National Bank of Canada review
Updated September 28, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
National Bank of Canada suits people in Canada who want a bank counter, joint accounts and easy-access savings from an established bank, though the everyday account is not the cheapest. It dates back to 1859, and its chequing plan lists a monthly fee of CAD 15.95 with a no monthly fee option also available.
Key facts
- Best for
- People in Canada who want a full bank account with easy-access savings and joint account options.
- Monthly fee
- CA$15.95↗
- Currencies
- 31↗
- Legal entity
- National Bank of Canada↗
- Headquarters
- Canada↗
- Founded
- 1859↗
- Support channels
- Phone, Chat, Help-centre↗
- Audience
- Expats, Students
- Pricing model
- No monthly fee
- Features
- Joint account
- Official website
- nbc.ca
Pros and cons
Pros
- Currencies covered run to 31, above the 5 typical across the site
- A no monthly fee model is available, which is how 91.7% of brands on the site operate
- Savings stay accessible at any time while paying a variable rate of 0.55%
- Support covers phone, chat and help centre
Cons
- The everyday chequing account charges a monthly fee of CAD 15.95
- The headline rate of 0.55% sits well below the 3% seen across the site
- Support runs on phone, chat and help centre only
Who it suits
- People living in Canada who want bank branches alongside online service
- Students and expats, the groups this bank names as its audience
- Anyone holding savings they need at any time without a notice period
Who should look elsewhere
- People who want a fee free everyday account and will not use a no monthly fee plan, where PayPal Colombia and Skrill charge $0 and €0
- Anyone chasing a high headline rate, since 0.55% is a low earner next to eToro
Where it sits among rivals
On currency reach, National Bank of Canada covers 31 currencies and ranks 31 of 379 brands on the site, above the 9 typical of the everyday accounts group. On monthly fee it ranks 480 of 500, and the listed fee of CAD 15.95 is well clear of the €449 ceiling seen here.
Who runs it
The account is provided by National Bank of Canada, headquartered in Canada and established in 1859. It is built for a Canadian base rather than a cross-border audience, with expats and students named among the people it serves. Support runs on phone, chat and help centre, and the legal entity name matches the brand on the card.
How National Bank of Canada compares
9.2 vs 8.7
9.2 vs 8.6
9.2 vs 8.0
9.2 vs 8.9Its monthly fee of £0 leaves more room for balances than CAD 15.95, though the savings side here pays 0.55%.
9.2 vs 9.1
9.2 vs 9.2
9.2 vs 8.7
9.2 vs 8.7
9.2 vs 8.7
9.2 vs 9.0Charges a monthly fee of €0 and needs no Canadian branch network for basic account keeping.
9.2 vs 8.7
9.2 vs 9.5
9.2 vs 9.4
9.2 vs 9.3
9.2 vs 9.2
9.2 vs 9.2
9.2 vs 9.2
9.2 vs 9.2
9.2 vs 9.2
9.2 vs 9.2
9.2 vs 9.1
9.2 vs 9.0
9.2 vs 9.0
9.2 vs 8.9
9.2 vs 8.9- 9.2 vs 8.9
9.2 vs 8.7
9.2 vs 8.5
9.2 vs 8.5
9.2 vs 8.5
9.2 vs 8.4
9.2 vs 8.3
9.2 vs 8.2
9.2 vs 8.1- 9.2 vs 8.1
9.2 vs 8.0
9.2 vs 8.0
9.2 vs 8.0
9.2 vs 9.1
Where National Bank of Canada is available
- Available
- Canada
Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Is there a monthly fee on the everyday account?+
The listed chequing plan charges a monthly fee of CAD 15.95. A no monthly fee model is also available, so the charge depends on which plan is chosen. Compare that with €0 and $0 elsewhere on this page.
What rate do I get on savings?+
The headline rate is 0.55% and it is variable, so it can move rather than stay locked. The account is easy-access, with Savings available at any time, so you are not tying money away for a fixed term. The minimum deposit is CAD 0.
Can I hold more than one currency?+
Currency coverage reaches 31 currencies, which is above the 5 median across the site. That makes it a reasonable pick if your income or bills span several currencies. Local account details are part of what this bank offers.
Who is the account aimed at?+
The bank names expats and students among the audiences it serves, which is unusual for a Canadian bank. A joint account is available too, so two people can hold it together. It suits people already living and banking in Canada.
How do I get help if something goes wrong?+
Support runs on phone, chat and help centre, so you can reach the bank by phone, chat or the help centre. Phone and chat are covered across most of the brands on the site, at 79.5% and 40% respectively.
Can I open an account from outside Canada?+
This is a Canadian bank, headquartered in Canada and run by National Bank of Canada since 1859. It is built for a Canadian customer base rather than remote onboarding from abroad. If you need a borderless account, a wallet or e-money option may suit better.
Sources
- nbc.ca/about-us.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded, Headquarters
“We were founded in 1859 by a group of Quebec City businessmen”
- nbc.ca/personal.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Legal entity
“(c) NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA. All rights reserved 2026.”
- nbc.ca/personal/accounts.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Support channels
“Chat with us ... Get help in real time with our Facebook Messenger chat option ... Visit our Help centre ... 1-888-622-2783”
- nbc.ca/personal/accounts/chequing.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Audience, Features, Pricing model, Monthly fee
“Offer for newcomers ... Open a bank account and enjoy many benefits depending on your field of study”
- nbc.ca/personal/savings-investments/accounts/high-interes... checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Access terms, Account kind, Rate type
“You can access your savings at any time”
- nbc.ca/rates/bank-account-rates.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Headline rate, Minimum deposit
“High Interest Savings Account $0 and + 0.550 - Rate as of 2026-09-25”
- nbc.ca/rates/exchange-rates.html checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Currencies
“Major currencies available online and in-branch ... Other currencies”
Compiled from 7 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Licence type, Deposit protection, Currency conversion fee.
Related by the facts
National Bank of Canada
People in Canada who want a full bank account with easy-access savings and joint account options.