ATB Financial vs Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
A side-by-side comparison of ratings, customer experience, products, fees, and pros & cons to help you choose the right bank.
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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) 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
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.
Known as CIBC, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce sits among the biggest banks in Canada. Customers seeking full-service banking can access a range of banking, borrowing and investing options. Its product lineup is comparable to the other major banks, though some of its savings rates and fees are less competitive.
CIBC’s banking includes accounts for students, seniors, foreign workers, and newcomers to Canada. The CIBC Smart Account is one of its core everyday banking products and comes with a monthly fee rebate when customers maintain the minimum balance. While it may appeal to those who qualify, other customers might find more value elsewhere.
The bank has a wide selection of credit cards including those for cash back, travel, Aeroplan, Aventura and Costco. Its borrowing options are also comprehensive including mortgages, personal loans, lines of credit and home equity borrowing. CIBC’s product lineup as well as its highly rated online and mobile banking tools make the bank a well-rounded choice for Canadians looking to build a banking relationship with a single institution.
Overall rating
4.0
4.1
Customer experience
3.3
3.1
Best for
ATB Financial works best for Albertans who want a full-service banking relationship within a regional institution.
CIBC is best for Canadians looking for a traditional banking experience with a broad range of products. It may be especially appealing for customers who value a strong mobile banking experience but still want the option to visit a branch when needed.
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
Broad product lineup for both banking and investing options as well as borrowing
Strong credit card selection
Fee rebates available for eligible accounts
Highly rated mobile banking tools
Access to US dollar and cross-border banking
Cons
Monthly account fees are high for customers who do not qualify for fee rebates
Lower relative savings rates compared to many online banks
Mixed customer reviews surrounding service wait times and issue resolution
Few no-fee banking options
Top chequing accounts
on ATB's website
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Monthly Fee
$0
Account Type
Chequing • Personal
- 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
4 Our rating
on ATB's website
Welcome Bonus
Earn up to $900* for new customers
Monthly Fee
$24.95 (waivable)
Account Type
Chequing • Personal
- 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.*
- $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
3.9 Our rating
on CIBC's website
Welcome Bonus
Bundle to earn up to $850†,‡ in value
Regular Interest
Up to 0%
Monthly Fee
$16.95 (waivable)
Account Type
Chequing • Personal
Step 1: Open a CIBC Smart Account and set up one recurring direct deposit for a minimum of $500 within two months. The direct deposit should be from your employer, the government or a pension.
Step 2: Get $500 with your Smart Account plus as much as $350 with a CIBC Dividend Visa Infinite Card with qualifying actions†,‡ Earn 10% cashback in an amount up to $200 on net purchases of up to $2,000‡. Earn $50 in a cashback bonus by setting up your first pre-authorized payment.
- Tiered banking depending on your eligible CIBC balance
- Fee waiver for up to 3 accounts depending on your tier1,2
- Unlimited transactions5
- No fee for Interac e-Transfers6
- Annual fee credit card rebate for higher tiers
- US ATMs within the Plus™ or Visa™ network: $3 + 2.5%
- US ATM network charge outside of the Plus™ or Visa™ network: $5 + 2.5%
- Rebate on one or more non-CIBC ATM withdrawal fee each month depending on your tier8,9
Account Fees
Monthly Fee
$16.95
eStatement
Included
ATM Fees
Own Network
$0
Canadian ATMs
$2
International
$5
on CIBC's website
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Regular Interest
Up to 0%
Monthly Fee
$4
Account Type
Chequing • Personal
- 18 transactions1, 2 included per month with an additional charge of $1.25 thereafter
- No fee for Interac e-Transfers2
- Receive alerts with CIBC Smart Balance Alert™, 4
- US ATMs within the Plus™ or Visa™ network: $3 + 2.5%
- Outside Canada and the Plus™ or Visa™ ATM network: $5 + 2.5%
Account Fees
Monthly Fee
$4
eStatement
Included
ATM Fees
Own Network
$0
Canadian ATMs
$2
International
$5
Top savings account
2.55 Our rating
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
Eligible clients can get a total interest rate of 4.60%* during their first 90 days from a special bonus of 4.10%.
- 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
on CIBC's website
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Regular Interest
Up to 0.6%
Monthly Fee
$0
- Earn regular interest1 on your entire balance plus Smart Interest if you save at least $200 during the month2
- No monthly fee
- $5 fee per transaction3 including debit purchases and withdrawals at CIBC
- US ATMs within the Plus™ or Visa™ network: $3 + 2.5%
- Outside Canada and the Plus™ or Visa™ ATM network: $5 + 2.5%
Top credit card
on ATB's website
Welcome Bonus
40,000 points
Annual Fee
$120 $0
Interest Rates
20.99% / 22.99%
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
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
- High rewards
- Extensive Coverage
- Airport lounge access
- first-year fee rebate
Cons
- Low point value
- Alberta residents only
- High income requirement
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
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Car Rental Damage & Theft
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Car Rental Personal Effects
$1,000
Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)
22 days
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$300,000
Flight Delay
$500Baggage Delay
$500
Trip Cancellation
$1,000
Trip Interruption
$1,000
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$1,000
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$1,000Personal 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 GoodAnnual Income
$80,000 personal or $150,000 household
on CIBC's website
Welcome Bonus
Balance transfer 0% interest for up to 10 months with a 1% transfer fee‡
Rewards Rate
No Rewards
Annual Fee
See Rates
Interest Rates
13.99% / 13.99%
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE
4/5
A nice low rate card for everyday spending.
Pros
- Low interest rates
- Balance transfer welcome bonus
Cons
- No rewards
- Missing standard coverage categories
Rewards
No rewards earned on this card
Insurance
Coverage
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$100,000
Benefits
Details
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Gas Discount†
Save up to 10 cents per litre on gas at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations with CIBC and Journie Rewards.
Discount††
Free Skip+ membership, welcome voucher, and monthly voucher available. Conditions apply.
Eligibility
Credit Score
GoodAnnual Income
N/A
All products offered
17 products
Credit cards
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card
CIBC Aventura® Gold Visa* Card
CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card
CIBC Aventura® Visa Infinite* Card
CIBC Aventura® Visa* Card
CIBC Aventura® Visa* Card for Business
CIBC bizline® Visa* Card
CIBC Costco Mastercard
CIBC Dividend Platinum® Visa* Card
CIBC Dividend® Visa Infinite* Card
CIBC Dividend® Visa* Card
CIBC Select Visa* Card