Topic: Personal finance How does the Canadian financial system work?
Offers for newcomers to Canada
Coming to study, work or start a new life in Canada? We're here to help you get settled with resources and offers tailored to your needs.
Discover our special offers just for you
Find the offer
Kickstart your financial life in Canada with the newcomer offer that's right for you and benefit from a range of financial services.
Youth and students
Tap into our youth offer if you're between 18 and 24 or between 25 and 30 and studying full-time
Individuals 25 and older
You can benefit from our welcome offer for newcomers if you've been living in Canada for less than 3 years as a permanent resident or if you're a temporary resident with a work permit that extends beyond 8 months
Why choose us?
Ranked one of the world’s best financial institutions by Forbes
Desjardins Group has been named one of the world’s best banks in 2025 External link. by Forbes. The global media company ranks the top financial institutions in 34 countries based on a consumer survey with over 50,000 participants.
See what people are saying about the newcomer experience
"When I arrived in Quebec, I made the most of what Desjardins was offering. Everything was new to me and an advisor supported me through it, answering all of my questions."
"My advisor helped me navigate the financial system here. Knowing she had experienced similar issues was reassuring. Desjardins is perfect for newcomers."
"Dealing with Desjardins has been simple right from the start. They're straightforward in their discussions, which I really appreciate. I like being able to choose and make my own decisions."
Access your money the moment you get here
Transfer funds to your new Desjardins account with international money transfers. Contact your financial institution in your home country to set up your transfer and fill out the Incoming wire transfer (bilingual, PDF, 166 KB) This link will open in a new window. form.
Resources for newcomers to Canada
Tackle your new life head on. Learn some of the basics on how the Canadian financial system works. Read through our articles, browse our Facebook page Mes Finances au Canada (in French only) or sign up for our webinar Navigating the Canadian financial system or the Ma vie financière au Canada series (in French only).
Other basic concepts you should know
Credit report and credit score
A credit report shows how well you can meet financial commitments. Your credit report comes with a credit score and is based on several factors.
- Payment history
- How often others check your credit report
- Your total debt burden
- How many times you've applied for credit
- The type of credit you use
With your consent, people can check your score when you apply for a loan, rent an apartment or apply for a job.
To learn more about how to build a credit report in Canada, watch our video or read our article What is a credit report used for?
Interac e-Transfer
Interac e-Transfer® is a simple and secure way to send money to an individual or a business in Canada. To use this service, both you and the recipient must have an account at a Canadian financial institution and online access to your respective accounts.
If you have one of our newcomer offers, the Unlimited plan includes free Interac e-Transfers.
Helping you get settled in Canada
- Topic: Personal finance Immigrating to Canada: How much does it cost?
- Topic: Personal finance Budgeting for life in Canada
- Topic: Loans and borrowing Housing: The advantages of buying or renting property in Canada
International partners
We have agreements with financial institutions abroad to make your transition to Desjardins even smoother.
Manage your account online
AccèsD makes it quick and easy to access your accounts and keep an eye on your finances. Use it anytime, anywhere.
Download the Desjardins mobile services app
FAQ
Can I make an international money transfer to my Desjardins account before I arrive in Canada?
Yes. Once you've completed the first step to open an account, you can make only 1 international money transfer to your Desjardins account before arriving in Canada. You can request a transfer through your financial institution in your home country using the new account information you received by email.
You can make additional money transfers once an advisor has validated your identity at a point of service.
Is there a fee to make international money transfers to my Desjardins account?
Yes. Fees for sending and receiving money transfers (or international transfers) vary according to how much you send
Contact your financial institution in your home country to know what they charge to send money to your Desjardins account and what exchange rate they use. For more information on fees for receiving funds, refer to the Service fees page.