BANKING AND FINANCE IN CANADA
Smart steps to achieve financial
success in Canada!
BANKING AND FINANCE IN CANADA
Smart steps to achieve financial success in Canada!
Smart steps to achieve financial success in Canada!
WEBINARS
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FREE WEBINARS
Access Expertise & Insights
Join our free webinars to learn about banking in Canada. You’ll learn about important financial first steps to help you achieve your long-term financial goals
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BANKING IN CANADA
Find out how banking in Canada may be different from banking in your home country. You’ll learn about different banking products and their benefits, how to open an international bank account, and how to show proof of funds. Be sure to join this webinar to get the best financial advice and solutions for newcomers.
Managing Your Finances During Uncertain Times
The Canadian Job Market Outlook For Newcomers
Marc Desormeaux, Senior Economist at Scotiabank outlines his projections for Canada’s labour market, as well as answers questions about what this will mean for new Canadians as they look for employment.
Arrive in Canada Financially Prepared
Moving to Canada is a complicated process with many challenges and a lot of stress. Banking in a new country can seem like a daunting prospect too, but it doesn’t need to be. Register for our upcoming webinar to learn how to set up your finances in Canada the right way.
Open Your Scotiabank Startright Account
Join us as we meet with Wanning Luo, Manager of New to Canada Strategy at Scotiabank. Wanning discusses the details of opening a Scotiabank Startright Account.
Read about Money Matters
Get the financial information that you need. We’ll provide you with helpful information related to financial first steps, saving and investing, spending, and earning. With this information, you’ll be on the right path to reach your financial goals in Canada.
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Be Informed About Job Search and Industry Information
From following a 5-step framework to work in Canada to what it’s like to work in specific professions and industries, get the information you need. You’ll increase your knowledge and get helpful strategies to successfully resume your career in Canada..
Learn the Basics of Banking in Canada
While it can be fun to think about our dreams for the future, especially when moving to a new country, it’s also wise to keep in mind the practical, day-to-day considerations about money. This is particularly important for newcomers to Canada who face questions such...
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to clear my bank draft?
Cheques drawn on a financial institution’s branch located outside of Canada or the United States, maximum hold period of 30 business days (29 business days after the day of deposit). For these purposes, the term “business day” refers to regular weekdays only and excludes Saturdays, Sundays or statutory federal holidays. We may extend the maximum hold period if we have reasonable grounds to believe there may be illegal or fraudulent activity in relation to an account.
My husband, my two children and I are coming to B.C. and we’d like to plan our monthly budget in advance. As a family of four, what can we expect?
Your monthly budget and expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle and the province you choose to live in. Keep in mind that rent and food costs vary widely across Canada. Even within one city, rent varies greatly from one neighborhood to another. The following is a suggested budget for a family of four: Expenses Accommodation rental (two bedroom) $900 Heating (if extra) $75 Electricity $65 Laundry $35 Basic telephone $40 Medical insurance (in some provinces) $100 Television $40 Transportation (bus passes) $100 Entertainment $200 Food $600 Miscellaneous $200 Total: $2,355
If you eat out regularly, then expect to pay more than if you eat at home. Here are some typical prices you can expect to pay:
Fast foods: $5- $8 per person (per dish or for a combo meal of burger, fries and drink, for example)
Restaurant: $10 – $20 per person (depending on food and restaurant)
Groceries: $200 -$300 per month for a single person (depending on the individual needs)
I’ve been living in Toronto now for several years (I’m originally from Argentina) and I’ve been trying to build my credit, but I keep having problems. I have a couple of credit cards but I’m getting turned down when I apply for loans or other credit. What am I doing wrong?
The most obvious thing in building credit is paying all your bills on time –— this includes not just credit card bills, but phone and cable bills. But even if you pay your bills on time, this doesn’t guarantee that you are building good credit.
For instance, if you have department store credit cards and are making large purchases regularly, this can affect the way potential lenders view you.
Also, make sure your bank reports any credit transactions you have with them to the credit agency because some companies don’t — and that is one of the ways to boost your credit rating.
Another thing to be aware of is getting credit cards through your spouse. When I first came to Canada I made that mistake. Despite having leased a car in my name and having made all my payments on time, it did nothing to build my own credit history, because our credit card was under my wife’s name. The moral of this story is for you and your spouse to get separate credit cards.
Finally, check your credit report on a regular basis and contact the credit bureaus immediately if you see any errors. There can be a number of reasons for errors showing up on your credit report, such as bill payments not being recorded. Another more serious problem, however, could be fraudulent use of your credit cards or personal identification to access your assets and income, which unfortunately is a growing problem everywhere these days.
I’ve recently come to Canada and I’ve been trying to obtain a credit history, but I’m finding it’s difficult as a newcomer. What advice do you have?
Building your credit history in Canada as a newcomer is vital. First, and most obviously, you need to open a savings and chequing account at your local bank or credit union. This shows that you have money and are starting to establish roots.
If you have a larger sum of money to work with, the bank can hold a certain amount as security (a fixed deposit) and give you a credit card against that amount. For example, I negotiated with my bank and they eventually agreed to a $2,000 deposit (at first they wanted $3,000) and gave me a $1,000 credit card limit.
Another step you can take is to apply for a secured credit card. You can make a deposit upfront, possibly the same amount as your credit limit. You can start with a small amount and you can use it like a regular credit card to make purchases. When you make payments on time, you begin to build a good rating. If you default on your payments, the lender will use your security deposit to pay off your balance.
Additionally, many large Canadian banks and credit card companies offer newcomers cards with low limits to establish credit history. Some require an annual fee and some might have special offers that waive the annual fee for the first year.
It is important to find out whether your bank or other financial institution reports to the two nationwide credit bureaus, Equifax, and TransUnion. If they do not, then you will not be able to establish a credit history.
Building good credit takes time. If you use the card wisely and pay the balance in full each month, for example by paying your bills (mobile, internet, hydro) on time, you will begin to establish your history.
According to Transunion, applying for numerous cards all at once might damage your credit scores right from the start. Many hard credit inquiries indicate that you may be taking on too much debt and will have a lot of repayment responsibility and risk. Instead, apply for just one manageable card.
Examples of hard inquiries include a:
- Credit card company checking your credit after you applied for a card or a bank loan
- Company checking your credit before leasing you a car or before applying for a car loan
- Company checking your credit before purchasing a mobile phone plan
The key thing to remember here is that you should know when hard inquiries are about to happen. Your credit can’t be accessed for this purpose without you agreeing to it in writing.
Establishing a good credit history from the start can be beneficial for you later when you want to qualify for an auto loan or a mortgage.
Related Posts:
Building Credit History in Canada
Will my current credit rating apply in Canada?
If you’re still in your home country and planning to immigrate to Canada, it’s worth looking at developing a relationship with a global bank. Scotiabank, for example, has banking packages aimed at those looking to move to Canada.
Once you arrive in Canada, try to get a credit card quickly. If you’re meeting with a bank manager, bring any documents that show you have a good track record for paying your bills. Some banks have multilingual staff who can assess foreign documents.
If you’re turned down, ask about getting a secured card, where you give the issuer a deposit. It’s also a bit easier to qualify for cards from department stores such as The Bay and Canadian Tire, but be sure to pay off the balance each month, as these cards have very high interest rates.