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Tangerine Review 2026: Chequing and Savings

Lauren Brown
Kevin Shahnazari

Written by Lauren Brown,

Edited by Kevin Shahnazari

Last updated on September 28, 2026

Fact Checked

FinlyWealth rating

🏅

4.4

Best for:

Tangerine is best suited for Canadians who want low-cost digital banking and competitive cashback rewards.

Tangerine Bank logo
Open account

on Tangerine Bank's website

Overview


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.

Pros

  • No fee chequing account with unlimited transactions
  • Minimum balance not required for savings or chequing accounts
  • Competitive no-annual-fee credit cards
  • Attractive promotional rates for eligible customers
  • Backed by Scotiabank, making it more reliable than standalone digital banks
  • Free access to over 3,500 Scotiabank ABMs in Canada and 44,000 international machines through Scotiabank’s Global ATM Alliance

Cons

  • No traditional branch network or in-person service
  • Ongoing savings rates are relatively lower than competing products from other digital banks
  • Narrow product lineup compared to the major banks
  • Mixed customer service reviews
  • Limited premium rewards

Product Reviews


Savings Accounts

Welcome Bonus

Earn 4.50% for 5 months


Regular Interest

0.3%


Monthly Fee

$0

Tangerine’s Savings Account gives Canadians a low-cost account that pays interest on every dollar. Promotional savings offers can also provide an added bonus (if you qualify).  The account is more accessible than some options from competitors as it does not charge a monthly fee and has no minimum balance requirement. 


The account’s main drawback is its ongoing interest rate, which is modest compared to some of the strongest digital high-interest options. For that reason, the Savings Account is best for customers who value no monthly fees and easy transfers within Tangerine’s digital platform. It may not, however, be the best choice for those who want to earn the highest available interest rates.

  • Earn a 4.50% Savings rate for up to 5 months2
  • Available to new clients who open an Eligible Savings Account and/or an Applicable Registered Savings Account within the first couple months of Client Number creation. Conditions apply.
  • Offer validity: July 28, 2026 to November 30, 2026

Great rate with no minimum balance

Grow your savings on every dollar in your Account.


No unfair fees or service charges

We simply don’t believe in unfair fees. So you won’t have to pay to save with us.


Reach your goals faster

A Tangerine Savings Account comes with tools to make it super simple to reach your goals.


Automate your savings

With an Automatic Savings Program, you can save without even thinking about it.

Chequing Accounts

Best for: No fee everyday banking

Welcome Bonus

Move your pay to earn $250. Terms and conditions apply.(1)


Regular Interest

Up to 0.1%


Monthly Fee

$0


Account Type

Chequing • Personal

The Tangerine No Fee Chequing Account is one of the strongest banking options for Canadians who want to avoid paying monthly account fees without giving up core banking features. With unlimited daily transactions, it comes without any minimum balance requirement and even pays a small tiered interest rate on balances.


For Canadians who don’t require branch access and are comfortable with a digital-first approach to banking, Tangerine provides a compelling option. Customers also have access to over 3,500 Scotiabank ABMs throughout Canada and over 44,000 ABMs worldwide6. This helps customers avoid one of the major weaknesses of online-only banks. The downside is that the bank doesn’t have the same in-person support as a full branch-based bank. Anyone who needs regular in-person service may prefer a traditional chequing account. Those who want simple, low-cost everyday banking through a digital bank will find that the Tangerine No Fee Chequing Account offers excellent value.

Move your pay to earn $2501

  1. Become a client: sign up in minutes on your phone and get ready to have simple banking at your fingertips.
  2. Open your Chequing Account: It’s the original no monthly fee digital bank Account, designed to uncomplicate your life.
  3. Switch your payroll deposits to earn $2501: Move your paycheques to your Tangerine Chequing Account for 2 consecutive months, and we’ll give you $250.

Offer validity: May 1, 2024 - October 31, 2026

No monthly Account fees with no minimum balance

You don’t have to keep a bunch of money in the Account just to avoid a fee. No monthly fee means no monthly fee at all.


Free Interac e-transfer® transactions

Send money securely within Canada, directly from your Account. And when you register for Autodeposit, any money sent to you via Interac e-Transfer is deposited into your Account automatically.


Shop with confidence

With Interac & Visa Debit Zero Liability protection, you’re protected from unauthorized purchases.


Unlimited number of daily transactions

This includes an unlimited number of debit purchases, bill payments, and pre-authorized transactions.

Account Fees

Monthly Fee

$0

eStatement

Included

Transactions

Transactions

Unlimited free

Interac e-Transfers

Unlimited free

ATM Fees

Own Network

$0

Canadian ATMs

$1.5

USA

$3

International

$3

International & Currency

Foreign Currency Conversion

2.5%

Other Fees

NSF (Non-sufficient Funds)

$10

Overdraft Interest

19% annually (if used)

Bank Draft

$10

Explore Tangerine credit cards

See our full guide to Tangerine's best credit cards.

Read guide

Customer Experience


3.5/5

Like most of the Canadian banks, Tangerine has polarizing comments from its customers. Common complaints are about the bank’s service, with one reviewer saying: “Tangerine customer service doesn't know what they are doing.”

Tangerine also receives criticism on its website, with users stating it “is SO SLOW and glitchy." But then it also has reviews saying the "website is dependable, user-friendly." Despite the array of comments, the bank still came in at number 4 on Surviscor’s 2025 Consumer Mobile Banking Rankings as the “best among branchless banks.”

Rating Methodology


How We Rate Tangerine Bank

Our ratings are based on a comprehensive evaluation of each financial institution across multiple categories. We assess the quality and competitiveness of their products, fees, interest rates, customer experience, and overall value proposition.

Overall Rating

A weighted average reflecting the institution's performance across all evaluated categories.

Product Offerings

Evaluates the breadth and quality of available products including credit cards, savings accounts, and chequing accounts.

Fees & Rates

Compares monthly fees, interest rates, and fee waiver options against industry standards.

Customer Experience

Assesses the quality of customer support, digital banking tools, and overall user experience.

Rating Scale: All ratings are on a scale of 0 to 5, where 5 represents exceptional performance and 0 represents significant concerns. Ratings are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect changes in products, pricing, and services.

Frequently Asked Questions


Yes. Tangerine is a real Canadian bank and a wholly owned subsidiary of Scotiabank. It operates as a digital bank which means that customers manage their accounts online or through the bank’s mobile app. The bank does not offer a traditional branch network though.

Tangerine can be better for those customers who want no-fee digital banking and simple online management. Other customers who prefer in-person service and a broader ecosystem, including complex financial advice, may benefit more from a traditional bank.

Tangerine does not charge monthly fees on either its Chequing Account or its Savings Account.

Compare Tangerine with other banks


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