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Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu, personal finance expert, author, and founder of Savvy New Canadians, has written about money matters for over 10 years. Enoch has an MSc (Econ) degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School and has completed the Canadian Securities Course. His expertise has been highlighted in major publications like Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC News, Toronto Star, Financial Post, CTV News, TD Direct Investing, Canadian Securities Exchange, and many others. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and recently created a practical investing course for beginners. You can read his full author bio.

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Savvy New Canadians is one of Canada's top personal finance platforms. Millions of Canadians use our site each year to learn how to save for retirement, invest smartly, maximize rewards, and earn extra cash. We have been featured in prominent finance media, including Forbes, Globe and Mail, Business Insider, CBC, MSN, Wealthsimple, and TD Direct Investing. Learn more about Savvy New Canadians.

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37 thoughts on “Transferring Your RRSP, TFSA, RESP, and RRIF Between Banks”

  1. Gravatar for Eugene Luchka

    I tried to transfer my RRIF account at Scotia Bank to another provider that has another RRIF in my name. The Scotia account is holding another 17 GIC’s that have varying maturities with the last one maturing in 2021. They refuse to let me transfer this account “in kind”. As a result I need to transfer one at a time and pay a transfer fee each time. Are they in their right to withhold the transfer in kind?

  2. Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

    Hi Eugene.
    Sorry to hear about the difficulties you are facing with moving your RRIF GIC’s to another financial institution. The problem with transferring GIC’s and term deposits between banks is that you may need to wait until the GICs mature and then move them “in cash.” There may be some exceptions, and you should ask Scotia to clarify what other options (if any) are available to you.

  3. Gravatar for Toronto Arcot

    Without knowing what it is and before doing enough research, I opened an RESP A/c with Industrial Alliance FG in 2011. I’m not getting good returns, and on top of that the MER is quite high. I want to transfer my RESP A/c to another financial institution, but Industrial Alliance is telling me that I would have to pay a fee of $1800 to move my investments from them to another institution. Also, the worst part is they are telling me that I can’t stop/reduce my deposits, since it’s a commitment I’ve made. So, now i’m stuck with this useless Institution that doesn’t pay me good returns for my investments and on top of that charges me heavy MER(3.61%). so, I need some valuable advice , how to deal with this situation. Any advice/suggestion on this would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Toronto Arcot: Wow!! 3.64% MER?You are definitely losing money! I am not sure how these non-traditional bank-type RESP’s work. I am assuming it’s a group RESP and the small print ties you in with heavy penalties. You should look at what their terms for getting out are and depending on when you are in the timeline (i.e. how long before your kid needs the money), it may/may not be worth getting out of. Unfortunately, I am unable to give you a straightforward answer because I don’t know what’s in your contract.

      • Gravatar for Sung Lim

        RESP from insurance companies are not a good idea. They put heavy fees as a deter clients from cancelling their policies. It’s really a money grab for insurance agents. They provide guarantees at maturity but you’re better off putting that money in a RESP with the bank. They have funds that are based on clients time horizon. Beware of RESP offered through insurance companies, time horizon is too short to justify purchasing a RESP insurance protected investment.You’re better off purchasing life insurance separately then pay for the fees and protection offered as a feature in an RESP.

  4. Gravatar for Ejemen Akhile

    I have a mutual fund rsp with TD, i want to move it to scotia bank as i am looking to have just one bank. how feasible is that?

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      It is possible. However, depending on what you have right now, you may have to sell your current mutual funds and buy again at Scotia bank. Better to chat with them at Scotia and see what they say. They should be able to facilitate the process.

  5. Gravatar for Barry Fox

    I have an existing RRSP with SunLife through Group plan at work. My Employer matches my contribution up to 3% of my Annual income. I want to keep contributing to this Sun Life RRSP each year to get the 3% match benefit. However, I want to move the existing RRSP balance (from previous years contributions) to another Financial institution RRSP account.

    In the past i have only done transfers of the entire Account to the new Financial institution and closed the old account. In this case, I want to do the transfer of the existing funds to the new Financial Institution, but keep the old Group Account RRSP open so i can keep contributing to it each year.

    Can I transfer a set $amount of Funds from this Sunlife Group RRSP to a new personal RRSP account, but keep the Sunlife RRSP account open for future contributions. In a way I would syphon $ from Sunlife group plan and transfer to my new personal RRSP plan at a different financial institution.

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Barry Fox: Without knowing the specifics of the Sunlife plan, this is potentially possible. One thing though is that if this is a Group pension plan, there may be restrictions on the type of account you can transfer it to. For example, funds from some pension plans can only go into a locked RRSP (LRSP) and cannot be withdrawn until a certain age. Best to ask Sunlife plan administrator about what is possible.

      Cheers.

  6. Gravatar for Jenny

    Great topic! I became an estate trustee for two young children where an RESP was set up for them several years ago. The RESP was set up in the name of the previous estate trustee whom I replaced. I’m working with Sunlife to transfer in kind, however, they indicated that the investment may need to be redeemed and set up a new account. I’m concerned about tax implications. Can I I ensure the funds can be transferred without any tax exposure? Thanks.

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Jenny: Without knowing the full details of their RESP portfolio, it is certainly possible. A potential issue is when you are transferring funds to a different bank. Sometimes, the new financial institution does not carry similar assets and a transfer-in-kind is not possible. Best to discuss your taxation concerns with Sunlife before making any changes. If their account is staying in-house, it should be possible, I think.

  7. Gravatar for Elizabeth

    I am being forced out of my investment institute with my RRIF because it is too low. I had hoped to have run out but the minimum now is $50,000.00 my investment is $5,500.00. I am told that there is no fee to transfer to Investors Edge with CIBC. Can I transfer it to my bank in kind, mutual are 100% low risk as I am old senior. I don’t want to belong to Investors Edge at CIBC

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Elizabeth: Depending on the kinds of assets in your RRIF portfolio, you may be able to transfer them in kind. However, if the assets are proprietary to your current financial institution, it will have to be moved in cash.

  8. Gravatar for Tessa downey

    Question, I have approx $2000 sitting in an RRSP with CIBC and I haven’t been able to bank with CIBC for quite some time as my ex partner processed fraud on my account and long story short, the amount he stole from me later when into an overdraft and because I was unable to pay it back they closed the account and collection agency’s are involved…however I still have $2000 sitting in my RRSP not doing anything. Am I able to transfer the $2000 from my old RRSP account with CIBC over to an RSP account with tangerine..?? Or is an RSP totally different than an RRSP?? I

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Tessa: Yes, you should be able to transfer your RRSP account from CIBC to Tangerine. You can start by chatting with Tangerine on what the steps are from their end. An RSP generally refers to an RRSP.

  9. Gravatar for cr

    Do you know if it is a requirement that financial institutes have the original, pen signed, Direct Transfer form before proceeding with the process?
    I’m trying to move RRSP from one bank to another and completed and signed the Direct Transfer form electronically (i.e., image of my signature pasted over the signature spot) as I don’t have a printer. The receiving bank told me I could not send it to them electronically but that I had to get a paper copy of the blank form, fill it out and sign it, then mail it to them. They specified that I could not just print the form I created electronically and mail it too them.
    Thanks

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @CR: I can see why they would want to receive your originally signed document. Transferring an account from one bank to another is somewhat of a big deal and things can go horribly wrong if it’s not done appropriately. The bank basically wants to be covered just in case, especially if they are an online-only bank.

  10. Gravatar for Mastorich BAKU

    When I transfer out the entire amount of an investment account from one bank to another- TFSA, RRSP or RESP- does it automatically close the old accounts with the former bank?

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Mastorich: Yes. However, it may depend on the bank. Your best bet is to give them a call and let them know you would like to close your account as well. Sometimes, accounts are automatically closed when they have been dormant for 2 years. In some cases, they leave them open even after you have defunded the account. Call to make your wishes known. Some banks will ask you to visit a branch to complete the closure.

  11. Gravatar for Bonnie

    Dear Mr. Omololu,
    Thank you for your column. I was never told by either investors; Manulife and TD Trust what the consequences of transferring my investments to my bank would involve. Due to the uncertainties in today’s market, can I simply transfer my RSSP and mutual funds held at both institutions to my TD saving’s account “in kind” without a sell out loss?
    Thank you. Bonnie

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Boniie: I’m not sure I understand your question. If for example, your investments (RRSP/TFSA) are in mutual funds, you will need to sell them to put the cash in your savings account. Based on current market conditions, you will likely be realizing a loss.

  12. Gravatar for George Millar

    Sign up for weekly newsletter please

  13. Gravatar for Corazon

    Good morning Mr Omulo,
    I have a TFSA locked-in account. The did not tell me the definition of locked-in. I thought I can withdraw my money within five years but not received any money. I bought a house knowing I can sue my money for down payment. Unfortunatly, they told me that I can not withdraw my money. I am facing to loss my $10,000.00 deposit of the house if I can put down my down payment. In addition I owe revenue from my reassessment. I told my bank my reason to withdraw the money but they still no to me. Kindly advise what is the best avenue to withdraw or close my account. Can I transfer my account to another institution and withdraw half? Cora

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Corazon: Is your money held in a non-redeemable GIC? If so, you may be able to withdraw the money before the term ends by paying a penalty fee.

  14. Gravatar for RM

    Hi Enoch.. thanks for the great info. Just wondering if you know what rules Investors Group has on transferring out investments like RRSP, TFSA etc? I read in some forums that some got nailed with Deferred Sales Charge since the investment was purchased less than 7 years..

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @RM: No, I am not very familiar with their offerings. That said, I seem to remember another reader leaving a comment a while back that suggested something similar.

  15. Gravatar for Dale

    I have a problem with my bank after I transferred my LIF from a different bank to this one.
    Concerning maximum withdrawal amount.
    Because it was transferred in, they are saying my maximum withdrawal is calculated from the Dec 31 balance, and not the gains (which is higher) achieved during the year.
    Alberta jurisdiction..
    Please email me for further discussion..

  16. Gravatar for Geula

    Hello, I just recently transferred accounts from RBS. The rate shown in you table is not accurate. It is 25$ for RESP and 50$ for RRSP transfer to another institution. It is posted on their website.

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Geula: Transfer outs at RBC Direct Investing are $135 for all account types, excluding donation of shares.

  17. Gravatar for YJ Lee

    Please sign me up for your news letter mailing list.

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @YJ: You can sign up using the “Sign Up” button in the menu or you can use the opt-in form at the bottom of the article. Cheers.

  18. Gravatar for EE

    Great article! Is the RESP transfer out fee from TD is free, or is this information not available?

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @EE: I checked and registered account transfer-outs on TD Direct Investing cost $150.

  19. Gravatar for ronald ulansky

    Hi, I am trying to move a cash RIF from Tangerine to Simplii.Tangerine has the documents since Nov 15th and still haven’t transferred the funds. I have lost 6 weeks of a lot higher interest rate. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process?
    Thanks
    Ron

    • Gravatar for Enoch Omololu

      @Ronald: Sorry to hear about the delays you are experiencing with your transfer. Other than trying to contact Tangerine’s customer service, I am not sure what else you can do.

  20. Gravatar for Randine Richards

    I am trying to transfer my kids Scotiabank RESP to T D Canada Trust but Scotiabank is not allowing the transfer to be completed…this has been going on for six months and each month they have a different request to be made…
    1. ) antiquated forms being used but the form is being used the same as the government website forms.
    2.) Scotiabank is insisting that the plan be registered with T D Canada Trust but it does not say that on again, the government website.
    3.) Scotiabank is now encouraging me to move this transfer request to another yet another financial institution.

  21. Gravatar for Natasha

    Hi, I’ve requested a transfer from my RSP TD account to my OMERS plan to buy back service. Proper forms were sent, and TD rejected the transfer because there was insufficient amount for transfer fee and taxes. I’ve now added the amount to cover the transfer fee.

    Now OMERS is refusing to make a follow up request to pull the money and my TD branch says they don’t directly handle transfers, it’s a department that clients can’t access. How can I make this transfer happen and why won’t any of these institutions help?

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