17 best new bank account offers for May 2026

Get extra cash and higher interest rates when you open an account—these are the best new bank account offers and promotions in Canada right now.

Looking for the best bank promotions in Canada? We’ve analyzed 45+ accounts from more than 20 Canadian financial institutions to curate this definitive list of the best new bank account offers for May 2026.

We’ve been tracking every major update in the banking promo space for years to help maximize your earning potential when opening a new account—from combined cash bonuses of $975 and free Apple products to high-interest savings rate bonuses of 4.5% or more.

We update this guide monthly (or as new offers launch) to ensure you never miss out on the latest sign-up bonuses, cash back offers, gift cards, or referral perks.

Quick summary: Best new bank account offers for May 2026

  • Best offer for highest cash bonus: BMO—Up to $800 + get a $175 digital Visa gift card from Finder
  • Best free gift: RBC—Get an Apple Watch Series 11 GPS + get a $150 digital Visa card from Finder
  • Highest promotional interest rate: Scotiabank—5% for 3 months + get an $80 digital Visa gift card from Finder
  • Best ongoing savings rate & bonus: KOHO Everything Plan—Up to 3.50% + get a $75 digital Visa gift card from Finder
  • Highest credit union bonus: Coast Capital—Up to $450
  • Best offer for no-fee chequing accounts: Simplii—Up to $300 and a $50 Skip gift card
  • Best offer for students: Simplii—Up to $300

Offers were last updated in May 2026.

Best chequing account offers for May 2026 in Canada

BankAccountBonus offer
BMO
BMO Performance Chequing Account

Earn up to $800

Exclusive
+ Get a $175 digital Visa Card when you open a BMO Performance Chequing Account through Finder—stack with BMO's offer for a total $975 bonus. Become a Finder Member in seconds for free to claim your reward. Offer ends June 30, 2026. T&Cs apply.

Get offer
RBC
RBC Signature No Limit Banking Account

Apple Watch Series 11 GPS

Exclusive
+ Get a $150 digital Visa Card when you open an RBC Signature No Limit Banking Account online through Finder. Become a Finder Member in seconds for free to claim your reward. Offer ends May 31, 2026. T&Cs apply.

Get offer
ScotiabankScotiabank Preferred Package

Earn up to $700

EQ BankEQ Bank Personal Account

Earn 2.75% interest

Coast Capital LogoCoast Capital Unlimited Chequing Account

Earn $450

TangerineTangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account

Earn $250

Coast Capital LogoCoast Capital Free Chequing, Free Debit, and More Account

Earn $150

Simplii FinancialSimplii No Fee Chequing Account

Earn $300 and a $50 Skip gift card

TD Canada TrustTD Unlimited Chequing Account

Earn $750

CIBCCIBC Smart Account

Earn $850

PC FinancialPC Money Account

Earn 150,000 PC Optimum points

Best savings account promotions for May 2026 in Canada

BankAccountBonus offer
EQ BankEQ Notice Savings Account

2.35% - 2.75%

Scotiabank
Scotia High Interest Savings Account

Up to 5% for 3 months

Exclusive

+ Get an $80 digital Visa Card when you open a Scotia High Interest Savings Account online through Finder. Become a Finder Member in seconds for free to claim your reward. Offer ends June 30, 2026. T&Cs apply.

Get offer
TangerineTangerine Savings Account

Up to 4.5% for 5 months

KOHO
KOHO Everything Plan

Up to 3.50%

Exclusive

+ Get a $75 digital Visa Card when you open and fund the KOHO Everything Plan online through Finder. Become a Finder Member in seconds for free to claim your reward. Offer ends June 30, 2026. T&Cs apply.

Get offer
SimpliiSimplii High Interest Savings Account

4.60% for 5 months

Neo Financial
Neo Savings Account

Earn up to 3.00% + enter to win up to $10,000

Exclusive

+ Get an $80 digital Visa Card when you open a Neo Savings Account online through Finder. Become a Finder Member in seconds for free to claim your reward. Offer ends June 15, 2026. T&Cs apply.

Get offer

Methodology: How we chose the best new bank account offers in Canada

To determine this best list, Finder Canada analyzed 60+ chequing accounts and 40+ savings accounts across 22 Canadian financial institutions. We compared accounts from traditional banks, digital banks, fintechs and credit unions. We review this list on a monthly basis to stay on top of changing welcome offers in the market.

We ranked accounts based on 15 data points within five major categories. Each account is assigned a weighted score out of 100% based on the categories below:

Perks (40%):
Welcome offer, including cash value or ongoing and promotional interest rates, plus other tailored rewards.
Fees (20%):
Monthly fee, ability to waive the monthly fee, transaction fees, e-Transfer fees, NSF fees and overdraft fees.
Banking Access (15%):
In-branch banking, online banking access and national availability.
Customer Experience (15%):
Live chat availability and mobile app ratings.
Minimum Requirements (10%):
Minimum deposit and balance requirements.

No single bank account will be the best choice for everyone, so compare your options carefully before choosing your new account. Learn more about how we evaluate financial products in our our evaluation methodology guidelines.



Chelsey Hurst's headshot
Our expert says

"As the publisher for banking and investments at Finder, I’ve been analyzing banking offer trends for years. Recently, banks have been offering historically high new account offers, with some in the latest promo cycles well exceeding the $800 mark.

That trend is linked to the rise of fee-free digital banks in Canada, which have pushed bigger banks to offer more competitive deals. That said, these higher offers have come with increasingly complex qualification processes—a strategy banks use to not only get your business but also keep it for the long term.

So instead of simply opening an account and making a deposit, many banks now also require you to open multiple accounts (chequing + savings + a credit card) to qualify for the full bonus.

So my advice for potential bank customers in 2026 is to look past the high advertised offer. Look at an offer’s effective value— the value that you can reasonably get from a promotion given your financial setup and banking habits. A lower offer on a no-fee account might beat a high bonus on multiple fee-based accounts you won’t use."

Chelsey Hurst's headshot
Publisher

Key takeaways

  • Switching banks to take advantage of a new account offer can earn you cash, gifts or interest rate bonuses.
  • The requirements to receive a bank sign-up bonus can sometimes be complicated.
  • It’s important to read the offer details to make sure you meet all the requirements before starting the process.

Which banks have the best new account offers?

  • BMO: Earn up to an $800 cash bonus. Plus, get a Walmart Delivery Pass subscription for up to 12 months. Plus, get a Finder exclusive offer of a $175 digital Visa card.
  • RBC: Get the new Apple Watch when you open your first RBC Signature No Limit Banking Account, plus get Apple Music and Apple Fitness+ at no cost for 3 months with your new Apple Watch. Apply by June 1, 2026. Plus, get a Finder exclusive offer of a $150 digital Visa card.
  • TD: Open the Unlimited Chequing Account. Get up to $750 when you open a TD Unlimited Chequing Account. Terms and conditions apply. Offer ends June 3, 2026.
  • Scotiabank: Earn up to $700 when you bundle a Preferred Package, savings account, and registered account. Valid until July 2, 2026.
  • Coast Capital: New members can get $450 when they open and use a Coast Capital Unlimited Chequing Account. Offer ends July 6, 2026.
  • Tangerine: Earn up to $250 when you open a No-Fee Daily Chequing Account and move your pay. Valid until October 31, 2026. Open a Tangerine Savings Account to earn 4.50% for the first 5 months (on up to $1,000,000 in deposits) when you sign up by July 31, 2026. Thereafter, you'll earn 0.30%.

What’s the easiest Canadian bank to get a sign-up bonus from?

The easiest banks to get a sign-up bonus from are digital banks like EQ Bank and Tangerine. Digital banks offer promotions with a simple qualification process, where you typically just need to 1) sign up for a new account and 2) set up direct deposit for your paycheque. The whole process can be set up online in minutes, and you can often get the bonus payout within two to three months.

What new account promos do Canadian banks typically offer?

Banks in Canada typically offer three types of new account offers:

  • Cash bonuses: Banks often offer cash bonuses from as low as $150 from digital banks and up to around $800 from traditional banks for opening a standard chequing account (and completing qualifying actions). Cash bonus offers for student chequing accounts from both types of banks typically land at around $150.
  • Bonus interest rates: For savings accounts, banks will typically offer bonus interest rates as low as 2.5% up to 4.5% or more for around 3 to 5 months.
  • Free items: This type of new account offer is much rarer in Canada, but banks will sometimes offer free gifts for opening an account. One notable example of this is RBC’s free iPad or free Apple Watch promos, which it has offered several times throughout the past few years.

How to qualify for a new bank account offer

To qualify for any bank promotion, be prepared to show a valid, government-issued photo ID and proof that you live in Canada. You’ll also be asked to submit your name and contact information. Be aware that bank promos aren’t available for accounts you already have.

Some specialized offers will also sometimes require you to complete specific actions, like the following:

  • Bundle your account with other products & services (i.e. a savings account or credit card)
  • Get friends or family to sign up using your referral code
  • Show proof of academic enrollment (for student bank account offers)

Requirements for the best new chequing account offers in Canada

Some bank promotions in Canada offer a bonus just for opening an account and making a deposit. Other new bank offers require you to perform several actions to land a special deal—actions like setting up direct deposit or holding funds in the account for a certain amount of time.

So, in order to actually receive the bank bonus, you need to ensure you complete all of the requirements in the right order of steps. Below, we’ve outlined the specific requirements for each of the best new chequing account offers featured in the comparison table above, starting with BMO and RBC:

Finder Score Monthly Account Fee Free Transactions e-Transfer Fee

BMO Performance Chequing Account

BMO logo
Finder score
Finder score
$17.95
(can be waived)
Unlimited
$0
Earn up to an $800 cash bonus. Plus, get a Walmart Delivery Pass subscription for up to 12 months. T&Cs apply.
$175$175 REWARD
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

BMO consistently offers some of the highest new account promotions of any bank in Canada. Beyond the offer, signing for this account will give you access to unlimited transactions and e-transfers plus annual fee rebates on select BMO credit cards.


Offer requirements:

Earn up to $800.

Earn $500 when you open and fund a new BMO Performance Chequing Account by June 1, 2026 and complete two qualifying tasks by July 31, 2026.

Earn $100 when you set up a recurring direct deposit of $500 or more by July 31, 2026 and maintain if for one year.

Plus, get a Walmart Delivery Pass subscription for up to 12 months* when you open a new Savings Amplifier Account by June 1, 2026, and sign up for or update your existing Walmart Delivery Pass by July 31, 2026 by selecting Debit Mastercard as the payment option for the monthly transaction fee.

Earn $150* when you deposit a total of $10,000 or more in to your Savings Amplifier Account and maintain a daily closing balance of $10,000 or more within 30 days of opening and maintain that balance for 3 months.

Earn $50* when you create one goal and apply one strategy in My Financial Progress Plan by July 31, 2026.

*Terms apply.

Pros

  • Unlimited monthly transactions
  • Interac e-Transfers
  • $40 fee rebate on the BMO Mastercard annual fee
  • BMO will reverse the first accidental fee charged to this account
  • Up to 20 accounts can be included in the BMO Family Bundle

Cons

  • Monthly fee of $17.95
  • Fee for overdraft protection

RBC Signature No Limit Banking Account

RBC logo
Finder score
Finder score
$16.95
Unlimited
$0
Get the new Apple Watch Series 11 GPS when you open your first RBC Signature No Limit Banking Account, plus get Apple Music and Apple Fitness+ at no cost for 3 months with your new Apple Watch. Apply by June 1, 2026.. T&Cs apply.
$150$150 REWARD
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

This RBC new account promo can be a great way to make signing up for one of RBC's most popular accounts even more rewarding. Beyond the bonus offer, the Signature No Limit Banking Account comes with unlimited transactions, 6 free bank drafts, 1 free book of personalized cheques and rebates on basic RBC credit card fees (up to $48).


Offer requirements:

Get the new Apple Watch Series 11 GPS (42 mm or 46 mm case with your choice from select bands) when you open your first RBC Signature No Limit Banking Account, plus get Apple Music and Apple Fitness+ at no cost for 3 months with your new Apple Watch. Apply by June 1, 2026.

New subscribers only. After 3 months, the subscription automatically renews until cancelled. How to get your new Apple Watch: 1. Open an eligible RBC bank account by June 1, 2026. 2. Set up and complete two of the following by August 10, 2026: Your payroll or pension as a direct deposit, two pre-authorized monthly payments and/or two eligible bill payments to a service provider. You must then keep your account open and the qualifying criteria active until June 1, 2027. Terms and conditions apply.

Pros

  • Unlimited debit transactions
  • Non-RBC ATM rebates
  • Free Interac e-Transfers
  • Credit card fee waivers
  • Earn RBC Avion points
  • Overdraft protection

Cons

  • Standard $16.95 account fee applies
  • Not possible to waive the monthly fee completely

EQ Bank Personal Account

EQ Bank logo
Finder score
Finder score
$0
Unlimited
$0
Earn 2.75% interest on your money with qualifying direct deposits of $2,000/month, and 1.00% otherwise. T&Cs apply.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

As a hybrid savings and chequing account, the EQ Bank Personal Account has a lot to offer beyond its promo offer. This interest-earning chequing account pays up to 2.75% interest and comes with unlimited free transactions and e-transfers. It also lets you earn cashback on your purchases.


Offer requirements:

Earn 2.75% interest. To receive 2.75% interest, you'll need to have at least $2,000/month of your pay directly deposited into a Personal Account or Joint Account. Conditions apply. Otherwise, you'll earn 1.00% on your balance.

Pros

  • $0 account fee
  • Earn up to 2.75% interest on your balance
  • Get unlimited transactions
  • Get $0 Interac eTransfers
  • EQ Bank will refund withdrawal fees for using any ATM across Canada
  • No minimum balance requirement

Cons

  • No physical branches for in-person service
  • Some standard banking features not available such as overdraft protection and the option to have paper statements

Coast Capital Free Chequing, Free Debit, and More Account

Coast Capital logo
Finder score
Finder score
$0
Unlimited
$1.50
New members can get $150 when they open and use a Coast Capital Free Chequing, Free Debit, and More Account. Offer ends July 6, 2026. T&Cs apply.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

The Coast Capital Free Chequing, Free Debit, and More Account offers unlimited free transactions with no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements, making it competitive choice if you're looking for a no-fee new account offer from a credit union. Just keep in mind that sending an Interac e-Transfer with this account will cost $1.50 per transfer.


Offer requirements:

Earn $150. New members can get $150 when they open and use a Coast Capital Free Chequing, Free Debit, and More Account. Offer ends July 6, 2026.

Pros

  • Generous welcome offer
  • $0 monthly account fee
  • Unlimited day-to-day transactions
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Overdraft protection on approved credit

Cons

  • A $0 monthly account fee applies
  • $1.50 e-Transfer fee
  • Out-of-network ATM fees
  • You need to become a Coast Capital member to open an account
  • Not available in Quebec

Scotiabank Preferred Package

Scotiabank logo
Finder score
Finder score
$16.95
(can be waived)
Unlimited
$0
Earn up to $700 when you bundle a Preferred Package, savings account, and registered account. Valid until July 2, 2026. T&Cs apply.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

Beyond its competitive new account promo, the Scotiabank Preferred Package offers unlimited transactions, free Interac e-Transfers and access to over 3,500 ATMs in through the Global ATM Alliance. You'll also get an annual fee rebate on select Scotiabank credit cards.


Offer requirements:

Earn up to a $700 bonus. Earn $500 by completing any two of the following steps within 60 days of opening the Scotiabank Preferred Package (offer valid until July 2, 2026):

(1) Set up and clear at least one eligible automated and recurring direct deposit, such as payroll or pension, which will recur monthly for a minimum of 6 consecutive months, or (2) Set up and clear a minimum of one eligible recurring pre-authorized transactions with a minimum value of at least $50 per transaction which will each recur monthly for a minimum of 6 consecutive months, or (3) Make at least one eligible online bill payment of at least $50 through the Scotiabank Mobile App or through Scotia OnLine.

To earn up to $100 more, you must complete Step 1. Before July 2, 2026, and within 60 days of opening your new Package account, open a new RRSP, TFSA or FHSA.

To earn up to $100 more, you must complete Step 1. Before July 2, 2026, and within 60 days of opening a new Money Master Savings Account and set up either Pay Yourself First or the Savings Finder tool. Stay enrolled for at least 90 days in a row.

Pros

  • Earn a welcome bonus of up to $700
  • Get $0 transactions
  • $0 Interac eTransfers
  • Access to Scotiabank's Global ATM Alliance
  • Earn SCENE+ points on debit purchases
  • Annual fee rebate on select credit cards

Cons

  • Standard $16.95 monthly account fee applies
  • Non-Scotiabank ATM fees may apply

Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account

Tangerine logo
Finder score
Finder score
$0
Unlimited
$0
Earn up to $250 when you open a No-Fee Daily Chequing Account and move your pay. Valid until October 31, 2026. T&Cs apply.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

The Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account promo is one of the best new account offers from a digital bank currently available in Canada. It's also easy to qualify for the offer. Plus, you'll be able to benefit from this account's other perks like its $0 monthly fee, unlimited transactions and free Interac e-Transfers.


Offer requirements:

Earn up to $250. Open a No-Fee Daily Chequing Account and switch your payroll deposits to your new Tangerine Chequing Account for 2 consecutive months to receive $250. Valid until October 31, 2026.

Pros

  • Earn up to 0.1% interest on your balance
  • Unlimited transactions
  • Free Interac e-Transfers
  • Free cheques
  • Mobile cheque deposits
  • Standard Visa Debit card
  • Access to Scotiabank's Global ATM Alliance

Cons

  • Charges for certain ATMs
  • No in-person service
  • Only one free replacement card

Simplii No Fee Chequing Account

Simplii Financial logo
Finder score
Finder score
$0
Unlimited
$0
Earn $300 when you become a new client and set up a direct deposit of at least $100 for 3 months. Offer ends September 30, 2026. T&Cs apply.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

Simplii tends to offer some of the highest new account bonuses on the market among digital banks. And as with any digital banks, it offers a no-fee structure that you can continue to benefit from long after you've cashed in on the bonus. This Simplii No Fee Chequing Account comes standard with a $0 monthly fee and unlimited transactions and Interac e-Transfers.


Offer requirements:

Earn a welcome bonus of $300 and a $50 Skip gift card when you become a new client and set up a direct deposit of at least $100 for 3 months. Offer ends September 30, 2026.

Pros

  • No monthly account fee
  • Earn a welcome bonus of up to $300 and a $50 Skip gift card
  • Get unlimited free transactions and e-Transfers
  • Earn 0.01% interest on your balance
  • No minimum deposit requirements
  • Earn a referral bonus

Cons

  • Simplii is an online-only provider, so there's no in-person service
  • You can only earn the welcome bonus if you're a new Simplii customer
  • Residents of Quebec cannot open a Simplii account

Coast Capital Unlimited Chequing Account

Coast Capital logo
Finder score
Finder score
$8.50
(can be waived)
Unlimited
$0
New members can get $450 when they open and use a Coast Capital Unlimited Chequing Account. Offer ends July 6, 2026. T&Cs apply.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

The Coast Capital Unlimited Chequing Account promo could be the best new account offer for you if you're looking for a low-fee chequing account from a Canada-wide credit union. The account comes with unlimited free transactions and Interac e-Transfers and free withdrawals form any ATM in Canada within The Exchange Network—all for the low monthly fee of $8.50, which can be waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $4,000.


Offer requirements:

Earn $450. New members can get $450 when they open and use a Coast Capital Unlimited Chequing Account. Offer ends July 6, 2026.

Pros

  • Competitive welcome offer
  • Unlimited day-to-day transactions
  • Unlimited free Interac e-Transfers
  • 25 free cheques annually
  • Monthly fee discount available

Cons

  • Standard monthly account fee of $8.50
  • Out-of-network and international ATM fees will apply
  • Not available in Quebec

TD Unlimited Chequing Account

TD logo
Finder score
Finder score
$17.95
(can be waived)
Unlimited
$0
Get up to $750 when you open a TD Unlimited Chequing Account. Offer ends June 3, 2026.. T&Cs apply.
View details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

The TD Unlimited Chequing Account consistently offers one of the highest new account offers in Canada. It also comes standard with all of the flexibility someone would need for everyday banking—unlimited transactions and Interac e-Transfers, plus no fees at any ATM in Canada.


Offer requirements:

Get up to $750 when you open a TD Unlimited Chequing Account. Terms and conditions apply. Offer ends June 3, 2026. Earn $500 when you open this account and complete two of following by May 5, 2026: Set up a recurring Direct Deposit, set up a recurring Pre-Authorized Debit Payment or make an Online Bill Payment.

Earn $150 when you when you open a new eligible Savings Account by June 3, 2026 and complete one elegible task. Plus, deposit into a new eligible Savings Account to earn a Bonus Interest Rate.

Pros

  • No fees for TD and non-TD ATMs in Canada
  • First-year fee rebate on select credit cards
  • Unlimited transactions and e-Transfers
  • Discounted monthly fee of $11.95 for seniors

Cons

  • High monthly fee if you don't meet minimum balance requirements

CIBC Smart Account

CIBC logo
Finder score
Finder score
$16.95
(can be waived)
Unlimited
$0
Earn up to $850 when you open a CIBC Smart Account with an eligible credit card and complete the qualifying actions within 2 months. Offer ends May 13, 2026. T&Cs apply.
View details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

The CIBC Smart Account offers flexible banking with three tiers that reward you for keeping higher balances. There's also no monthly account fee for youth under 25, students, seniors, newcomers, foreign workers, RDSP beneficiaries and recipients of the Disability Tax Credit.


Offer requirements:

Earn $850 when you open a CIBC Smart Account (offer ends May 13, 2026) and complete these qualifying actions within 2 months:

(1) Set up recurring direct deposits of $500 or more per month from your employer, government or pension (2) Complete one of the following actions within the same calendar month: two recurring pre-authorized debits, two online bill payments of $50 or more each and five online Visa Debit purchases.

Then get $100 when you apply and get approved for any eligible CIBC credit card within one month of opening your CIBC Smart Account. And then get an additional $250 bonus value when you spend on a CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card with10% cash back of up to $200 on net purchases up to $2,000, and a $50 cash back bonus when you set up your first pre-authorized payment on the card.

Pros

  • Unlimited transactions across all tiers
  • Free Interac e-Transfers
  • Credit card annual fee rebates
  • The monthly fee is waivable
  • Balance tiers are based on the combined average monthly amount across all eligible CIBC accounts

Cons

  • Steep monthly balance requirements for Tier 2 and 3
  • High monthly fee for Tier 1 if you can't maintain a daily balance of $4,000

PC Money Account

PC Financial logo
Finder score
PC Money Account
Finder score
$0
Unlimited
$0
View details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

Functioning as both a spending and saving account, the PC Money Account has been revamped to offer one of the highest ongoing interest rates in Canada. With no monthly fee and unlimited free transactions, you can earn PC Optimum points every time you spend, and earn a high interest rate of 2.2% on your savings.


Offer requirements:

New customers can earn 150,000 bonus PC Optimum points—equal to $150—when you open a PC Money Account. To qualify, you'll need to deposit a total of at least $1,500 in a calendar month to your PC Money Account using automatic payroll or pension direct deposits within 60 days of opening the account. Then, in each of the following 2 calendar months, you must deposit at least $1,500 to your account using automatic payroll or pension direct deposits. In total, there must be a minimum of $1,500 deposited for 3 consecutive months to meet the offer requirements.

Pros

  • No monthly fees
  • Earn 2.2% interest on your account balance
  • Unlimited free transactions and Interac e-Transfers
  • No minimum balance requirements

Cons

  • No way to deposit cash or cheques at ATMs
  • Mobile cheque deposit is not available
  • Can't order cheques
loading

Check out our full guide to the best chequing accounts in Canada

Requirements for the best new savings account offers

If you’re looking to qualify for the best savings account offers instead, it’s important to make sure you complete all of the requirements necessary to activate the bonus interest. Below, we’ve outlined the qualification requirements for each of the best new savings account offers we listed in the comparison table above, starting with EQ Bank and Scotiabank:

Finder Score Promo Rate Regular Interest Rate Monthly Account Fee

EQ Bank Notice Savings Account

EQ Bank logo
Finder score
Finder score
N/A
Up to 2.75%
$0
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

The EQ Bank Notice Savings Account offers a high interest rate of up to 2.75%, no account fees, no minimum balance requirements and CDIC protection up to $100,000. That said, because it requires a withdrawal notice period, it's not ideal as an emergency fund if you need quick access to the funds.


Offer requirements:

Sign up for the EQ Bank Notice Savings Account. Choose to access your withdrawal funds after 10 days for a 2.35% savings rate or 30 days for a 2.75% interest rate.

Pros

  • $0 account fee
  • No minimum balance required to earn interest
  • $0 transactions
  • Earn up to 2.35% - 2.75% interest on your balance
  • CDIC protection up to $100,000

Cons

  • Cannot withdraw funds before at least 10 days
  • No physical branches for in-person service
  • Some standard banking features aren't available, like overdraft protection, Interac e-Transfers, use of ATMs and the option to have paper statements

Scotia High Interest Savings Account

Scotiabank logo
Finder score
Finder score
5.00% for 3 months
0.75%
$0
Receive a special welcome promotional interest rate of up to 5.00% for the first 3 months (90 days) when you open your first Scotia High Interest Savings Account. T&Cs apply.
$80$80 REWARD
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

The Scotia High Interest Savings Account is Scotiabank's newest savings account, which is designed to offer competitive ongoing interest rates on larger savings balances—so the higher your balance, the higher the interest rate. Balances between $0 and $10,000 will earn 0% interest. Balances higher than that will earn a standard interest rate between 0.75% and 2.2%, plus a bonus rate boost to bring the total possible interest rate to 5.00% for 3 months, based on the total balance between all eligible Scotoabank savings accounts. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly.


Offer requirements:

Earn up to 5% for the first 3 months when you open your first Scotia High Interest Savings Account. You must not currently have a MomentumPLUS Savings Account or a Scotia HISA or have held either account within the last 2 years.

You'll earn the standard tiered interest rate (on balances of $10,000 or above), which is dependent on your total balance across all eligible Scotiabank accounts, and then earn an additional promotional interest rate boost of 2.80% for the first 90 days on your Scotia High Interest Savings Account. T&Cs apply.

Pros

  • $0 account fee
  • Earn up to 5.00% interest on your deposits
  • The account's higher rates are on par with digital bank offerings
  • CDIC insured for up to $100,000

Cons

  • Balances below $10,000 will earn 0% interest
  • Unless you have a very high savings balance, you can find more competitive rates at other banks

Tangerine Savings Account

Tangerine logo
Finder score
Finder score
4.50% for 5 months
0.30%
$0
Earn 4.50% interest for 5 months (on up to $1,000,000 in deposits) when you sign up by July 31, 2026. T&Cs apply.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

Tangerine consistently offers one of the best new account savings rates of any bank, and often the highest promo rate of all digital banks. It's also common for Tangerine to offer interest rate boosts on a semi-ongoing basis to its current customers, so there's a good chance that you can still take advantage of higher rates after the promo period ends.


Offer requirements:

Open a Tangerine Savings Account to earn 4.50% for the first 5 months (on up to $1,000,000 in deposits) when you sign up by July 31, 2026. Thereafter, you'll earn 0.30%.

Pros

  • No monthly fees
  • Earn an ongoing rate of 0.3% on your entire balance
  • All everyday transactions are $0
  • Offers an Automatic Savings Program for making recurring deposits into your account
  • No minimum balance requirements
  • CDIC insured for $100,000

Cons

  • Ongoing rate is not as competitive as other savings accounts
  • No physical branches for in-person service

Simplii High Interest Savings Account

Simplii Financial  logo
Finder score
Finder score
4.60% for 5 months
0.30%
$0
Earn 4.60% interest for 5 months on up to $100,000 in savings. Offer ends July 31, 2026. T&Cs apply.
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

The Simplii High Interest Savings Account offers a very high promo rate of 4.6% interest for 5 months, which is competitive among both Big Banks and digital banks. Once the promo period ends, you'll earn a tiered interest rate between 0.3% and 1% interest on your balance.


Offer requirements:

Sign up for the Simplii High Interest Savings Account. Earn 4.60% interest for 5 months on up to $100,000 in savings. Terms Apply. Offer ends July 31, 2026.

Pros

  • $0 account fee
  • $0 transactions
  • Earn 4.6% interest for 5 months
  • Earn an ongoing rate up to 1%
  • No minimum balance requirements to start earning interest
  • CDIC insured for up to $100,000

Cons

  • No physical branches for in-person service
  • Can get higher ongoing interest with other savings accounts
  • Tiered interest rate structure offers low rates on smaller balances
  • Not available in Quebec

Neo Savings Account

Neo Financial logo
Finder score
Finder score
N/A
Up to 3.00%
$0
Win up to $10,000 in cash. Register for the contest & open a Neo Savings Account. Every $1 deposited into your Neo Savings account from an external bank equals 1 contest entry. No limit on number of entries. Contest ends July 9, 2026. T&Cs apply.
$80$80 REWARD
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

The Neo Savings Account offers a high ongoing interest rate—especially on larger balances. It allows you to earn 2.25% on balances up to $4,999.99, earn 2.5% on balances between $5,000 and $19,999.99 and on balances of $20,000 or more, you'll earn a rate of 3%. Plus, it comes with $0 annual fees and no minimum balance requirement to start earning interest.


Offer requirements:

With the Neo Savings Account, you'll earn an ongoing interest rate of 2.25% to 3% on your savings depending on your balance. Plus, you can enter for a chance to win a Grand Prize of $10,000 cash, or two secondary prizes of $2,500 cash.

You'll get 2x contest entries when opening a joint account, 2x entries when turning on auto-save and 4x entries when doing both. Plus, every $1 deposited into a Neo Savings Account from an external bank will equal one contest entry, and there is no maximum cap on the number of entries. The contest runs until July 9, 2026 (subject to extension).

Pros

  • Earn a high ongoing interest rate between 2.25% and 3%
  • $0 account fee
  • No minimum balance to earn interest
  • CDIC insured for up to $100,000

Cons

  • No physical branches for in-person service
  • The highest interest rates are only available on higher balances
  • Can only transfer funds out through the Neo chequing account

KOHO Everything Plan

KOHO logo
Finder score
Finder score
N/A
Up to 3.50%
$14.75
$75$75 REWARD
Go to siteView details
Compare product selection

Why we like it

While the KOHO Everything Plan offers a competitive promo interest rate, the account itself is designed as a savings account with spending power with a prepaid card where you earn cashback on your purchases. That said, unlike most savings accounts in Canada, this one comes with a monthly fee of $22.


Offer requirements:

Pick the KOHO Everything Plan and opt-in to earn 3.50% interest, plus earn up to 5% cashback on spending with your KOHO prepaid card.

Pros

  • $0 transactions
  • $0 Interac e-Transfers
  • Earn up to 3.5% interest on your balance
  • The monthly fee can be waived under certain conditions
  • Get 2% cash back on groceries, transportation, eating and drinking purchases plus 0.5% cash back on all other spending
  • CDIC insured for up to up to $100,000

Cons

  • The account comes with a standard $22 monthly fee
  • No physical branches
  • No ATM network
loading

Check out our full guide to the best savings accounts in Canada

Which bank gives you money for opening an account with them?

The Canadian banks currently offering money for opening an account are:

    • BMO: Earn up to $800 with the BMO Performance Chequing Account
    • Scotiabank: Earn up to $700 with the Scotiabank Preferred Package
    • RBC: Apple Watch Series 11 GPS with the RBC Signature No Limit Banking Account
    • TD Canada Trust: Earn $750 with the TD Unlimited Chequing Account
    • Coast Capital: Earn $450 with the Unlimited Chequing Account.
    • Coast Capital: Earn $150 with the Free Chequing, Free Debit, and More Account
    • Tangerine: Earn $250 with the Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account
    • CIBC: Earn $850 with the CIBC Smart Account
    • Simplii: Earn $300 and a $50 Skip gift card with the Simplii No Fee Chequing Account

Summary of Big Bank new account offers

You can see a summary of new bank account offers and promotions currently available from Canada's Big 6 Banks below. Keep in mind that, although Big Banks tend to offer the highest sign-up offers, you'll typically get better ongoing rates and fees from digital banks. So compare various offers before signing up.

How to compare the best bank promotions in Canada

New bank account offers and bank promotions come with attractive perks, but switching accounts may not be right for you. Here are a few things to think about:

  • What are the new account’s ongoing fees? Don’t let offers to open a new bank account distract you from an account’s ongoing fees. For example, most traditional banks charge a monthly fee of around $4 up to $30 per chequing account, while digital banks don’t charge monthly fees. Also, check if there are fees for transactions, transfers or ATM usage.
  • When does the new bank account offer end? Bank promotions in Canada come and go. New account offers may only last a few months. It’s good to carefully consider your options, but don’t take too long, or you might miss out on a great bonus.
  • Are you satisfied with your current bank? It may be worth switching banks if your current bank doesn’t offer good service or another bank offers better accounts and products for your needs.
  • Is it easy to open a new account? It’s usually pretty easy to open a bank account online, although some banks have branches where you can get help in person.

In March 2026, the Government of Canada mandated that all NSF fees be capped at $10 (it was previously $40 to $50) and can only be charged once within two business days per account for all federally regulated financial institutions.

That said, when choosing a new account offer to sign up for, it’s still important to check how accounts handle insufficient funds to make sure potential fees won’t cancel out the bonus. For example, EQ Bank doesn’t offer overdraft protection, but it does not charge any NSF fees, while traditional banks offer overdraft protection but charge NSF fees.

Advantages and disadvantages of opting for new bank account offers

Pros

  • Extra cash. Bank promotions can be a low-effort way to pocket some extra cash. All of the signup and account arrangements can be done from the comfort of your couch.
  • Bundled bonuses. Many new bank account offers come with bundled promotions where a bank will give you extra bonuses for signing up for multiple accounts at once (e.g. a chequing account cash bonus + a savings account rate bonus when opened together).
  • Rewards for banking. If you're already planning to open a new bank account, as long as the account fits your everyday banking needs, a bank promotion will pay you for a task you were planning to do anyway.

Cons

  • You may not qualify for the entire bonus. The highest bonus offers have complicated qualification steps, but if you don't complete all of the steps within the required timeline, you won't receive as large a bonus as you expected.
  • Monthly fees. The highest account bonuses often come with Big Bank accounts that charge a monthly fee, so unless you plan to leave thousands (usually $4,000+) in the account at all times to waive it, fees can quickly pile up and eat away at the bonus.
  • Long wait times. Most new bank account offers require you to wait at least three months or up to a year to receive the full bonus, so it isn't an immediate source of extra cash.

How to get a new bank account offer and bank promotion

To take advantage of bank promotions in Canada, all you have to do is open an account within the promotional time period. It’s that simple. Here’s how the process works:

  1. Compare bank promotions. Compare rewards and bonuses for different new bank account offers. Also, look at ongoing fees, features and minimum balance requirements (if any) for any accounts you’re interested in opening.
  2. Apply for an account. It’s easy to apply for a bank account online. Visit the bank’s website, and apply to open an account by providing your name, contact details, basic employment info, Social Insurance Number (SIN) and your reason for opening an account (i.e. spending, saving, investing).
  3. Submit proof of ID. Upload a copy of a valid, government-issued ID such as a driver’s license, passport or Permanent Resident card. If you don’t have a photo ID, learn more about your options here.
  4. Start using your account. Once approved, you’ll likely have immediate access to your online account and can register for online and mobile banking. You’ll receive your debit card in the mail shortly.
  5. Get your new account bonus. After satisfying all the requirements of your new account offer, you’ll get your reward or bonus. Some bank promotions in Canada require a minimum deposit or several months of using direct deposit or bill payment features before you can receive a new account bonus.

Are new bank account offers worth switching for?

For the right customers, yes, new bank account promotions can be a great way to get ahead a little financially or treat yourself to something special. These special offers work best when you genuinely need a new account and aren’t simply jumping between banks to accumulate bonuses.

“Account hopping” can be inconvenient, and you’ll eventually run out of bank promos to take advantage of. This is because most banks only offer new account bonuses to customers who have never held an account at that institution before.

Additionally, some new account offers require you to jump through extra hoops to secure a bonus. This could include participating in an automatic savings plan or setting up direct deposit for your income or a few bills for at least several months.

In the end, it makes sense to hunt around for a new bank account offer when the need arises to open a new account. Just make sure you’ve taken into consideration your financial habits, and whether it’s worth paying a monthly fee for the account, before applying.

Compare offers from multiple banks to find the most competitive deal. Also pay attention to non-promotional fees and features, so you know what to expect in the long run.

The real math: What is an offer's effective value?
Before signing up for a high advertised bank offer, calculate the maintenance costs required to keep the account open for the bank’s mandatory retention period (e.g. 12 months):
  • High-fee account scenario:
    $600 cash bonus − ($30 monthly fee × 12 months) = $240 effective value
  • No-fee account scenario:
    $300 cash bonus − ($0 monthly fee × 12 months) = $300 effective value

Finder’s Tip: If you can’t consistently maintain the minimum balance required to waive the monthly fee, a smaller promotion on a no-fee account may leave you with more money overall after one year—a higher effective value—than a larger bonus tied to a high-fee account.

Recently expired account promotional offers in Canada

We’ve been tracking historical bank promotions for years, which has allowed us to recognize trends in how bank offers change and how much value they offer potential customers. Some key insights are:

  • Most banks typically refresh their new account offers every 2 to 4 months
  • If you miss a promotion, you’ll likely see a comparable offer within the same year
  • In many cases, previous bank bonuses were lower than what we’re seeing now

In the past, bank promotions were often worth a few hundred dollars. But due to a more competitive banking landscape in Canada, it’s common for Canadian financial institutions to offer higher sign-up bonuses that exceed $500, with some offers approaching $1,000.

While it’s unclear whether bonuses will continue to rise, current offers are among the most competitive we’ve seen, which means now might be the best time to jump on a new account offer.

Quick insight: Bank account bonuses can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on when you opt in, which is why comparing current and recently expired offers is useful. See recently expired bank offers below to compare how today’s deals stack up:

Bank accountExpired offerExpiry dateCurrent status
BMO Performance Chequing AccountEarn a $700 welcome bonus, plus a Walmart Delivery Pass subscription for up to 12 monthsMarch 2, 2026Expired—Replaced with new offer
RBC Signature No Limit Banking AccountGet a free Apple iPad (11-inch, Wi-Fi, 128GB)November 3, 2025Expired—Replaced with new offer
Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing AccountEarn up to $250January 31, 2026Expired—Replaced with new offer
Scotiabank Preferred PackageEarn up to $700March 2, 2026Expired—Replaced with new offer
Coast Capital Unlimited Chequing AccountEarn up to $850March 31, 2026Expired—Replaced with new offer
Coast Capital Free Chequing, Free Debit and More AccountEarn up to $550March 31, 2026Expired—Replaced with new offer

Bank bonuses in Canada are cyclical, so if you missed a specific promotion, there’s a good chance a comparable (or better) offer will return. Browse our active new bank account offers to see what promos are currently available.

Sign up to receive our banking promotion roundup emails to never miss an offer again:

How do bank referral bonuses work?

Some banks in Canada offer refer-a-friend promotions to encourage their current customers to get their family and friends to sign up for a new account at the bank. That means banks will quite literally pay you (and your friend) a cash bonus when your friend opens an account.

Bank referral bonuses typically offer between $20 and $50 per referral. There are often some basic requirements involved to qualify to receive the bonus—like the friend funding their new account with a couple of hundred dollars for a few months.

If you’re thinking about opening a new bank account, it’s worth checking with your family and friends to see if they have a referral program that you can opt into to earn a referral bonus when you open your new bank account.

Combining a bank referral bonus with one of the best new account offers can be a great strategy for Canadians to maximize how much they earn with a new bank account.

Bank referral bonuses and refer-a-friend promotions

Simplii No Fee Chequing Account

Simplii refer-a-friend bonus: Get up to $175

  • For a limited time, earn $125 when your friend opens a No Fee Chequing Account or another eligible account with your unique referral link. Your friend can earn $50.
  • Both you and your friend will get $50 Simplii referral bonus when your friend sends money abroad with Global Money Transfer.
EQ Bank Personal Account

EQ Bank referral bonus: Get $20

  • Both you and your friend will earn $20 when your friend opens a EQ Bank Personal Account.
KOHO Everything Plan

KOHO referral bonus: Get up to $100 in value

  • Refer a friend to KOHO and, once your friend signs up through your KOHO referral code and makes a $20+ purchase within 30 days, you get $100 cash and your friend gets three months of the Everything Plan for free (worth $66).
BMO Performance Chequing Account

BMO referral offer: Get $50

  • If you refer a close friend or family member to BMO, and they open a chequing account by June 30, 2026, you'll both receive a $50 digital E-Gift card or E-Promo card. Participation in this referral program is by invitation only.
Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account

Tangerine referral bonus: Get $50

  • Once your friend signs up using your Orange Key and fulfills qualifying actions, you'll both earn $50.
CIBC Smart Account

CIBC referral bonus: Get $50

  • As a welcome-to-Canada bonus for new immigrants, both you and your friend can earn a $50 CIBC referral bonus when your friend opens an eligible CIBC Smart Account and completes qualifying actions.

Bank promotions in Canada from 2022 to 2026

We’ve been tracking bank promotions in Canada for years. To help give you a snapshot of how promotional savings rates have changed over time, take a look at this chart comparing promotional rates from a Big Five Bank (Scotiabank) and a digital bank (Simplii Financial) from 2022 to 2026.

Interestingly, new savings account promotional rates generally rose between 2022 and 2024 but started decreasing near the end of 2024 and into 2025 before flatlining in 2026—a trend is very much in line with the Bank of Canada’s benchmark rates over that same time.

What do Canadians think of new account offers?

In our latest Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey March 2026, we asked Canadians how new account offers factor into their decisions when choosing between accounts. It turns out that 16.26% of Canadians think bank promotional offers are the most important factor when switching accounts, while nearly half of Canadians (49.19%) use promotions as one of several factors to weigh their decisions. Interestingly, a little over 1 in 10 Canadians (13.44%) aren’t even aware that banks offer these promotions.

In the previous Finder: Consumer Sentiment Survey January 2025, we asked Canadians what they thought about new account offers in general. It turns out that over half (55.54%) of Canadians would switch bank accounts to take advantage of an advertised promotional offer, while 25.87% said that the sign-up bonus would play an important factor in their decision.

We also wanted to know how Canadians have responded to bank promotions in the past, and we found that 30.57% switched accounts due to a bonus offer and ended up sticking with the account long term.

However, a small number of Canadians (8.39%) said they were disappointed with the offer after switching. That’s why it’s important to carefully compare promotional offers before signing up to ensure that making the switch will be worth it.

FAQs about bank promotions in Canada

Sources

Chelsey Hurst's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Chelsey Hurst as part of our fact-checking process.
Stacie Hurst's headshot
Written by

Associate editor

Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family. See full bio

Stacie's expertise
Stacie has written 246 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Banking
  • Stock Trading
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Personal Loans
  • Car Loans
  • Credit Cards
Emma Balmforth's headshot
Co-written by

Producer

Emma Balmforth is a producer at Finder. She is passionate about helping people make financial decisions that will benefit them now and in the future. She has written for a variety of publications including World Nomads, Trek Effect and Uncharted. Emma has a degree in Business and Psychology from the University of Waterloo. She enjoys backpacking, reading and taking long hikes and road trips with her adventurous dog. See full bio

Emma's expertise
Emma has written 119 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Banking
  • Personal Loans
  • Car Loans
  • Business Loans

Ask a question

You must be logged in to post a comment.

More guides on Finder

Go to site