Canadian Bank shopping... what the heck do I look for?

[Mucman]

I have no idea where to start with this but I just want to do some Canadian back research. I have been with CIBC my whole life because that's where my Mom put my account when I started my paper route when I was 10 .

Are all Canadian banks the same? How do you deposit cheques to an on-line only bank?

I am getting killed on my debit card use and I would like to lower that. I might stay with CIBC as well just to have a B&M bank to go to for other stuff (loans, mortages?).

As you can probably see I am not up on money stuff. I have purposely avoided business classes during school because I hate dealing with money, and I just want to work on computers

<edit>Learned how to spell bank properly </edit>

 

[RossMAN]

Unfortunately I know nothing about Canadian banks but what do you mean by I am getting killed on my debit card use?

Here in the United States debit card use is usually free, our debit cards work as an ATM card, as a check card (valid wherever you see the VISA or MasterCard logo's) and as a POS (point of sale) card which we typically use at a grocery store like Albertson's, Safeway, Fred Meyer's, POS terminals are also at the US Post Office and even Walmart stores. Whether you use the AMT, check card or POS feature of our debit cards it all comes straight out of your checking or savings account. Some debit cards here even offer rebate incentives, a while ago US Bank was offering 1% back on all debit card usage. Too bad US Bank sucks and got caught selling customer information in Minnesota, bad bad bad!

Other Canadian banks you should consider are:
Toronto Dominion / Canada Trust
Royal Bank of Canada
Bank of Nova Scotia
National Bank of Canada

Maybe asking family, friends and co-workers is a good idea.

 

[desy]

Debit cards charge by the transaction but you have the option of paying a monthly charge that will give you unlimited transactions if you want. Unfortunatley they don't bother ususally to tell you that.
Credit Unions or Trust companies generally give you more cause they are smaller and compete for you business better

 

[Dark4ng3l]

Hmmm bank of Montreal is l337, but Im with the "caisses desjardins" credit union.

 

[Mucman]

Thanks for the replies so far. I think my best bet is to visit all their websites and print out their plans. ING Direct looks interesting too. I am make very little interest with my money that is in the bank now.

 

[IIIBradIII]

Check this out. This should show you a place NOT to go...

XDude - The Dough