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Tangerine Bank at a glance

Tangerine Bank was founded in 1997 (as ING Direct Canada) and has over 2 million clients.

Tangerine Bank account options
Savings
Chequing
Mastercard credit cards
Investing
Other Tangerine Bank services
Mortgages
Lines of credit
Business accounts
Investment portfolio management

Tangerine Bank overview

Tangerine is one of a growing number of online-only banks in Canada. It was launched in 1997 as ING Direct Canada. Since being acquired by Scotiabank in 2012, Tangerine has developed a reputation for being a no-frills institution that charges low (or no) fees for everyday banking. But Tangerine also offers business savings accounts, investment funds, credit cards and mortgages.

Online banking capabilities at Tangerine

As a strictly online bank, Tangerine currently has no physical locations, which makes it a solid option for Canadians who are comfortable doing all of their banking digitally through the company’s website (www.tangerine.ca) or its dedicated app. Customers can access banking services and tools to help balance budgets and manage savings. If further assistance is needed, Tangerine does provide additional support by phone.

Is my money safe at Tangerine Bank?

Even though Tangerine is a digital bank, it still protects its customers’ deposits the same way as traditional banks: with coverage purchased through Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC).

If a bank ever goes out of business, CDIC insurance helps get your money back. It covers a variety of deposits, from savings and guaranteed investments to TFSAs and RIFs, each to a maximum of $100,000. In total, 16 different kinds of deposits at Tangerine are covered by CDIC.

Tangerine has also arranged protection for customers who purchase mutual funds by securing coverage through the Mutual Funds Dealers Association of Canada’s Investor Protection Corporation.

Tangerine Bank account types

Tangerine offers a wide variety of accounts for customers to choose from.

Tangerine Bank savings accounts

Traditional savings account: no service charges and a decent base interest rate.
Children’s savings account: a no monthly fee and $0 minimum balance requirement account to help kids learn about saving.
US dollar savings account: a place to stash your American currency while earning some interest.

Tangerine Bank chequing account

Chequing account: no-fee daily banking and free access to Scotiabank’s 3,500 ABMs.

Tangerine Bank credit cards

Money-back credit card: Pays up to 2% in cash-back rewards.
Tangerine World Mastercard: Earns cash-back rewards and enjoy travel perks

Tangerine Bank investing accounts

Non-registered cash investing accounts.
Registered retirement savings plans (RRSPs).
Tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs).
Registered retirement income funds (RRIFs).
Professionally managed investment portfolios and investment funds.

Other Tangerine Bank services

Guaranteed investment certificates (GICs).
Mortgages: Both variable and fixed-rate options.
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs): For accessing the equity you’ve built in your home.
Personal lines of credit: For when a credit card isn’t the right option for you.
Business bank accounts and GICs.

Tangerine Bank fees

Banking fees can vary based on the accounts you have and how you use them. Here are some of the common fees you may encounter using Tangerine’s financial products and services:

Non-sufficient funds: $45.
Overdraft fee: $5.
ABM withdrawals outside Scotiabank’s network: $1.50 (in Canada), $3 (US/worldwide)
1-year inactivity fee: $10.
Foreign currency conversion: 2.5% is added to the exchange rate.
RRSP, TFSA or RRIF transfer to another institution: $50.

Tangerine Bank

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Who Tangerine Bank is best for:

Canadians who want flexible, no-fee digital banking.

Tangerine’s variety of account offerings makes it a fit for most personal banking needs, and the bank’s lack of monthly transaction fees solidify it as a top choice for Canadians who conduct a lot of chequing account transactions, such as Interac e-transfers.

Tangerine’s digital approach may also be attractive for people who are comfortable with online banking and don’t need access to actual brick-and-mortar branches.

Pros and cons of Tangerine Bank

There’s plenty to like about Tangerine, but no bank or credit union is without its drawbacks. Here’s what to consider before you open an account.

Pros of Tangerine Bank

Fully digital: do your banking when and where you want.
A fair number of account and GIC options to choose from.
No fees for daily chequing transactions, Interac e-transfers or the use of Scotiabank’s network of ABMs.
No monthly fees or minimum balances to maintain for chequing accounts.

Cons of Tangerine Bank

Being an online-only bank means you won’t be able to walk into a branch and get help if you need it.
A $45 insufficient funds fee could set you back even further if your budget is already stretched.
Business savings accounts require you to have a business chequing account at another bank.

How Tangerine Bank compares to other online banks

Even though you’ll find more similarities between EQ Bank and Tangerine, there may be a unique feature or offering from one that may suit you better.

	ATM access	Are deposits insured?
Canadian Tire	N/A	Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.
EQ Bank	Free at any ATM in Canada (fees are reimbursed).	Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Simplii Financial	Free at any CIBC ATM.	Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Tangerine Bank	Free at any Scotiabank ABM.	Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.

» MORE: Check out our Banking reviews of other Big Banks, credit unions and online-only banks.

Tangerine is owned by Scotiabank. In 2012, Scotiabank acquired ING Bank of Canada from the Netherlands-based ING Group. In 2014, the online bank changed its name to Tangerine.

To open an account online, you’ll need to provide an email address, your full name, your date of birth, and your Canadian address. You’ll also need to enter a Social Insurance Number if you’re opening an interest-earning account, such as a savings account. You’ll need to confirm your identity by uploading a copy of an approved piece of ID and a document that shows proof of residence. In some cases, you may also be required to confirm your identity in person at a nearby Canada Post location.