Every Big-5 wants you. $50-$100 in cash to switch.
Every Big-5 bank has a student program with $0 monthly fees while you're enrolled. The differentiator: welcome bonuses, partner discounts (Cineplex Scene+, SPC), and which credit card they pair you with. Pick the one that matches your spending.
★ ALL 5 PROGRAMS ★
Side by side
🎓
TDSTUDENT MEMBER
TD All-Inclusive Student
MONTHLY FEE$0 while in school · $29.95 after
WELCOME$50 + free TD Aeroplan Visa Student
TRANSACTIONSUnlimited
E-TRANSFERFree unlimited
★ Aeroplan miles
★ NHL credit card option
★ TD Insurance discount
🎓
RBCSTUDENT MEMBER
RBC Signature No Limit Banking for Students
MONTHLY FEE$0 with student status
WELCOME$100 + free Cash Back Mastercard
TRANSACTIONSUnlimited
E-TRANSFERFree unlimited
★ RBC Avion student rate
★ Free Petro-Points membership
★ Insurance bundles
🎓
BMOSTUDENT MEMBER
BMO Plus Student
MONTHLY FEE$0 while in school
WELCOME$50-100 + free CashBack World Student
TRANSACTIONSUnlimited
E-TRANSFERFree unlimited
★ SPC discount card
★ BMO Mobile Cashback
🎓
ScotiaSTUDENT MEMBER
Scotiabank Student Banking Advantage Plan
MONTHLY FEE$0 during studies
WELCOME$75 + free Scene+ Visa Student
TRANSACTIONSUnlimited
E-TRANSFERFree unlimited
★ Scene+ rewards (Cineplex)
★ Free Scene+ card
🎓
CIBCSTUDENT MEMBER
CIBC Smart for Students
MONTHLY FEE$0 while in school
WELCOME$75 cash + CIBC Aero Mastercard
TRANSACTIONSUnlimited
E-TRANSFERFree unlimited
★ Aeroplan miles
★ SPC discounts
★ Free safety deposit box
★ FINTECH ALTERNATIVES ★
Skip the branch
Tangerine
Online · free · 5% promo savings · Scene+ option
Simplii
CIBC online · free · no-FX travel debit card
KOHO
Prepaid Mastercard · 1% cashback · early payday · budget vaults · NO history needed
4% savings (highest in Canada) · TFSA/RRSP/FHSA available
Neo Money
2.25% interest on balance free · pairs with Neo credit card
★ FEATURE CHECKLIST ★
What to look for
✓ $0 monthly fee while in school
✓ Unlimited Interac e-Transfers
✓ Unlimited debit transactions
✓ Mobile cheque deposit
✓ Free TFSA / RRSP / FHSA accounts
✓ Welcome bonus / cash back offer
✓ ABM access (your campus needs this)
✓ Multi-language support if needed
★ PRO MOVE ★
The double-account strategy
Open TWO accounts. Stack the welcome bonuses + diversify benefits.
One Big-5 (TD/RBC/Scotia/BMO/CIBC) for traditional banking + free credit card. PLUS one fintech (Wealthsimple Cash, KOHO, or EQ Bank) for everyday spending with cashback or higher interest. All free. Combined welcome bonuses = $100-$200 cash. Combined annual savings vs single account: $200-$500.
EXAMPLE STACK:BMO Plus Student ($100 bonus + AIR MILES card)+ Wealthsimple Cash ($25 referral + 1% cashback)+ EQ Bank for savings (4% interest)= $125+ in bonuses + ongoing perks