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ALSO CONSIDER: Best chequing accounts | Best No-fee Chequing Accounts | Best Student Bank Accounts | Best Senior Bank Accounts
It’s satisfying to get something for free — especially when that something is cold, hard cash. But money isn’t the only thing you could get for opening a chequing account. Chequing account offers include gift cards, waived fees, merchandise and more.
Banks offer account promotions to incentivize new customers to sign up. If you’re in the market for a new chequing account, compare account features and promotions to nab the best offer for your lifestyle and spending habits.
- The best chequing account offers and promotions
- Summary of our picks
- Why should you choose a chequing account with an introductory offer?
BMO Performance Chequing Account
Earn up to a $600* welcome bonus when you open a new BMO Performance Chequing Account and Savings Amplifier Account with a 5.5% promo interest rate. *Conditions Apply
Best chequing account offers and promotions
Best for cash bonus on banking package
BMO Performance Chequing Account
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Bonus OfferUp to $600*Get up to a $600* cash bonus: (1) BMO Performance Plan chequing account holders can get an extra $350 by making a deposit of any amount by July 2nd 2024 and also complete two of the following by August 30, 2024: Set up a recurring direct deposit; and/or Make two eligible online bill payments of at least $50 to different billers; and/or Set up two eligible pre-authorized debits of at least $50 to different billers. (2) Earn $200 when you open a Savings Amplifier Account, make a deposit of $10,000 or more by July 2, 2024 and maintain that balance at all times until September 30, 2024. (3) Earn an extra $50 when you invite a family member as part of a BMO Family Bundle and have them open their account by July 2, 2024. Terms Apply.
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Monthly Fee$16.95Waive the monthly fee by maintaining a $4,000 minimum balance.Waived with minimum balance
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Number of TransactionsUnlimited
- Enjoy unlimited everyday banking transactions, no-fee daily banking for loved ones through a family bundle, up to a $40 annual fee rebate on your BMO credit card, and more on the Performance Chequing Account.
- The Bank of Montreal (BMO) is one of Canada’s Big Six banks offering personal and business accounts, lending products and investment services. Read our review of BMO for more information.
- Get up to a $600* cash bonus with us. Plus, a 5.5% promo interest rate** when you open a performance chequing and a Savings Amplifier Account.
- Performance Chequing Account, as one of BMO’s popular accounts, offers unlimited everyday banking transactions for a competitive price.
- Add an account and subtract the fees with the BMO Family Bundle that lets your loved ones enjoy no-fee daily banking with all the benefits and privacy of separate chequing accounts.
- Enjoy unlimited transactions when visiting a BMO branch or ATM and when using BMO Online, Mobile, and Telephone Banking.
- Get up to $40 of your BMO credit card annual fee rebated annually with a Performance Plan Chequing Account. Enjoy all the perks of a BMO credit card, with lower fees.
- Feel secure with OnGuard Identity Theft protection at no charge. You’ll get complimentary access to OnGuard with the Performance Plan – saving you over $150 a year.
- Enjoy all these benefits for $16.95 per month – or, pay no monthly fee when you keep a minimum balance of $4,000.
- The Performance Plan chequing account is eligible for CDIC insurance.
Best gift card and tiered monthly fee
CIBC Smart™ Account
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Bonus Offer$400Get a $400 Costco Shop Card. Open a CIBC Smart™ Account as your first chequing account and complete the qualifying actions. Provide your email address when you open a CIBC Smart Account, then within 2 months: (1) Set up ongoing monthly direct deposits totalling $500 or more. (2) And complete one of these 3 transactions within the same calendar month: 2 ongoing pre-authorized debits, 2 online bill payments of $50 or more each, or 5 online Visa* Debit purchases.
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Monthly Fee$6.95-$16.95The monthly fee varies by the number of transactions included. Waive the monthly fee and enjoy unlimited transactions by maintaining a $4,000 minimum balance.Waived with minimum balance
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Number of TransactionsVaries with monthly feeUp to 12 transactions: $6.95 monthly fee. 13 to 20 transactions: Additional $1.25 each Unlimited transactions: $16.95 monthly fee Monthly fee rebated with minimum deposit balance.
- Pay for what you use with the CIBC Smart™ Account, which offers a flexible monthly fee that adjusts to the number of transactions you make.
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, also known as CIBC, is a full-service multinational financial institution and one of the Big Six banks in Canada. Read our review of CIBC for more information.
- Get a $400 Costco Shop Card when you open your first chequing account and complete the qualifying actions.
- The monthly fee varies by the number of transactions included: $16.95 for unlimited transactions, $6.95 for up to 12 transactions, or, for 13 to 20 transactions, $6.95 plus $1.25 for each additional transaction.
- Waive the monthly fee and enjoy unlimited transactions by maintaining a $4,000 minimum daily balance.
- Free Interac e-transfer transactions that count towards your total transactions.
- Access to nearly 4,000 ATMs across Canada.
- One free non-CIBC ATM withdrawal per month in Canada.
- Shop online and in-app using money directly from your CIBC Smart Account with Visa* Debit.
- Manage your daily spending and grow your savings with help from CIBC Insights — a tool included in the CIBC Mobile Banking App that offers tailored tips based on your debit and credit card activity.
- CIBC Smart Balance Alert gives you a heads-up when your account is short on funds. That gives you time to make a transfer and avoid a non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee and a declined payment.
- Checkout with CIBC’s digital payment options, including Visa Debit, Click to Pay, Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
- Save up to 10 cents per litre on gas by linking your CIBC card with Journie Rewards to save on gas at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar and Chevron locations.
- Bank in-person, online or in the mobile app.
- Only available to Canadians aged 25 and older.
- CIBC Smart Account offers for students, newcomers and foreign workers.
- Deposits are eligible for insurance from CDIC
Best reward and a multi-product rebate
RBC Signature No Limit Banking
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Bonus OfferGet an Apple Watch Series 9Get the new Apple Watch Series 9 when you switch to RBC & open an eligible RBC bank account by April 1, 2024. Conditions apply.
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Monthly Fee$16.95$10.95 or $5 monthly fee with Value Program Rebate.¹⁰ $12.95 monthly fee for seniors¹¹ or less with Value Program Rebate.¹⁰Rebates available
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Number of TransactionsUnlimited
- RBC Signature No Limit Banking offers unlimited debit transactions, free Interac e-Transfers®, and up to a $48 annual fee rebate on eligible RBC credit cards.
- Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is one of Canada’s Big Six banks providing banking, investment, and lending solutions to individuals and businesses since 1869. Read our review of RBC for more information.
- Get the new Apple Watch Series 9 when you switch to RBC & open an eligible RBC bank account by April 1, 2024. Conditions apply.
- Unlimited debits transactions in Canada, valuable savings and even more.
- Get a credit card for less – Up to $48 rebate on the annual fee of an eligible credit card.⁵
- FREE Interac‡ e-Transfer transactions.⁶𝄒⁷
- 3 non-RBC ATM fees waived/month, $2 each thereafter.⁸
- 5 FREE cross-border debits/month, $1 each thereafter.⁹
- No minimum balance (even to get rebates).
- Monthly Fee¹: $16.95 (or less with rebate).²
- $10.95 or $5 monthly fee with Value Program Rebate.¹⁰
- $12.95 monthly fee for seniors¹¹ — or less with Value Program Rebate.¹⁰
- Avion Points¹² – Enroll your account in the Value Program to get a minimum of 1 Avion point for every $10 you spend in-store and online using your enrolled account.
- Overdraft Protection¹⁵ – Fee waived (overdraft interest applies if used).
- Safe Deposit Box¹⁶ – Up to $12/year discount on regular fees.
- Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) Fee – 1 NSF fee rebated every calendar year.²⁶
- 1 book of cheques FREE, afterwards Fees Apply¹⁷
- Bank Drafts¹⁸ – 6 FREE/year, $9.95 each thereafter.
- Online, Mobile and Telephone Banking FREE.
- eStatements FREE.
- Monthly Paper Statements $2.25 without cheque image, $2.50 with cheque image.
- Right Account Guarantee® If you’re not completely satisfied within the first 4 months, we’ll refund your monthly fees for up to 3 months.¹²
Best for cash bonus
Scotiabank Preferred Package
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Bonus OfferUp to $400*Earn up to $400 with a Scotiabank Preferred package and an investment plan. To qualify, certain conditions must be met. Offer ends July 31, 2024.
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Monthly Fee$16.95No monthly account fee by maintaining a minimum daily closing balance of $4,000 for the entire month.Waived with minimum balance
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Number of TransactionsUnlimited
- You can enjoy unlimited transactions, e-transfers and a first-year annual fee waiver of up to $150 on select credit cards with the Scotiabank Preferred Package.
- Founded in Halifax in 1832, Scotiabank is one of Canada’s oldest and largest banks, a more or less permanent member of the country’s Big Six financial institutions. Read our review of Scotiabank for more information.
- Earn up to $400 with a Scotiabank Preferred package and an investment plan¹.
- Earn an additional 0.05% on your Momentum Plus Savings Account
- Unlimited debit transactions and Interac e-transfer transactions
- First year annual fee waiver (up to $150) on select credit cards
- Earn points on every day purchases with the Scene+™ program
- 4 more perks
- Rates, fees and other information are effective as of Mar 1, 2024. Subject to change.
- Terms and Conditions Apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details.
Best for bonus cash-back and interest rate
TD Unlimited Chequing Account
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Bonus OfferUp to $400To be eligible for this offer, you must be a new TD Chequing customer. Offer ends June 3, 2024. Conditions apply.
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Monthly Fee$16.95Waive the monthly fee by maintaining a $4,000.00 minimum balance.Waived with minimum balance
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Number of TransactionsUnlimited
- The TD Unlimited Chequing Account is a convenient way to manage your daily expenditures, with unlimited transactions, free Interac e-transfers and a first-year annual fee rebate on select TD credit cards up to $139.
- TD Bank, founded in 1955 is one of Canada’s Big Six banks offering bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and investment solutions. Read our review of TD Bank for more information.
- Earn $350 by opening a TD All-Inclusive Banking Plan or TD Unlimited Chequing Account by June 3, 2024 and complete two of following by July 31, 2024: 1. Set up a Recurring Direct Deposit from your employer, pension provider or the Government. 2. Set up a Recurring Pre-Authorized Debit Payment of at least $50. 3. Make an Online Bill Payment of at least $50 through EasyWeb or the TD app.
- Earn up to 5.55% Savings Interest Rate by opening a new TD ePremium Savings Account by June 3, 2024: Earn 3.70% Bonus Savings Interest Rate for 90 days on any balances up to $1,000,000.00. Earn a posted interest rate of 1.85% on balances of $10,000 or greater.
- Earn an extra $50 by applying, be approved and add Monthly Overdraft Protection Plan or Pay As You Go Overdraft Protection Plan by June 3, 2024.
- Monthly fee: $16.95. ($11.95 for customers 60 and older.) No fee if you have $4,000 in your account at the end of each day of the month.
- Unlimited transactions included per month.
- Free Interac e-transfer transactions.
- Use your TD Access Card for online and in-person shopping, and cash withdrawals, wherever Visa is accepted.
- Visa and Interac Zero Liability protection: no customer responsibility for any unauthorized transactions.
- No additional fee for using non-TD ATMs in Canada. Other banks may charge their own fees.
- Foreign ATM fees: $3 in U.S. and Mexico, $5 in any other foreign country.
- Use TD MySpend to track monthly spending and improve spending habits.
- Direct deposit for paycheques, mobile deposit for all other cheques.
- Access to the Simply Save program, which automatically transfers small amounts of money to a linked TD savings account when using your TD Access Card.
- CDIC protection for eligible deposits.
Best cash-back bonus and a modest interest rate
Simplii Financial™ No Fee Chequing Account
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Bonus Offer$400Open a No Fee Chequing Account by October 31, 2024 and add an eligible direct deposit of at least $100 a month for 3 straight months to earn a cash reward of $400.
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Monthly Fee$0
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Number of TransactionsUnlimited
- With no monthly fee, unlimited debit purchases and free access to more than 3,400 ATM machines across Canada, Simplii Financial’s No Fee Chequing Account is a low-cost way to handle your day-to-day banking.
- Simplii Financial is an online bank owned by CIBC that offers savings and chequing accounts, credit cards, mortgages, loans, lines of credit, registered plans, GICs, and mutual fund accounts. Read our review of Simplii Financial for more information.
- Welcome offer: Apply for a Simplii Financial No Fee Chequing Account by October 31, 2024 and earn a $400† cash reward. Must be a new Simplii Financial client and set up one or more eligible recurring direct deposits totalling at least $100 per month within 120 days. Recurring direct deposits must be credited to the account for at least three consecutive months in the 120-day period.
- No monthly fees.
- No minimum balance.
- Unlimited debit purchases, bill payments and withdrawals.
- Free access to over 3,400 CIBC ATMs across Canada.
- Shop online and in-store with the Simplii Financial Debit Mastercard, which can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
- Direct payroll and pension deposit.
- Optional overdraft protection for $4.95 a month.
- Pre-authorized bill payments.
- Account-to-account transfers, including automatic transfers.
- Send personalized gift cards.
- Earn $50 by referring a friend who opens a No Fee Chequing Account or other eligible account.
- Interest rate: 0.01% on balances of $25,000 or less; 0.05% on balances greater than $25,000.
- CDIC protection for eligible deposits.
Best for bonus cash-back and interest rate
Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account
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Bonus OfferUp to $500Sign up as a Client using the promo code EARNMORE. Open your first Chequing Account and Savings Account within 30 days of becoming a Client. Start earning: 20% cash back on eligible Visa* Debit transactions for 60 days (up to a maximum cash back Bonus of $400). Set up automatic transfers from your new Chequing Account to your Savings or Investing account (min. $25 per month) within 60 days and get a $100 bonus. Enjoy a 5.75% interest rate on your new Savings account for the first 5 months. Offer ends April 22, 2024.
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Monthly Fee$0
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Number of TransactionsUnlimited
- Tangerine’s No-Fee Daily Chequing Account offers free access to 44,000 ABMs worldwide, overdraft protection, financial monitoring tools and a secure way to shop both online and in person.
- Tangerine is a subsidiary of Scotiabank and offers chequing and savings accounts, GICS, registered accounts, credit cards, mortgages, loans and investment products. Read our review of Tangerine for more information.
- Special offer: Open your first chequing and savings accounts using the promo code EARNMORE by April 22, 2024 and earn up to $500 cash back in the first 60 days (chequing) and a 5.75% interest rate for five months on eligible savings accounts.
- No monthly fee.
- Interest rate: up to 0.1%.
- Free online daily banking, including debit purchases, bill payments, pre-authorized payments, Interac e-Transfers and ABM transactions that use Scotiabank’s ABM network.
- ABM withdrawals with other banks in Canada: $1.50.
- ABM withdrawals on other networks worldwide: $3.00.
- Free first cheque book (50 cheques). $50 for each additional cheque book.
- Tangerine Client Card with Visa Debit can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, and can be added to Apply Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
- Card is covered by Interac and Visa Debit Zero Liability protection, so you won’t have to pay for unauthorized purchases.
- Access to tools and alerts that help monitor spending activity.
- CDIC protection for all eligible deposits.
Best for bonus reward points
The PC Money™ Account
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Bonus OfferUp to 125,000 Points ($400 value)Enjoy up to 125,000 points in welcome offers when you open a no monthly fee PC Money™ Account. Here's how: (1) Earn 75,000 points when you set up a minimum of $1,500 in payroll or pension direct deposit for 3 consecutive months, starting within 60 days of opening your account. (2) Earn 50,000 points: That’s 10,000 points for each of your first 5 bill payments of $50+ within 60 days of opening your account.
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Monthly Fee$0
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Number of TransactionsUnlimited
- The PC Money Account from President’s Choice Financial is not just another no-fee chequing account. It’s a rewards program, too. Every time you spend money using your PC Money Account card, you’ll earn PC Optimum points that can be put toward future purchases.
- President’s Choice Financial is part of Loblaw Companies Limited with millions of account holders across Canada that save bank fees and earn rewards through the PC Optimum points system.
- Enjoy up to 125,000 points in welcome offers when you open a no monthly fee PC Money™ Account. Here’s how: (1) Earn 75,000 points when you set up a minimum of $1,500 in payroll or pension direct deposit for 3 consecutive months, starting within 60 days of opening your account. (2) Earn 50,000 points: That’s 10,000 points for each of your first 5 bill payments of $50+ within 60 days of opening your account.
- Earn 10 PC Optimum points (five regular, five bonus) for every dollar spent.
- Earn up to 25 PC Optimum points per dollar spent at Shoppers Drug Mart.
- Earn up to 5,000 points per month when making bill payments with your account.
- No monthly fee.
- No minimum balance required.
- Free unlimited everyday transactions online and in-store, including electronic fund transfers, withdrawals at PC Financial bank machines, self-serve bill payments and purchases in Canadian dollars.
- Free Interac e-Transfer® services.
- The PC Money Account card, provided by Mastercard, is compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay digital wallets and can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
- PC Financial provides Mastercard Zero Liability Promise for unauthorized purchases.
- Free access to PC Financial ATMs.
- CDIC protection on eligible deposits worth up to $100,000.
BMO Performance Chequing Account
Earn up to a $600* welcome bonus when you open a new BMO Performance Chequing Account and Savings Amplifier Account with a 5.5% promo interest rate. *Conditions Apply
Methodology to identify the best new bank account offers
NerdWallet Canada selects the best chequing account offers and promotions based on the overall value of the bank promotions. In addition, we consider the value of the bank and account features, such as monthly fees, minimum balances, and included services. The accounts considered for this list are available to Canadians in more than one province.
Summary of the best new bank account offers in Canada
Account | Intro Offer |
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BMO Performance Chequing Account | Up to $600* |
CIBC CIBC Smart™ Account | $400 |
RBC Signature No Limit Banking | Get an Apple Watch Series 9 |
Scotiabank Preferred Package | Up to $400* |
TD Unlimited Chequing Account | Up to $400 |
Simplii Financial™ No Fee Chequing Account | $400 |
Tangerine No-Fee Daily Chequing Account | Up to $500 |
The PC Money™ Account | Up to 125,000 Points ($400 value) |
*Offer value explained on bank account card above.
Why choose a chequing account with an introductory offer?
By SHANNON TERRELL
If you plan to open a chequing account, it pays to pick one with a competitive intro offer — literally. You could receive cash, free merchandise, promotional rates on other banking products or the chance to waive off credit card fees. Just be mindful of the offer’s terms and conditions. You may need to perform an account activity or transaction to receive the offer.
- Who should consider a chequing account with an introductory offer?
- How to find the best chequing account offer for you
- Chequing account alternatives to consider
Who should consider a chequing account with an introductory offer?
Anyone interested in opening a chequing account should consider an account with an intro offer. Promotions vary by provider, but many offer attractive cash bonuses.
How to qualify for a chequing account’s intro offers
Some offers are available as soon as you open an account. Other offers require customers to complete qualifying activities or transactions to receive the offer. You may need to:
- Make a deposit.
- Set up a recurring deposit.
- Set up preauthorized debit payments.
- Make an online bill payment.
- Provide your email address.
How to find the best chequing account offer for you
The ideal chequing account offer depends on your lifestyle. Some accounts have cash bonuses, while others offer gift cards or merchandise. A chequing account that comes with a gift card to a store you don’t visit won’t be as practical as an account that offers cash.
You also want to take note of any qualifying activities or transactions. Since you must fulfil these criteria to ensure you are eligible for the promotional offer, make sure the steps you need to take to earn the offer are worth your time and money. If you don’t use preauthorized debit payments, for example, there’s no sense in setting them up just to receive a gift card.
Considerations for chequing account offers
An enticing bank account offer is worth considering but shouldn’t make or break your account selection. A lucrative cash promotion won’t make up for an account with steep fees or limited ATM access.
Does the account you’re interested in have features suited to your financial goals and spending habits? Your chequing account should be a practical fit long after the excitement of the welcome bonus has faded.
Nerdy Tip: Read the fine print. To make sure the account you’re considering is right for you, take a long, hard look at the fine print. Read the terms and conditions of the account and scout for ongoing fees, penalties and restrictions. No account is without its drawbacks, but your chosen account should fit your lifestyle.
Chequing account alternatives to consider
If you’re concerned with bank fees, a no-fee account without a promotional offer may be well worth your consideration. And you don’t need to limit yourself to chequing accounts — a credit card may be a more lucrative option for someone seeking rewards.
The best choice for you depends on your financial situation, but here are a few alternative options to explore:
Product Type | Pros | Cons |
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Credit cards with rewards | Earns rewards. Some cards offer insurance coverage. | Annual fees are common. High interest rates on borrowed funds. |
Hybrid bank accounts | Can be used as a savings and chequing account. Competitive interest rates. Notable hybrid accounts: -EQ Bank's Savings Plus Account -Wealthsimple Cash account -Neo Money account. | Limited availability in Canada, and typically only offered by online banks. Frequent ATM use could result in many added charges. |
No fee chequing accounts | No monthly fees. Unlimited transactions are common. | Rarely offers access to branch banking. Low to no interest. |
FAQs for new bank account offers
Many banks have promotions for customers opening a new chequing or savings account. Most banks advertise new bank account offers on their websites and in physical branches. See our picks for noteworthy chequing account offers and promotions in Canada.
The best chequing account offer for you depends on your preferences and banking needs. Figuring out how and where you’d use the offer value and whether you’d be able to complete the qualifying transactions to receive the offer, can help you find the ideal account with the best promotion.
Many Big Six banks, such as BMO, CIBC, Scotiabank and TD Bank, offer cash bonuses when you open a new chequing account and complete the qualifying actions. Our picks for best new bank account offers also include online banks, such as Tangerine and Simplii Financial, that have attractive cash-back promotions.
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
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