ATB Financial vs Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank)

• 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

• $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

• You are eligible for the Preferred Package for Students and Youth (chequing account) if you are under 25 years of age or are enrolled full-time in a university, community college, or another recognized post-secondary institution in Canada or the United States. You will be required to confirm your student status by providing proof of enrollment.
• No monthly account fee*, unlimited debit and Interac e-transfer transactions
• Earn points on everyday purchases with the Scene+™ program
• Free trades for students and youth with Scotia iTRADE
• Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2026. Subject to change.

• Up to $2,300 in first year value¹ when banking with Scotiabank, including up to $580 in value with the StartRight^® Program².
• Waive the monthly account fee for the first year⁵ when you open a Preferred Package chequing account.
• 24/7 banking through the Scotia app, phone, or chatbot, plus over 900 branches across Canada offering help in more than 50 languages.
• Collect rewards on everyday purchases with a Scene+ credit or debit card⁶ and get rewarded with travel, groceries, and more.
• Leverage your credit history from home to apply for a higher credit limit on your Scotia credit card³ with Nova Credit⁴.

How to Qualify for StartRight^®

Qualifications

• Canadian permanent resident for five years or less
• International student
• Foreign worker

Required Documentation

Gather these documents prior to applying:

Permanent Resident

• Resident card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence
• Foreign passport or Canadian government-issued photo ID, like your driver's license

Foreign Worker

• Work permit
• Foreign passport or Canadian government-issued photo ID, like your driver's license
• If applying for a credit card, you'll also need a letter from your Canadian employer confirming your annual income

International Student

• Study Permit (IMM 1442) or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
• One additional piece of government photo ID such as your passport or Canadian driver’s licence
• Proof of enrollment from your Canadian Educational Institution such as your Student ID card or your course timetable