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Chequing account

National Bank

National Bank The Minimalist Chequing Account

3.2/5 our rating

Best for: Simple and affordable banking

Open account

Opens National Bank's website

Monthly fee
$3.95
waivable

Overview

National Bank's low-cost account: 18 digital transactions a month, Interac e-Transfers included, for a small fee. It's free if you're 24 or under, and for seniors receiving the GIS, RDSP beneficiaries and Indigenous peoples. It suits people who put most of their spending on a credit card and only use chequing for bills and transfers.

What we like

  • Easy online application

  • Monthly fee rebates

  • Low overall monthly fees

  • 18 digital transactions per month (including Interac e-Transfer ®)

Worth knowing

  • Limited digital transactions

  • No minimum balance monthly fee waiver

  • Limited in-person service

Fees

Account fees

Monthly fee

$3.95

Fee waiver: 0-17 years old

Full waiver

0-17 years old Monthly fees (3): $0/month

Fee waiver: 18-24 years old (Including students)

Full waiver

18-24 years old (Including students) Monthly fees (3): $0/month

Fee waiver: Other No-Monthly Fee Eligibility

Full waiver

- Ages 65 and over receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) - Ages 18 and over who are beneficiaries of a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) - Indigenous peoples (9)

eStatement

Included

ATM fees

Own network

$0

Canadian ATMs

$2

International and currency

International transaction fee

$5.95

Foreign currency conversion

2.5%

Other fees

NSF (non-sufficient funds)

$10

Overdraft protection

$5/month

Overdraft interest

21% annually (if used)

Bank draft

$7.5

Highlights

  • Apply online in just a few clicks  
  • 18 digital transactions per month (including Interac e-Transfer ®)
  • Access to mobile cheque deposit
  • Online and mail statements at no extra cost
  • Access to THE EXCHANGE ® network of ABMs at no additional cost 
  • Interac ® e-Transfer Autodeposit
  • Credit card alerts
  • Mobile cheque deposit
  • International money transfers
  • Direct deposit of government payments

®THE MINIMALIST, THE CONNECTED, THE TOTAL and NATIONAL BANK are registered trademarks of National Bank of Canada.

® Interac and Interac e-Transfer are registered trademarks of Interac Corp. Used under licence.

  1. Transactions carried out at our ABMs, a participating merchant, through our online banking services (including our call centre) or those related to certain operations in your account. 
  2. Transactions carried out at our branches during normal business hours. 
  3. The Minimalist package is offered with no flat monthly fee for those aged 24 and under, including students; people under 18 years old and for Indigenous Peoples upon presentation of a valid Secure Certificate of Indian Status or Certificate of Indian Status, a letter from an Indigenous community organization (e.g., elders, band, council, etc.) confirming Indigenous status, proof of membership or registration in a Metis provincial or national representative organization, proof of membership from an Inuit land claim organization, seniors 65 years of age and older upon presentation of proof of eligibility for the Guaranteed Income Supplement, and beneficiaries (18 years of age and older) of a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) upon presentation of proof of eligibility for an RDSP.
  4. The fee is adjusted to your billing, up to a maximum of $0. We reserve the right to end, without notice, the discount applicable to your banking package if you do not maintain the eligible products. You must also maintain your credit card account in good standing by respecting the conditions provided for in the Credit Card Agreement. This discount cannot be combined with another banking offer. In the event you close your eligible credit card account or do not maintain the eligible banking plan or your credit card account in good standing, we will charge you the full amount of the applicable flat monthly fee, excluding this discount. See the applicable monthly fees on page 2 of the Fee Guide ⁠- Personal Banking Solutions.
  5. We reserve the right to end, without notice, the discount applicable to your banking package if you do not maintain the eligible products. You must also maintain your credit card account in good standing by respecting the conditions provided for in the Credit Card Agreement. This discount cannot be combined with a bank offer. In the event you close your eligible credit card account or do not maintain the eligible banking plan or your credit card account in good standing, we will charge you the full amount of the applicable flat monthly fee, excluding this discount. See the applicable monthly fees on page 2 of the Fee Guide ⁠- Personal Banking Solutions.
  6. Shipping and taxes not included.
  7. This is a voluntary commitment by National Bank of Canada to comply with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada's commitment to provide low-cost and no-cost bank accounts.
  8. For the purposes of our offer, “Newcomers” is defined as permanent residents (including people who have received “approval-in-principle” from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to stay in Canada), refugees (protected persons) and temporary residents (including student, worker, or temporary resident permit holders).
  9. The Minimalist package is offered with no flat monthly fee for seniors aged 65 and over upon presentation of eligibility for the Guaranteed Income Supplement; for beneficiaries (aged 18 and over) of a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) upon presentation of proof of eligibility for an RDSP; for students aged 24 and under; people under 18 years old and for Indigenous Peoples upon presentation of a valid Secure Certificate of Indian Status or Certificate of Indian Status, a letter from an Indigenous community organization (e.g., elders, band, council, etc.) confirming Indigenous status, proof of membership or registration in a Metis provincial or national representative organization, or proof of membership from an Inuit land claim organization.