Free no cost bank accounts

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) has established a commitment with major banks to offer free bank accounts to specific groups, including disabled individuals who qualify for the Disability tax credit (DTC) or are a recipient of provincial social assistance such as ODSP.  This commitment was updated on December 1, 2025, enhancing the benefits and ensuring they are more widely available to Canadians in need.  All accounts include at least 18 free debit transactions per month (a 50% increase from the previous 12 transaction maximum) along with some Interac e-transfer services. 

Below are a list of financial institutions and the services they provide.

Financial InstitutionAccount nameTransactionsInterac e-transfer transactions
Alterna BankBasic Chequing18 free debit transactions per monthUnlimited
Bank of China (Canada)Basic Chequing Account18 free transactions per month 4 free per month
BMOPractical Plan18 free debit transactions per monthUnlimited
CIBC Everyday Chequing18 free debit transactions per monthUnlimited
Hana Bank Canada1Q Chequing/1Q Savings18 free debit transactions per monthUnlimited
ICICI Bank Basic Chequing Account18 free debit transactions per monthUnlimited
Industrial Commercial Bank of China Basic Chequing AccountUnlimitedUnlimited
Innovation Federal Credit Union No-Fee Bank AccountUnlimitedUnlimited
Laurentian BankEssential Services18 free debit transactions per monthUnlimited
National Bank The Minimalist18 free debit transactions per monthUnlimited
Royal Bank of Canada Day to Day Banking18 free debit transactions per monthUnlimited
Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account18 free debit transactions per monthUnlimited
Tangerine BankNo-Fee Daily Chequing AccountUnlimitedUnlimited
TD BankMinimum Chequing18 free debit transactions per monthUnlimited

Note – Since they are voluntary commitments monitored by the FCAC, banks are required to educate their staff of these no fee account options.  If a bank representative is unaware, ask to speak to another representative or specifically mention the FCAC Modernized Commitment on no cost bank accounts.

Note 2 – Beneficiaries or account holders may have to provide proof that they are eligible for the DTC or ODSP.  Different banks will have different methods of determining whether the client is qualified.      

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