ATB Financial vs Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

Item: ATB Financial
Rating: 4

A side-by-side comparison of ratings, customer experience, products, fees, and pros & cons to help you choose the right bank.

VS

ATB Financial

4.0

Open account Read full review

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

4.1

Open account Read full review

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) edges ahead on our overall rating (4.1 vs 4.0), but the right pick depends on which products and fees matter most to you.

Overview

Top chequing accounts

Top savings account

Top credit card

All products offered

10 products

Savings

ATB Springboard Savings® Account

ATB Climber Savings Account

Chequing

ATB Unlimited Account

ATB Advantage Account

ATB No-Fee All-in Digital Account

ATB Basic Account

ATB Pay As You Go Account

Credit cards

ATB Gold Cash Rewards Mastercard®

ATB Gold My Rewards Mastercard®

ATB World Elite Mastercard®

28 products

Savings

RBC Day to Day Savings

Open ATB Financial account Open Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) account

Compare ATB with other banks

Compare RBC with other banks

ATB Financial is a provincially-owned bank with $110 billion in assets under management. What started as a small treasury branch has transformed into what ATB Financial calls “the largest financial institution headquartered in Western Canada.” Its operations are mainly in Alberta, though in 2023, ATB Wealth, its full-service brokerage, first expanded outside of the province. As of 2026, the wealth management arm has locations in both British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

With a range of financial services, ATB offers its customers access to chequing and savings accounts as well as credit cards, mortgages, business banking and wealth management. Its savings rates are more competitive than the biggest banks in Canada, offering slightly better returns on savings. It still trails the digital banks, though.

The institution also has several credit cards available to Alberta residents. Each of the cards has different perks, including cashback or rewards, though eligibility restrictions and constraints on rewards means their credit card offering lacks in comparison to the larger banks.

ATB also has a range of lending products as well as business banking and access to investment services through ATB Wealth and ATB Cormark Capital Markets. The bank offers more depth than many smaller regional institutions. And more than the digital banks. Its Alberta focus, however, makes it less convenient for Canadians who live outside of the province. For anyone inside its core market, ATB may be a strong full-service alternative.

As one of the largest and most established financial institutions in Canada, RBC stands out for its size and lineup of products. Its full-service approach allows customers to manage their everyday banking in the same place where they have their credit cards, mortgages, investments, and insurance.

RBC provides a large selection of products for everyday banking needs. It offers chequing accounts for specific groups like students, seniors, and newcomers. Premium banking options are also available. While its savings account lineup is less competitive, especially compared to fintechs, the firm periodically has valuable promotions. Long-term rates tend to lag behind other digital providers, though.

Not only does RBC have a wide range of bank account options, it also has one of the largest credit card lineups in Canada. Options range from cashback and rewards to travel and business. FinlyWealth recently ranked the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card amongst the best travel credit cards in Canada.

In terms of mortgage and lending products, the bank provides many options. But posted rates at RBC are not always the lowest in comparison to other banks and fintechs. While rates may be less competitive, the bank benefits from its widespread product offering as well as strong brand trust and broad advisor access.

Overall rating

4.0

4.1

Customer experience

3.3

2.8

Best for

ATB Financial works best for Albertans who want a full-service banking relationship within a regional institution.

Those who want full-service banking with access to both physical branches and a wide range of financial products. The bank also boasts strong digital banking tools and one of the largest ATM and branch networks in Canada, making it ideal for Canadians who value integrated banking as well as established customer support.

Pros & cons

Pros

Strong regional presence in Albera with more than 300 locations across the province
ATB Wealth expansion into areas outside of Alberta
Full-service product lineup including banking, lending, wealth management and capital markets
Competitive product lineup with unlimited banking and a no-fee digital account
Some savings accounts offer better rates than traditional Big Five savings accounts
More competitive loan and lending rates than the major banks

Cons

Primarily services Alberta so it is less convenient for those outside the province
Savings rate are still modest in comparison to digital high-interest savings accounts
Smaller credit card lineup compared to the major banks
Rewards program points are slightly less valuable than those from the bigger banks
Public customer reviews are mixed with complaints about service quality

Pros

In-person service available through one of the largest branch networks in Canada
More than 4,000 ATMs across the country
Strong integration between banking, lending, and investing
Robust product offering for savings and chequing accounts
Numerous credit card options with varying rewards
Established brand with broad access to customer support
Mobile app quality ranks well amongst the Big Six Canadian banks

Cons

Fees are typically higher than competitors
Monthly fees on many chequing accounts
Savings products pay a lower interest rate
Higher mortgage and loan rates comparatively
Some premium banking benefits require high balances or bundled products

ATB No-Fee All-in Digital Account

4.2 Our rating

OPEN ACCOUNT

on ATB's website

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Monthly Fee

$0

Account Type

Chequing • Personal

Highlights

No monthly fee with line of credit approval
Line of credit for the amount of $5,000 to $50,000¹
Unlimited digital transactions (in-branch transactions cost an additional $5 each)
No cost Interac e-Transfers
No minimum balance requirement
Reimbursement of up to $4.50 for an ABM withdrawal outside of Alberta but still in Canada (up to two withdrawals each month)
Reimbursement of $8 for one monthly ABM withdrawal in the US²

Account Fees

Monthly Fee

$0

eStatement

Included

ATB Advantage Account

4 Our rating

OPEN ACCOUNT

on ATB's website

Welcome Bonus

Earn up to $900* for new customers

Monthly Fee

$24.95 (waivable)

Account Type

Chequing • Personal

Welcome Bonus Details

Select your banking package. By opening a chequing account with ATB Financial and a credit card, you can follow the steps to get up to $900*
Fund your chequing account. Within 60 days, move your direct deposit to your new account and complete two eligible payments.^*
Activate your credit card. Complete a purchase on the card to receive your welcome bonus. Meet the spending goal and complete a credit card payment from your ATB chequing account within 60 days. Then, get your second bonus.^*

Highlights

$24.95 per month with the monthly fee waivable if you meet a $6,000 daily balance requirement
Unlimited no-cost Interac^® e-Transfers
No cost Alberta Lifestyle Cheques, bank drafts and stop payment service
Receive a discount of as much as 2.5% on approved interest rates for personal lines of credit (minimum rate is Prime + 3%)²
Reimbursement of up to $4.50 for an ABM withdrawal outside of Alberta but still in Canada (up to five withdrawals each month)
Credit card fee waiver on premium credit cards¹
Save $12 on the annual fee of a safety deposit box
Optional overdraft protection

Account Fees

Monthly Fee

$24.95

eStatement

Included

RBC VIP Banking Account

4.5 Our rating

OPEN ACCOUNT

on RBC's website

Welcome Bonus

Open an eligible RBC Chequing Account and get the new iPad(1)

Monthly Fee

$30 (rebates available)

Account Type

Chequing • Personal

Welcome Bonus Details

Open an eligible RBC Chequing Account and get the new iPad⁽¹⁾
Offer ends November 2 , 2026
Qualifying Criteria and other Conditions Apply

How to Get Your RBC iPad Offer

Once you’ve opened your the RBC Signature No Limit Banking account or the RBC VIP Banking account by November 2, 2026, complete at least two of the following within 90 days:

Set up your full payroll or pension as a direct deposit (no splitting)
Set up two pre-authorized monthly payments

Make two eligible bill payments using RBC Online Banking, the RBC Mobile app, an ATM or telephone banking. Other terms and conditions apply.

Highlights

Unlimited tap, swipe and debit transactions Worldwide⁽⁶⁾
$30/month⁽²⁾, as low as $17.05/month with the Value Program Rebate⁽¹⁴⁾, or $22.50/month after the Seniors⁽¹³⁾ Rebate
No minimum balance requirement
No monthly fee for up to two additional CAD accounts and one USD account⁽⁷⁾
Save up to $120 on eligible credit card annual fee^(10,38)
Free Interac e-Transfer transactions^(4,5)
Earn Avion points⁽¹⁵⁾ on everyday purchases
Save 3c/L on gas at Petro-Canada⁽⁶⁾
If you're not satisfied within the first 4 months, we'll refund up to 3 months of monthly fees⁽¹¹⁾
Free cross-border debits^(9,19,20)

Pros & Cons

Pros

Unlimited transactions + e-Transfers
Global ATM fee waivers (RBC side)
High credit card rebate ($120)
Strong bundle of premium perks
Great for frequent travellers

Cons

Very high $30 monthly fee
No full fee waiver option
FX fee still applies (2.5%)
Overkill if you don’t use premium perks
Not competitive vs free / low-cost banks

Account Fees

Monthly Fee

$30

Fee Rebate: Eligible Personal Credit Card, Personal Investment and Small Business Account

Save $12.95/mo

As low as $17.05/month with the Value Program Rebate(14)

Fee Rebate: Eligible Personal Credit Card, Personal Investment and Residential Mortgage

Save $12.95/mo

As low as $17.05/month with the Value Program Rebate(14)

Credit Card Rebate

Up to $120

eStatement

Included

Transactions

Unlimited free

Interac e-Transfers

Unlimited free

ATM Fees

Own Network

$0

Canadian ATMs

$2

USA

$3

International

$5

International & Currency

Foreign Currency Conversion

2.5%

Cross-Border Debit Fee

$0

Other Fees

NSF (Non-sufficient Funds)

$10

Overdraft Protection

$0/month

Overdraft Interest

22% annually (if used)

Bank Draft

$0

Best for: Full time students

RBC Advantage Banking Account for Students

4.2 Our rating

OPEN ACCOUNT

on RBC's website

Welcome Bonus

Open a No Monthly Fee RBC Advantage Banking Account for Students and Get AirPods 4.(1)

Monthly Fee

$0

Account Type

Chequing • Personal

Welcome Bonus Details

Open a No Monthly Fee RBC Advantage Banking Account for Students and Get AirPods 4¹
Bonus! Get 3 months of Apple Music with your new AirPods.
New subscribers only. After 3 months, subscription automatically renews until cancelled.
Conditions apply. Offer ends November 2, 2026. Complete offer qualifying criteria by January 15, 2027.

Highlights

$0 Monthly Fee⁽²⁾ for full-time students⁽³⁾
Unlimited Debit Transactions
Free Interac e-Transfer Transactions^(4,5)in Canada
One of the Largest Combined ATM and Branch Networks in Canada
Up to $48 rebate on the annual fee of an eligible credit card⁽¹⁾
Earn Avion Points on debit purchases, even with your Virtual Visa Debit
International Money Transfers - Pay no fee for U.S. and international money transfers for this offer/account

Pros & Cons

Pros

No monthly fee for full-time students
Unlimited Debit Transactions + Free Interac e-Transfers
Up to $48 rebate on the annual fee of an eligible credit card
Avion Points on debit purchases
Large branch + ATM network
No minimum balance required
No RBC fee at other-bank ATMs in Canada

Cons

Only for full-time students
Fees kick in after graduation
No interest on your balance
Rewards system is limited
Best perks require multiple RBC products

Account Fees

Monthly Fee

$0

Fee Waiver: Students Rebate

Full waiver

No monthly fee for full-time students or anyone 24 and younger(2,3)

eStatement

Included

Transactions

Unlimited free

Interac e-Transfers

Unlimited free

ATM Fees

Own Network

$0

Canadian ATMs

$0

USA

$3

International

$5

International & Currency

International Transaction Fee

$0

Foreign Currency Conversion

2.5%

Other Fees

NSF (Non-sufficient Funds)

$10

Overdraft Interest

22% annually (if used)

Bank Draft

$9.95

ATB Climber Savings Account

2.55 Our rating

OPEN ACCOUNT

on ATB's website

Welcome Bonus

Earn total interest of up to 4.60%* for your first 90 days

Regular Interest

Up to 0.6%

Monthly Fee

$0

Welcome Bonus Details

Eligible clients can get a total interest rate of 4.60%^* during their first 90 days from a special bonus of 4.10%.

Highlights

Get a premium interest rate for each premium period in addition to the base interest rate
No restrictions on withdrawals, though your premium period resets to day one. Any interest you already earned gets prorated and paid to you at month’s end.
$1.50 per Interac e-Transfer

RBC High Interest eSavings

2.7 Our rating

OPEN ACCOUNT

on RBC's website

Welcome Bonus

Earn 4.60% for 3 months for new High Interest eSavings account holders

Monthly Fee

$0

Welcome Bonus Details

If this is your first RBC High Interest eSavings account, you can earn up to 4.60% in interest for 3 months. Offer expires 3pm EST on June 9, 2026.

Interest rates

All balances 0.55%

Promotional rate of 4.60%¹³ on your first three months¹²

Account fees

Monthly Fee $0

eStatement Included

Highlights

Earn interest of up to 4.60%^12,13

Earn a rate of 0.55% or a promotional 4.60%¹³ on your first three months¹²
No monthly fee with no minimum balance requirement
No cost transfers to any of your personal RBC deposit accounts making it a practical choice for existing RBC customers
1 no charge ATM withdrawal per month with an additional $5 charge thereafter
Access to your savings at any time

ATB World Elite Mastercard®

3.1

Finly Rating

APPLY NOW

on ATB's website

Welcome Bonus

40,000 points

Rewards Rate

2x - 8x points

Points

Annual Fee

$120 $0

Interest Rates

20.99% / 22.99%

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300

Poor

560

Fair

660

Good

725⁎

Very Good

760⁎

Excellent

⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

Get your free credit score

Our Rating

3.1/5

The ATB World Elite Mastercard offers impressive rewards and insurance coverage, making it ideal for high-income Alberta residents seeking premium travel perks. However, the low point value and high income requirements might limit its appeal for some users.

Pros & Cons

Pros

High rewards
Extensive Coverage
Airport lounge access
first-year fee rebate

Cons

Low point value
Alberta residents only
High income requirement

Card Details

Rewards

8 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases on select travel merchants, including: airlines, hotels, motels and car rental companies
6 points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases on groceries, gas, digital streaming services and/or subscriptions, and entertainment
2 points for every $1 spent on any other purchases

The accelerated earn rate applies to the first $50,000 in annual purchases on the account, at merchants qualifying for the accelerated earn rate, per calendar year based on your statement cycle date. The annual spend cap for the accelerated earn rate resets every January. Once the combined cardholder spend exceeds this threshold in these categories, they will continue earning points at the regular earn rate of 2 points per $1 spent in purchases.

Insurance

Coverage

Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
1 year
Car Rental Accident
$225,000
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Car Rental Personal Effects
$1,000
Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)
22 days
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$300,000
Flight Delay
$500
Baggage Delay
$500
Trip Cancellation
$1,000
Trip Interruption
$1,000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000
Personal Effects
$1,000
Price Protection
$100 per item, $500 per account annually

Benefits

Details

Airport Lounge - Dragon Pass
4 complimentary lounge visits each year for each primary cardholder
Car Rental Discount
25% off base rate of participating Avis and Budget locations
Boingo Wi-Fi hotspot
over 1 million wifi hotspots worldwide

Eligibility

Credit Score
Very Good
Annual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household

RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option

4.8

Finly Rating

APPLY NOW

on RBC's website

Welcome Bonus

Enjoy a 0.99% introductory interest rate for the first 10 months on balance transfers^ and no annual fee for the first year*. Apply by September 30, 2026.

Rewards Rate

N/A

Annual Fee

$20 $0

Interest Rates

12.99% / 12.99%†

RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300

Poor

560

Fair

660⁎

Good

725⁎

Very Good

760⁎

Excellent

⁎Estimates based on Equifax scoring

Get your free credit score

Our Rating

4.8/5

A low-interest credit card in case you want to carry a balance every month. This card provides no rewards on purchases, however comes with a relatively lower interest rate compared to many other credit cards, so if you're unable to pay your balance in full every month, this card will save you a lot of money in interest payments.

Awards & Recognition

Best Low Interest Credit Card

2026

Pros & Cons

Pros

Low annual fee
Lower interest rates
Low interest welcome bonus
first-year fee rebate

Cons

No rewards

Card Details

Rewards

Get a low, fixed annual interest rate of 12.99% on purchases, cash advances including balance transfers.¹ No surprises.
Your RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option card includes purchase security and extended warranty insurance coverage⁴.
Get special partner offers from brands like Petro Canada, Rexall and DoorDash.

Insurance

Coverage

Purchase Protection
90 days
Extended Warranty
Doubled Up to 1 year

Benefits

Details

Extra points
50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall
Gas Discount
save 3¢/L on fuel and always earn 20% more Petro-Points at Petro-Canada and 20% more Avion points at Petro-Canada
Discount
Get a 6-month complimentary DashPass subscription — a value of almost $60. Plus, enjoy unlimited deliveries when $0 delivery fees on orders of $15 or more when you pay with your eligible RBC credit card.

Eligibility

Credit Score
Good
Annual Income
N/A

RBC Enhanced Savings

RBC High Interest eSavings

Chequing

RBC Advantage Banking Account

RBC Advantage Banking Account for Students

RBC Day to Day Banking Account

RBC Signature No Limit Banking account

RBC VIP Banking Account

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