These guides cover the everyday bank account in Canada: what each kind of account does, how to open, switch or close one, what to do when a card or transaction misbehaves, and which accounts suit a particular type of customer or stage of life.
Account basics
- What a chequing account is and how it works
- Chequing vs savings account: what each is for and how to split money between them
- How a Canadian debit card works
- Why a debit card gets declined and how to fix it
- Overdraft protection: how it works and what it costs
- Holding multiple bank accounts
Card and account activity
- Pending transactions: what they are and how long they last
- How long a refund takes to reach your card or account
Opening, switching and closing
- How to open a bank account, and the ID banks accept
- Switching banks: the full checklist
- How to close a bank account
- Unclaimed bank balances and how to claim them
- What happens to a joint account when one holder dies
Best accounts by type
- No-fee chequing accounts
- Chequing account sign-up bonuses and how to qualify
- Joint bank accounts for couples
- Business bank accounts and how to open one
Best accounts by life stage
- Bank accounts and programs for newcomers to Canada
- Student bank accounts for college and university
- Banking for international students
- A teen’s first bank account
- Children’s bank accounts and money apps
- Senior banking discounts and accounts for people 60 and over
The banking system
- How Canada’s banking system is organised: the big banks, online banks, credit unions and who regulates them
Choosing between a big bank, an online bank and a credit union is covered in the best banks in Canada comparison. Savings accounts and their rates have their own savings account guides, and prepaid cards for people without a bank account are reviewed in prepaid cards.