Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account review

The basics

If you want a no-frills account that doesn’t require you to pay for features you won’t use, the Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account could be a good fit for you.

• Low monthly fee. Pay a $11.95 fee per month to maintain your account unless you meet the minimum balance requirement.
• Exclusive rewards. Choose between the SCENE and Scotia Rewards reward programs whenever you spend money on your card.
• Free transactions. Get 25/month free debit transactions and $0 Interac transfers per month.
• Fee waiver on account. Pay no monthly account fee by maintaining a minimum daily closing balance of $3,000 for the entire month.
• Free credit check. Get a free credit check sponsored by Scotiabank using TransUnion’s special CreditView service.

The perks

On top of the basic benefits you’ll receive with the Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account, you’ll also get a number of additional perks:

• Online and mobile banking. You can manage your account online or over your mobile phone quickly and easily.
• Mobile cheque deposit. It’s easy to deposit your cheques through Scotiabank‘s mobile app without having to visit a branch.
• Contactless payment. You can pay by swiping your phone at the till if you link your Basic Plus account to Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.
• Senior discounts. You’ll be able to save money on your monthly account fees if you’re over the age of 60.

What to watch out for

While this account offers a number of benefits, there are also a couple of drawbacks to watch out for:

• No exclusive rates. This account doesn’t offer preferential rates for your savings accounts or GICs.
• No bonus offer. You won’t earn bonus Scene+ points when you sign up like you will with more premium accounts.
• Few benefits. You’ll get far fewer benefits with this account than you will with Scotiabank‘s Preferred or Ultimate accounts.
• Charges for non-Scotiabank ABMs. You’ll have to pay a fee to withdraw money from non-Scotiabank ABMs.

What should I know before I apply?

To open a Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

• Be a resident of Canada with a valid social insurance number
• Be 16 years of age or older
• Have an email account

How do I open a Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account?

To open a Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account, you’ll need to fill out a quick and easy online application. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Click on this secure Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account link or the “Go to Site”button on this page to get started with your application.
2. Complete the application, which includes providing your name, email address, social insurance number (SIN) and birth date.
3. Review the details of your account and apply quickly and easily with the click of a mouse.

Bottom line

Scotiabank is one of the top banks in Canada and offers a full suite of financial products to millions of clients each year. The Scotiabank Basic Plus Bank Account offers a number of value-added features for a low monthly fee. Find out what you need to qualify for this type of account and learn how you can apply online today.