatic transfers from your chequing account to your savings account after your paycheque is deposited.
Pros and Cons of Chequing Accounts
The benefits of a chequing account include:
- Easy access to your money when you need it using your debit card, ATM, and cheque
- Access to online banking and easy cheque deposits, fund transfers, and bill payments
- Safety through deposit insurance by the CDIC up to a limit
- Some chequing accounts offer budgeting tools and free credit scores
The downsides of a chequing account are:
- Monthly account fees
- No interest is paid on your balance
- Minimum account balances to waive the monthly account fee can be high
How To Save on Chequing Account Fees in Canada
Canadians spend more than $200 on average annually on chequing account fees. You can avoid or minimize your bank fees using these strategies:
1. Choose the right chequing account: If you only need to conduct a few transactions every month and have basic banking needs, there’s no need to pay $30 or more for an unlimited premium chequing account.
2. Maintain a minimum balance: Monthly chequing account fees may be waived when you keep a minimum daily closing balance in your account e.g. at least $3,000. Be mindful that if your balance drops below the minimum threshold for just one day, you will need to pay the monthly fee.
3. Bundle services: Banks waive a portion of the monthly fee when you have several services with them, such as a combination of chequing, credit cards, mortgages, and investment accounts.
4. Choose an online bank: Virtual banks offer no-fee banking accounts since they can save on overhead costs by not needing to maintain physical branches. With unlimited free transactions, you can save a fortune over time. You can also check out the credit unions in your area.
5. Avoid overdraft and other convenience fees: Ensure you have enough money in your account before writing a cheque or setting up pre-authorized debits; use free ATMs owned by your bank, and sign up for electronic statements. Use overdraft protection if necessary, and by all means, avoid the $40 to $45 per count NSF fee.
6. Negotiate a fee break from your bank: Perhaps they could make an exception and not charge you a monthly fee, or there may be another account that best suits your needs. Find out how far your bank will go to keep your business.
Are Chequing Accounts Safe?
Most chequing accounts in Canada are offered by CDIC-member institutions and they are considered to be safe. CDIC protects your deposits in chequing accounts up to $100,000 per member institution.
The organization also guarantees your savings accounts and Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) with a term of 5 years or less.
Credit union chequing accounts are guaranteed by the relevant provincial deposit guarantee corporation and funds may be protected up to 100% i.e. without limit and including interest earned.
Chequing Account Fees in Canada
Depending on the account package you sign up for, the following transactions may incur additional fees in addition to the monthly chequing account fee.
- ATM withdrawals
- Debit card purchases
- Interac e-Transfers
- Cheques and pre-authorized debits
- Money transfers (email and wire)
- Overdraft protection
- NSF fees
- Bank drafts
- Assisted transactions
- Cross-border debits
- Paper statements
- Replacement bank cards
- Stop payments
- Safety deposit boxes
- Account closing and transfer fees
How To Choose a Chequing Account
Before applying to open a chequing account, carefully examine the features you need.
Do you need a no-fee chequing basic account with limited transactions? Are you a newcomer looking for a fee break while you settle down in Canada?
How often will you need to conduct a transaction in-branch or in-person? What’s their customer service like? 24/7?
Does the bank offer access to free ATMs in your area? Are they offering a new bank account promotion that’s worth checking out? What are the fees?
Shop around and compare accounts to find the best value for your money. You can open a bank account online or in-branch by appointment.
Typically, you will need to provide a government-issued ID, contact details, and your social insurance number in order to open your new chequing account.
