This review covers Scotia iTRADE, Scotiabank’s self-directed brokerage: its commissions and active-trader pricing, commission-free ETFs, accounts and who it suits. For the rest of the market, see the online broker comparison.
Scotia iTRADE charges $9.99 per online stock or ETF trade for clients who make fewer than 150 trades a quarter, and $4.99 for those who make more, with a list of commission-free ETFs. Its appeal is integration with Scotiabank banking; several independent brokers and BMO InvestorLine now charge $0 per trade.
Scotia iTRADE fees
From Scotia iTRADE’s pricing page as of September 2026:
| Transaction | Under 150 trades a quarter | 150+ trades a quarter |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks and ETFs (online) | $9.99 | $4.99 |
| Options | $9.99 + $1.25/contract | $4.99 + $1.25/contract |
| Eligible commission-free ETFs | $0 | $0 |
| Mutual funds (online) | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| High-interest savings and money market funds | $0 | $0 |
| Bonds and other fixed income | $1 per $1,000 of face value ($24.99 minimum, $250 maximum) | Same |
| Trade placed with a representative | Add $65 | Add $65 |
Registered-plan fees are on a separate tab of the pricing page. RRSPs, RRIFs, LIRAs and LIFs cost $100 a year when your combined accounts hold less than $25,000 and you make fewer than 12 commissionable trades a year; TFSAs and FHSAs have no annual fee, and transferring a registered account out costs $150. Check the account and administration tabs for the account types and balances you hold.
What commissions cost over a year
Buying two ETFs a month that are not on the commission-free list is 24 trades, or $239.76 a year at the standard rate. Choosing ETFs from the eligible list brings that to $0, which is why it is worth checking the list before choosing funds.
Margin rates
Scotia iTRADE sets margin rates as a spread over its prime rate, with lower spreads for larger balances and for iClub members. The standard rate is prime + 1.65% (under $25,000), falling to prime + 1.55% from $100,000. The margin account guide explains how margin works.
Accounts and Scotiabank integration
Scotia iTRADE offers registered and non-registered accounts, including TFSAs, RRSPs, FHSAs, RESPs, RRIFs, locked-in accounts and margin accounts; confirm the specific one you need. For Scotiabank clients, the main advantage is moving money between banking and investing accounts at the same bank and seeing everything in one place.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Commission-free list of eligible ETFs | $9.99 standard commission on other trades |
| Lower $4.99 rate for active traders | Mutual funds cost $9.99 per online trade |
| Integration with Scotiabank accounts | $100 annual fee on smaller RRSPs and RRIFs that meet no waiver |
| Wide range of account types and fixed income | Phone trades cost $65 extra |
Who Scotia iTRADE suits
Scotia iTRADE suits Scotiabank clients who want investing next to their banking, and ETF investors whose chosen funds are on its commission-free list. Investors who trade other securities regularly pay less at $0-commission brokers; Wealthsimple vs the Big 5 banks compares the bank brokerages with Wealthsimple, and the other bank reviews cover RBC Direct Investing, CIBC Investor’s Edge and BMO InvestorLine. Among independent brokers, Qtrade and Questrade charge $0 on stock and ETF trades.
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources. How we check facts.