Newcomers to BC
You could save over $280¹ with the Newcomer Banking Plan.
Start your financial journey in Canada by opening a chequing account and an enviro™ Visa* credit card with Vancity — we’re here to help you settle in with confidence.
Select a chequing account as part of your Newcomer Banking Package. These offers are only available when you meet us by appointment.
Essential +
Everything in the Essential account plus:
- Unlimited Everyday Transactions¤
- Free first cheque order and first bank draft
- Annual fee rebate up to $150 for the first year on select credit cards†
No monthly fee with balance of $3,000.⁵
You may be eligible if you’ve come to Canada within the past 5 years and are at least 19 years old and a resident of BC. See terms & conditions for full details on this offer.
Get more as a member.
As a Vancity member, you’ll also get great member perks and discounts from our business members and community partners
Looking for more?
We have what you need. Vancity is a full service, values-based, financial institution offering personal banking, investments, loans, mortgages and business banking solutions.
Tell us where you’re in your journey, and we’ll show you the way:
Exchange currency
Learn about banking in Canada
Learn about credit cards and credit score
Wire transfers
Trademark of Visa Int., used under license
¹ The Vancity Essential chequing account includes 25 free Everyday Transactions¤ per month, free Interact e-Transfers ®, online bill payments, mobile cheque deposits, and pre-authorized payments. After the first 24 months of account opening, a monthly fee of $9.75 applies, or enjoy no monthly fee with a $1,500 minimum daily closing balance in the account. For a full list of fees, see the Personal Service Charge Bulletin.
² The Vancity Essential Plus chequing account includes unlimited Everyday Transactions¤ and Interac e-Transfers ®. Eligible members will receive a monthly rebate of $9.75 if a monthly fee was paid. After the first 24 months of account opening, a monthly fee of $14.75 applies, or enjoy no monthly fee with a $3,000 minimum daily closing balance in the account. For a full list of fees, see the Personal Service Charge Bulletin.
³ The Vancity Total chequing account includes unlimited Everyday Transactions¤ and Interac e-Transfers ®, in addition to annual fee rebate up to $150 on select rewards credit cards++ and a $5 discount on safety deposit box annual rental fee. Eligible members will receive a monthly rebate of $9.75 if a monthly fee was paid. After the first 24 months of account opening, a monthly fee of $25.75 applies, or enjoy no monthly fee with a $6,000 minimum daily closing balance in the account. For a full list of fees, see the Personal Service Charge Bulletin.
You must retain a minimum of $1,500.00 in your Vancity Essential account at all times for the full calendar month.
You must retain a minimum of $1,500.00 in your Vancity Essential Plus Account at all times for the full calendar month.
You must retain a minimum of $6,000.00 in your Vancity Total Chequing Account at all times for the full calendar month.
Everyday transactions are all of these:
- Everyday Cheque and Preauthorized Payment Transactions are cheque transactions and preauthorized payments (PADs) from Vancity Accounts.
- Everyday Online and Mobile Transactions are bill payments, cheque deposit using Vancity Mobile Deposit™, transfers from Vancity Accounts made online using a computer, mobile phone, Mobile Device or using Vancity’s automated Telephone Banking service.
- Everyday In-Person Transactions are Account withdrawals, bill payments, transfers to or from Vancity Accounts conducted person-to-person, over the phone with our branch staff or Member Service Centre staff.
- Everyday Debit Card Transactions are debit card purchases or ATM cash withdrawals or ATM transfers from Accounts.
- Everyday Transaction fees are calculated and charged at month-end for Vancity’s chequing and savings products, with the exception of Jumpstart High Interest where the fees are incurred immediately when the transaction is made. Overdraft interest, not covered by a Creditline line of credit or a Personaline line of credit, accrues immediately and will be calculated and payable at month-end.
Additional Vancity and third-party fees will apply for services not classified as Everyday Transactions and, in certain circumstances, include fees for: a) ATM network fees if you use any Canadian ATM that is not an Exchange® ATM or ACCULINK® ATM. b) ATM network fees if you use a US/international ATM. c) INTERAC® e-Transfers that are subject to a fee. d) Fees for additional services that you choose from Vancity.
You may also be charged third-party fees including: e) A surcharge (convenience fee, and/or a foreign exchange conversion fee) by the ATM or POS operator and all associated networks engaged for the ATM or POS Transactions. f) Merchant fees when you use your debit card to pay for purchases. g) Fees charged by your mobile phone service provider; please request details from your service provider.
For a full list of fees, see the Personal Service Charge Bulletin.
† Approval for a Vancity Visa Account is subject to credit approval, and to meeting minimum income and/or assets under management requirements. Must be a British Columbia resident and at least 19 years old. For any application, we will obtain your credit bureau report to confirm eligibility for a Vancity Visa Account. You must be the Primary/First-Named Vancity Essential Plus Chequing Account Holder and the Primary Cardholder of an eligible Vancity Visa Account to receive a one-time Visa Annual Fee Rebate on an eligible card for the first year as indicated below: a) Partial Annual Fee rebate of $150 for the Primary Cardholder on enviro™ Visa Infinite Privilege* card, or b) Full Annual Fee rebate on enviro™ Visa Infinite* card, enviro™ Visa Gold card, enviro™ Visa Classic card with Low Interest Rate plus Vancity Rewards or enviro™ Visa Gold card with Low Interest Rate plus Vancity Rewards. Your Vancity Essential Plus Chequing Account must be open and in good standing at the time the Visa Annual Fee is charged to receive the rebate. The Visa Annual Fee Rebate will not apply to Authorized User(s) on the Visa Account. Vancity Essential Plus Chequing Account Holders can receive one Visa Annual Fee Rebate per Vancity banking relationship. By receiving this rebate, you will not be eligible for additional Visa Annual Fee Rebates or welcome offers. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise specified. If you have more than one Vancity Visa Account, the Visa Annual Fee Rebate will be applied to the card with the highest Visa Annual Fee, on the first Visa Annual Fee charged after the Vancity Essential Plus Chequing Account is opened. The Visa Annual Fee Rebate will be credited to the Vancity Essential Plus Chequing Account after the Visa Annual Fee is billed to the Vancity Visa Account. May take up to 3 Visa statement cycles to appear. All other fees and charges applicable to the Vancity Visa Account will continue to apply. Vancity Annual Fee Rebate may change or be canceled at any time without notice.
†† Approval for a Vancity Visa Account is subject to credit approval, and to meeting minimum income and/or assets under management requirements. Must be a British Columbia resident and at least 19 years old. For any application, we will obtain your credit bureau report to confirm eligibility for a Vancity Visa Account.
You must be the Primary/First-Named Vancity Total Chequing Account Holder and the Primary Cardholder of an eligible Vancity Visa Account to receive a Visa Annual Fee Rebate on an eligible card as indicated below: a) Partial Annual Fee rebate of $150 for the Primary Cardholder on enviro™ Visa Infinite Privilege* card, or b) Full Annual Fee rebate on enviro™ Visa Infinite* card, enviro™ Visa Gold card, enviro™ Visa Classic card with Low Interest Rate plus Vancity Rewards or enviro™ Visa Gold card with Low Interest Rate plus Vancity Rewards.
Your Vancity Total Chequing Account must be open and in good standing at the time the Visa Annual Fee is charged to receive the rebate. The Visa Annual Fee Rebate will not apply to Authorized User(s) on the Visa Account. The Visa Annual Fee Rebate will occur each year so long as you remain a Primary/First-Named Vancity Total Chequing Account Holder and Vancity Visa Account Primary Cardholder in good standing. Vancity Total Chequing Account Holders can receive one Visa Annual Fee Rebate per Vancity banking relationship. By receiving this rebate, you will not be eligible for additional Visa Annual Fee Rebates or welcome offers. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise specified. If you have more than one Vancity Visa Account, the Visa Annual Fee Rebate will be applied to the card with the highest Visa Annual Fee, on the first Visa Annual Fee charged after the Vancity Total Chequing Account is opened. The Visa Annual Fee Rebate will be credited to the Vancity Total Chequing Account after the Visa Annual Fee is billed to the Vancity Visa Account. May take up to 3 Visa statement cycles to appear. All other fees and charges applicable to the Vancity Visa Account will continue to apply. Vancity Annual Fee Rebate may change or be canceled at any time without notice.
Additional Vancity and third-party fees will apply for services not classified as Everyday Transactions and, in certain circumstances, include fees for: a) ATM network fees if you use any Canadian ATM that is not an Exchange® ATM or ACCULINK® ATM. b) ATM network fees if you use a US/international ATM. c) INTERAC® e-Transfers that are subject to a fee. d) Fees for additional services that you choose from Vancity.
You may also be charged third-party fees including: e) A surcharge (convenience fee, and/or a foreign exchange conversion fee) by the ATM or POS operator and all associated networks engaged for the ATM or POS Transactions. f) Merchant fees when you use your debit card to pay for purchases. g) Fees charged by your mobile phone service provider; please request details from your service provider.
§ Vancity ATM charges will be rebated the following day on debit transactions. Some third-party ATM operators may charge you a convenience fee. This is a third-party fee and will not be rebated.
For a full list of fees, see the Personal Service Charge Bulletin.
⁷ See terms and conditions for definitions and requirements of credit card applicants. Vancity may offer credit limits lower than $3,500, in its discretion, depending upon assessment of your application and evidence of income, assets and general credit worthiness provided, including but not limited to evidence of employment and income.
⁸ Canadian credit history is not a requirement. However, Vancity will obtain your Canadian credit bureau report to confirm eligibility and if you have a Canadian credit score it will be considered in assessing your eligibility for credit under this program.
⁹ See all credit card options. Business Visa cards are excluded from the Vancity Newcomer Banking Plan. The Newcomers to Canada Visa Card Program applies only to personal Visa Cards used for personal (non-business) expenditures. If you require a Visa for business use, please let us know and we can discuss other options that may be available to you.
¹⁰ Vancity membership required to obtain certain cash back rewards. Must have a Vancity deposit account to redeem for cash back. Additional terms and conditions apply.
¹¹ See Vancity Newcomer Banking Plan terms and conditions for information about becoming a Vancity member.
¹² Documentation may be required to support proof of income.