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Scotia iTRADE, the online brokerage arm of Scotiabank, offers self-directed investors a reliable platform with access to stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and more. Backed by one of Canada’s largest banks, it combines robust research tools, strong security, and seamless integration with Scotiabank accounts—making it a solid choice for investors who want control and confidence in their trading.
Our Rating
4/5
Institution
Scotiabank
Welcome Offer
- Enjoy commission free ETFs and other ways to save2
- Get up to 20 free stock and ETF trades by opening a Scotia iTRADE and an eligible Scotiabank® account3
- Get access to Scotiabank's in-depth research capabilities
- Pay bills, right from your online brokerage account
- Manage and transfer funds between your Scotia iTRADE online brokerage account and Scotiabank® bank accounts.
- Set-up and make future dated transactions
- Access easy fund transfers (CAD and USD) between any bank account in Canada and Scotia iTRADE.
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Sept 1, 2025. Subject to change.
Rates and Fees
Trading Commissions
- Equities (Canadian & U.S. stocks, ETFs)
- Standard: $9.99 per online trade
- Active Trader: $4.99 per trade (150+ commission-generating trades/quarter)
- Telephone-assisted trades: +$65 per trade
- U.S. extended-hours: Equity commission + $0.005 per share ECN fee
- Options
- Standard: $9.99 base + $1.25 per contract
- Active Trader: $4.99 base + $1.25 per contract (150+ trades/quarter)
- Telephone-assisted: +$65 per trade
Mutual Funds & Commission-Free ETFs
- Mutual Funds (online Trades): $9.99 per trade; telephone-assisted +$65
- Money Market Funds: $0 commission
- Commission-Free ETFs: Over 100 US & Canadian ETFs with $0 commission
Fixed Income & Structured Product Fees
- Fixed-Income (secondary market): $1 per $1,000 face value (min $24.99, max $250); +$65 telephone-assisted
- Exchange-Traded Debentures: Same fee structure
- International trades: Minimum $250 per trade, varies by market
- Gold/Silver/Platinum certificates: USD $39.95 min
Account Service Fees
- Account transfer in/out: No fee in, $150 per transfer out
- Account closure: No fee
- Certificate deposit: $100 each; withdrawal: $100 standard / $300 rush; safekeeping: $50/month
- Registered account admin (RSP, RIF, LIRA, LIF):
- Waived if ≥ $25,000 in assets or ≥12 commissionable trades/year; else $100/year
- TFSA: No fee
- RESP: No fee if total ≥ $15,000; else $25/year
- U.S.-Friendly RESP: $30/quarter/account
Document & Transaction Fees
- Paper statement: $3 each
- Paper trade confirmation: $2 each
- DRS/certificate rush processing: See certificate fees above
- Foreign exchange: Markup on FX conversions
Other Fees & Notes
- SEC fees apply to U.S. sell transactions (approx. $20.70 per $1M sold)
- Low-activity / unclaimed account fees apply quarterly if conditions unmet
- Interest rates on margin or cash balances subject to change; currency conversion terms in Disclosure docs
Savings & Discounts Opportunities
- Commission waivers:
- Active Traders (150+ trades/quarter): $4.99 equity/options rate
- Scotia Wealth clients (Platinum+ iClub): Access to tools & annual admin-fee waivers
- Promotions:
- 10–20 free trades via StartRight or referral programs
Eligibility
- Must be a Canadian resident
- Must be the age of majority in your province or territory (18 or 19)
- Must have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Must provide government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport)
- Non-Scotiabank clients may need a void cheque to link a Canadian bank account
- Application can be completed online, by phone, or at a Scotiabank branch
- Supports personal (cash, margin, joint) and registered (RRSP, TFSA, FHSA, RESP, etc.) accounts
- Corporate/trust accounts require additional documentation and support
Features & Description
🏛️ What Is Scotia iTRADE?
Scotia iTRADE is a self-directed online brokerage platform offered by Scotiabank. It provides Canadian investors with access to a wide range of investment products, robust research tools, and full account integration with other Scotiabank services. It’s well-suited for both beginner and experienced investors looking for a secure, bank-backed trading platform.
📈 Investment Products
- Stocks & ETFs (Canadian & U.S.)
- Options (with strategy support)
- Mutual Funds
- Fixed Income (Bonds, GICs, Debentures)
- Commission-Free ETFs (100+ eligible ETFs)
- IPOs & New Issues (when available)
- Precious Metals (Gold, Silver, Platinum certificates)
🧾 Account Types Offered
- Cash & Margin Accounts
- Registered Accounts: TFSA, RRSP, Spousal RRSP, RESP, FHSA, RRIF, LIF, LIRA
- Joint & Non-Personal Accounts: Corporate, Trust, and Estate
💻 Platform & Tools
- Web and mobile platforms with real-time data
- Advanced screeners for stocks and ETFs
- Charting & technical analysis tools
- Options strategy builder
- Integrated goal planners and portfolio reports
- Access to research from Morningstar, Thomson Reuters, and Scotiabank
💵 Pricing Snapshot
- Equity trades: $9.99 (standard), $4.99 (active traders: 150+ trades/quarter)
- Options: Same base fee + $1.25/contract
- Mutual funds: $9.99 per trade
- Commission-free ETFs: 100+ with no trading fees
- Account fees: TFSA/RRSP fees may apply unless waived by balance/activity
✅ Key Features
- Backed by Scotiabank’s security & infrastructure
- Supports USD accounts for registered plans
- Access to educational webinars and tutorials
- Offers promotions (e.g. free trades, cash bonuses)
- Fully integrated with Scotiabank accounts for easy fund transfers
Legal
1 To qualify for commissions of $4.99 flat per Canadian or US equities trade and $4.99 + $1.25/contract for each options trade, you must, during the immediately preceding calendar quarter, execute at least 150 commission-generating equity or options trades. Accounts with less than 150 commission-generating trades within a calendar quarter will qualify for commissions of $9.99 flat per Canadian or US equities trade and $9.99 + $1.25/contract for each options trade. Commission-generating trades are buys and sells of: Equities, Options, Mutual Funds subject to commissions and Fixed Income instruments. Buys and Sells of GICs, ETFs which do not generate a commission, Canada Savings Bonds and Provincial Savings Bonds are examples of trades that are not commission-generating. You must re-qualify each calendar quarter. New qualification status will be effective on the second business day of the calendar quarter. Fees for US transactions are charged in US dollars.
2 Refers to Scotia iTRADE's brokerage commission for online trade execution only. Does not take into account fees, charges, expenses or commissions imposed by the fund companies, all of which can be associated with ETF investments. You should carefully consider the fund's investment objectives, risks, fees, charges, expenses and commissions before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. In order to qualify for our "commission-free ETFs" offer ("Eligible ETFs") trades of Eligible ETFs must be placed online or by phone via Teletrader. You will be charged our regular equity commission depending on the pricing tier for which you qualify (see online fee schedule) on the sale of any Eligible ETFs held for less than 1 business day. Add $65.00 for telephone representative-assisted trades. Scotia iTRADE reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time without notice.
Please note that this list of Eligible ETFs is subject to change without notice. The links to the ETF issuers’ websites are provided as a convenience only and are not to be construed as investment advice or as a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any particular security or to follow any particular investment strategy. No ETF product, or any information provided by or available through any ETF provider, or through any of their respective websites, has been endorsed, validated or approved by Scotia Capital Inc. or its affiliates, and neither Scotia Capital Inc. nor any of its affiliates is responsible or liable therefore, or for any third-party products, services, opinions, information or prospectus content of any ETF providers. Scotia iTRADE does not provide investment advice or recommendations, and you are responsible for your own investment decisions.
3 Conditions apply. For full details visit: www.scotiaitrade.com/waystosave.
Scotia iTRADE® (Order-Execution Only) is a division of Scotia Capital Inc. (“SCI”). SCI is regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization and is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Scotia iTRADE does not provide investment advice or recommendations and investors are responsible for their own investment decisions.
®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under license.