Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) vs Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank)

• 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)

• $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

•  No monthly account fee*
• New clients earn more Scene+^™️points and rewards with the StudentBanking Bundle
• Ongoing $40 annual fee rebate on select credit cards (with $15,000 minimum annual spend)
• Unlimited debit and Interac e-transfer transactions 
• 1 free ATM withdrawal in Canada a month
• Earn points on everyday purchases with the Scene+™ program
• Free trades on all eligible commissionable trades with Scotia iTRADE®
• No monthly account fee on aScotia® U.S. Dollar Daily Interest Account
• Shell benefits 
• Rates, fees and other information are effective as of July 2, 2026. Subject to change.

Eligibility: 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.

• 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