Topics & Search

Empowering youth in and from government care in BC

Money & Income

Open a bank account

Open a bank account

Opening a bank account is easy. Anyone can do it and, once you’ve got one, you’ll have a safe place to keep your money!

Do I qualify for a bank account?

Anyone can open a bank account in Canada. All you need are two pieces of ID.

Find a bank that works for you.

You have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a bank. They all offer similar types of accounts, but they might have different fees or rewards for signing up.

Use the Account Selector Tool to compare banks and bank account plans in your area.

Insider Tip
Most banks offer cheap or free accounts and special packages for youth and students.

How do I set up a bank account?

Get your ID ready

You’ll need to bring two pieces of ID with you to the bank. At least one needs to have your picture on it. Here are your options:

  • Driver’s licence
  • Canadian passport
  • Birth certificate
  • Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • Status Card (Certificate of Indian Status)
  • BC Services Card (CareCard)
  • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
  • Permanent resident card
Open the account

Go to the local bank branch and they’ll set up an account for you.

The bank teller should explain the account to you. If not, here are good questions to ask:

  • What fees do they charge? Is there a monthly account fee? If so, how much?
  • How many transactions do you get a month for your plan? Will they charge if you go over?

The bank will provide you written information about your new bank account.

Use your new account

One great way to get started is to put some money into a savings account and watch it grow!

Watch and learn about banking:

Search
Generic filters

I Need Help!

In Crisis Contact List

Watch A Video