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Managing your finances is hard enough – now imagine having to do it in a new country. Before you come to Canada, or if you’ve recently arrived, you might need help figuring out where to start. That’s where we come in. Here are five financial tips for new Canadians.
Understand Canada’s banking industry
In Canada, there are five major banks: Scotiabank, TD Bank, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), Bank of Montreal (BMO), and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). Every bank in Canada offers bank accounts, investments, and loans.
There are also smaller financial institutions such as KOHO, Wealthsimple, and Questrade, which are called fintechs. They often specialize in one aspect of your finances, like investing or chequing accounts.
Finally, there are member-owned financial institutions called credit unions. These are typically more localized than national banks, but they offer many of the same services as banks.
When you move to Canada, you’ll need to decide which banks and financial institutions you would like to use. Research is key, but they all offer services for newcomers.
Know your accounts
In Canada, you should be aware of a few types of financial accounts.
Investment accounts
Three popular investment accounts that all Canadians should know about are the registered retirement savings plan (RRSP), the tax-free savings account (TFSA), and the First Home Savings Account (FHSA).
RRSP
An RRSP is a top choice among Canadians to save for retirement. Money saved in an RRSP is tax-deductible, meaning these accounts can help reduce the amount of money you pay for income tax each year. The investments in an RRSP grow tax-free until withdrawal, which is usually in retirement. It’s important to note that withdrawals are taxed as income.
TFSA
Contributions to a TFSA are made with after-tax dollars, which means they