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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) vs Meridian Credit Union
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 3.9), but the right pick depends on which products and fees matter most to you.
Overview
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.
Meridian Credit Union is the largest credit union in Ontario, describing itself as number three in size out of credit unions in Canada. The institution operates as a not-for-profit with 100% member ownership. Given its size, Meridian has a larger range of products compared to many other credit unions in the country. It does, however, lack some higher end services like private banking and a full insurance offering with universal life coverage. Both of which you can find through a major Canadian bank.
Meridian has a credit card selection with cashback, travel rewards, and USD cards. They exclusively offer Visa, with no option for Mastercard or American Express. Monthly banking fees come in below those of the biggest banks in Canada, with its most basic account about a dollar less per month in comparison. Digital banks, however, tend to have an edge with account fees. As is the same with interest rates. Meridian’s high-interest savings rates can be more competitive than some traditional bank savings accounts, though they fall behind some other Canadian credit unions and digital institutions.
Members of Meridian have access to investment accounts through the credit union and through Qtrade Direct Investing. The financial institution does not have its own full-service brokerage. They do provide financial planning, which isn’t always the case with credit unions.
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