Desjardins Online Brokerage (also known as Disnat) is a platform self-directed investors can use to trade stocks, ETFs, options, structured notes, and more in Canada.
DIY investing can help you save on investment fees and improve your returns if you know what you are doing.
Disnat recently dropped the commissions it charges on stock and ETF trades (CAD and USD), making it the second bank/credit union-owned discount brokerage to cut fees last year.
Two other no-commission brokers in Canada that waive commissions on ETF and/or stock purchases are Wealthsimple Trade and Questrade.
On these two platforms, you are also spared the annoying ‘inactivity’ fees when you don’t trade a minimum number of times during a specific timeframe.
Desjardins Online Brokerage Overview
Desjardins Online Brokerage
Overall
Summary
Disnat, or the Desjardins Online Brokerage, is the online investing service managed by Desjardins Securities, the brokerage arm of Desjardins Group. It was founded in 1982 and was the first company to offer discount brokerage services in Canada in 1983.
Desjardins Online Brokerage offers two main platforms: Disnat Classic: a trading platform for beginners and everyday investors, and Disnat Direct: a trading platform for active traders. The Disnat trading app is available on the App Store and Google Play.
This Desjardins Online Brokerage review covers its fees, account types, pros and cons, and alternatives.
Pros
- Multiple account types and investment securities
- Admin fee waived for 18-30 year-olds
- Free training events
- Active trader discount
- Commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs
Cons
- $1,000 minimum balance to trade
- $30 quarterly inactivity fee
Desjardins Online Brokerage Accounts
Disnat accommodates a variety of accounts depending on your needs, including registered accounts such as:
- Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
- Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)
- Locked-In Retirement Account (LIRA)
- Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)
- Life Income Fund (LIF)
- Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
You can also open a non-registered account, as well as cash and margin accounts.
Non-registered accounts can be set up to be owned by an individual, cooperative, corporation, trust, private foundation, non-profit organization, partnership, estate, guardian, or to have a proxy mandate.
Desjardins Online Brokerage Investment Types
This platform offers a good selection of investments you can trade, including a few that are not commonplace:
- Canadian and U.S. Equities (including stocks, preferred shares, ETFs, trust units, warrants, ADRs, and rights)
- Options
- Mutual Funds
- Structured Notes
- New Issues
- Bonds
- Treasury Bills, Bankers’ Acceptances, Commercial Paper, and Bearer Deposit Notes
Desjardins Online Brokerage Trading Fees
The trading and account fees on Disnat are very competitive compared to the big bank-owned brokerages like TD Direct Investing and RBC Direct Investing.
| Stocks | ETFs | Options | Fixed Income | |
| Standard trading fees | $0 per trade | $0 per trade | $1.25 per contract (min. $8.75) | $50 min. per trade |
| Active trader pricing | $0 | $0 | $1.25 per contract (min. ($8.75) | $50 min. per trade |
| Telephone trades | Minimum $45 fee | Minimum $45 fee | Minimum $35 fee | $50 min. per trade |
Mutual fund purchases are free, subject to some conditions. A $32-$45 fee may apply if you hold the fund for less than 90 calendar days, etc. Some mutual funds also carry a deferred sales charge (DSC).
A minimum purchase (face value) of $5,000 is required for bonds, and for Treasury Bills, the minimum purchase is $10,000.
If you want access to streaming level 1 and/or 2 data, an additional fee applies. Streaming data fees are waived when you exceed a minimum number of monthly trades.
Desjardins Online Brokerage Account Fees
A $30 quarterly inactivity fee applies if you do not meet one of the following criteria:
- Place six or more trades that have been executed in the preceding 12 months
- The value of your portfolio is $15,000 or more
- You have a registered account with Disnat (e.g. RRSP, RESP, TFSA, or RRIF)
The annual administration fee for RRSP and LIRA accounts is $100. It is waived if the market value of your account is $15,000 or more, or you place 125 trades per year.
The annual administration fee for an RRIF or LIF is $100. It is waived if your account value is $25,000 or more, or you place 125 trades per year.
RESPs have a $50 annual fee unless the combined market value is $15,000 or more.
Some other fees to note are:
- Account transfer out: $150
- LIRA and LIF unlocking: $150
- Request for research and copy of statement of account: $50 fixed rate + $5 per item
Disnat Broker@ge 18-30
Disnat offers new clients who are 18-30 year old access to five free transactions. Inactivity administration fees are also waived.
To take advantage of this offer, you must deposit at least $1,000 in your account (no minimum is required for registered accounts).
Desjardins Online Brokerage Trading Platforms
The two main platforms are Disnat Classic and Disnat Direct.
Disnat Classic is aimed at everyday investors who want an easy-to-understand platform they can use to place trades and do research.
It is available on all types of devices.
Disnat Direct is an advanced platform for seasoned investors who want access to streaming quotes, an unlimited number of charts, watchlists, and more.
For additional stock market analysis, clients can use Trading Central, Desjardins Securities Research Services, and Morningstar.
Related: National Bank Direct Brokerage.
Is Desjardins Online Brokerage Safe?
The Desjardin Group was founded in 1900 and is one of the world’s largest groups of credit unions.
Desjardins Securities is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC).
CIPF membership means your investments are protected against broker insolvency up to $1 million.
Pros and Cons of Disnat
Some pros and cons of using the Desjardins Online Brokerage are:
Pros:
- $0 trading commissions for stocks and ETFs
- Variety of account types and investment products
- 18-30-year-olds get a break on inactivity and some admin fees
- Free training events year-round
- Competitive pricing for active traders
Cons:
- The minimum deposit to start trading is $1,000
- A $30 quarterly inactivity fee can add up if you don’t place trades and have a small account (<$15,000)
Desjardins Online Brokerage vs. Alternatives
The table below shows how Desjardins Online Brokerage compares to TD Direct Investing, Questrade, and Wealthsimple Trade.
| Desjardins Online Brokerage | Wealthsimple Trade | Questrade | TD Direct Investing | |
| Stock and ETF trading fees | $0/trade | $0 | $4.95-$9.95/trade | $9.99/trade |
| Options/contract | $1.25/contract (min. $8.75/trade) | N/A | $9.95 + $1 | $9.99 + $1.25 |
| Commission-free ETFs | Yes | Yes | ETF purchases are free; fee applies to ETFs sales | No |
| Types of Accounts | RRSP, TFSA, RRIF, LIF, RESP, LIRA, Margin | RRSP, TFSA, personal non-registered | TFSA, RRSP, RESP, LIF, LIRA, RRIF, Margin | TFSA, RRSP, RESP, DPSP, LIRA, RRIF, Margin |
| Minimum investment | $1,000 | None | $1,000 | None |
| Maintenance fee | $30/quarter if balance <$15,000 | None | None | $25/quarter if balance ≤ $15,000 |
| Platform | Web and mobile app | Web and mobile app | Web, mobile, and desktop app | Web and mobile app |
| Transfer-in fees waived | N/A | Up to $150 on transfers of $5,000+ | Up to $150 per account | Up to $150 with transfers of $25,000+ |
| Promotions | N/A | Get a $25 cash bonus when you open an account and fund with $150 or more | Get $50 in free trades when you deposit at least $1,000 | N/A |
| Learn more | – | Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Related: How To Save for Retirement in Canada
