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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) vs Tangerine Bank
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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Tangerine Bank edges ahead on our overall rating (4.4 vs 4.1), 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.
Tangerine Bank, or Tangerine as it’s known, is a subsidiary of Scotiabank, formerly part of ING Direct. Operating with its own coverage from the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC), Tangerine has a sound reputation. Forbes even ranked the institution as number one in Canada on its list of the World’s Best Banks 2026 for two consecutive years.
The institution has a strong lineup for a digital bank, offering no-fee chequing and savings accounts as well as highly rated credit cards. Tangerine also provides lending services to its customers with mortgages, HELOCs, and lines of credit, and even has business banking, though it’s not a complete offering.
Unlike the major Canadian banks, many of its premium services come from partners or the Scotiabank network, rather than Tangerine itself. For example, the bank has insurance through its partner Sonnet Insurance and free ABM access through Scotiabank and its Global ATM Alliance. Tangerine does, however, have an in-house offering of mortgages and lending services.
Top chequing accounts
Top savings account
Top credit card
All products offered
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