What is the monthly fee for Desjardins chequing?

Desjardins chequing fees vary by account and by caisse. The Everyday Banking account ranges from $0 to $4.95/month for approximately 12 transactions. The Unlimited account is typically $12.95/month (waived at ~$4,000 daily balance). The Premium account is approximately $16.95/month. Fees and waivers are not fully standardized across all caisses — confirm with your local caisse. Unlike federally chartered banks, Desjardins is a cooperative federation and individual caisses retain some pricing autonomy.

Does Desjardins have a no-fee chequing account?

Desjardins does not offer a fully no-fee nationwide chequing account the way Simplii Financial, Tangerine, or EQ Bank do. Some caisses offer a basic plan with no monthly fee for very limited transactions. The most competitive entry-level option is the Everyday Banking account at $0–$4.95/month depending on transaction volume and caisse. For fee-free banking with unlimited transactions, consider Simplii Financial or the Desjardins Unlimited account (fee waived at $4,000 balance).

What is the NSF fee at Desjardins?

Desjardins typically charges $45–$50 per NSF (non-sufficient funds) item. The exact amount can vary by caisse — check with your local caisse or your account agreement for the precise figure. NSF fees apply when a cheque, pre-authorized debit, or other transaction is returned due to insufficient funds.

Are ATM withdrawals free at Desjardins?

ATM withdrawals at Desjardins ATMs (600+ owned, primarily Quebec) are free for account holders. Desjardins is also part of THE EXCHANGE Network, giving fee-free access to 3,600+ ATMs at credit unions and other institutions across Canada. Out-of-network ATMs (major bank ATMs, independent ATMs) incur a surcharge plus any fee charged by the ATM operator.

Do patronage dividends reduce my Desjardins fees?

Yes, effectively. Desjardins caisses distribute a portion of annual surplus back to members as patronage dividends, proportional to fees and interest paid. If you paid $156/year in account fees and the dividend rate is 1%, you receive approximately $1.56 back. At a 2% rate, $3.12. The dividends are modest on small balances but represent a real reduction in net banking cost that no investor-owned bank provides. Rates and amounts vary by caisse and are not guaranteed.

Are Interac e-Transfers free at Desjardins?

Desjardins includes Interac e-Transfers as part of most account plans. The number of free e-Transfers depends on the specific account tier — Unlimited and Premium accounts typically include unlimited free e-Transfers. The basic Everyday Banking tier may limit the number included before per-transaction charges apply. Confirm with your specific account plan and caisse.

Desjardins Fees 2026 | Monthly, NSF & ATM Fee Guide

Desjardins fees vary more than those of federally chartered banks because each caisse populaire operates with some pricing autonomy within the federation’s guidelines. The figures below are representative of most Desjardins caisses — confirm with your local caisse for your specific account.

Chequing Account Monthly Fees

Account	Monthly Fee	Fee Waiver	Transactions Included
Everyday Banking	$0–$4.95	Varies by caisse	~12
Unlimited	$12.95	~$4,000 daily balance	Unlimited
Premium	$16.95	~$4,000 daily balance	Unlimited + perks

Desjardins vs National Bank and Simplii Financial

Institution	Basic Fee	Fee Waiver	Free e-Transfers
Simplii Financial	$0	None required	Unlimited
National Bank (Digital)	$0	None required	Unlimited
Desjardins (Everyday)	$0–$4.95	Varies	Plan-dependent
National Bank (The Account)	$4.95	$1,500 balance	1 free/month
Desjardins (Unlimited)	$12.95	$4,000 balance	Unlimited

For fee-free banking, Simplii Financial and National Bank’s Digital Banking Account are more competitive. Desjardins’ strength is its cooperative model, insurance bundling, and patronage dividends — not lowest-cost per transaction.

NSF and Overdraft Fees

Fee	Amount	Notes
NSF (returned item)	$45–$50	Varies by caisse
Overdraft (if approved credit line)	Per agreement	Interest charged on balance
Overdraft (no credit line)	$5/occurrence	Emergency protection where offered

NSF fees are assessed when a transaction exceeds the available balance. Setting up overdraft protection via a linked credit line avoids the NSF fee but incurs interest on the borrowed amount.

ATM Fees

ATM Type	Fee
Desjardins ATMs (~600)	$0
THE EXCHANGE Network (3,600+)	$0
Other Canadian ATMs (non-network)	Surcharge + operator fee
International ATMs	FX fee + operator fee

THE EXCHANGE Network connects credit unions across Canada, providing free ATM access in most provinces even without a nearby Desjardins branch. To find a free ATM, use the Desjardins AccèsD app or the EXCHANGE Network ATM locator.

Patronage Dividends: Effective Fee Reduction

At year-end, the caisse distributes surplus profits to members proportional to financial activity:

Annual Fees Paid	1% Dividend Rate	2% Dividend Rate
$60 (basic account)	$0.60	$1.20
$155 (Unlimited, no waiver)	$1.55	$3.10
$500 (fees + loan interest)	$5.00	$10.00

Dividends are not guaranteed and vary by caisse. They are not a major financial benefit on their own but represent a philosophical difference from investor-owned banking: surplus goes back to members, not to shareholders.

Credit Card Fees

Card	Annual Fee	Key Earn Rate
Cash Back Visa	$0	1% all purchases
Cash Back World Mastercard	$99	2% groceries and restaurants
Odyssey Visa Infinite	$99	Bonusdollars rewards
Odyssey World Elite Mastercard	$150	Premium rewards + travel perks

GIC Minimum Deposit

Term	Minimum Deposit	Rate Range
30–89 days	$500	Varies
1 year	$500	~3.50–4.50%
3 years	$500	~3.25–4.00%
5 years	$500	~3.25–3.75%

GIC rates vary by caisse and market conditions. Non-redeemable GICs offer higher rates than redeemable equivalents.