Since there are so many credit card options in Canada, there’s not a single bank issuing the best card. And remember, you’re not limited to getting credit cards from the same bank. You might pick and choose cards from several banks in order to meet your needs.

We’ve listed all of your banking options with direct links to the best cards they issue. So whether you’re looking for a secured card from a fintech or a cash back card from a big bank, you’re in the right place.

American ExpressBMOBrim FinancialCanadian TireCIBCDesjardinsHome TrustKohoMBNANational BankNeo FinancialRBCRogersScotiabankSimplii FinancialTangerineTDWalmart

Big and small banks in Canada

There's much more to Canadian banking than the Big 5 banks. This short list:

...is by no means complete.

You also have the option to deal with their smaller subsidiaries, like:

Not to mention credit-card-only banks like American Express, slightly smaller banks like National Bank, credit unions, and store-related credit cards for loyal customers.

Here's an overview of each one.

American Express credit cards

In the world of credit cards, American Express is hard to ignore. Their suite of cards consistently ranks high on our lists of best credit cards, and for good reason.

With competitive perks, rewards, and no income requirements, the only downside is that some merchants don’t accept Amex because of its higher processing fees.

See the best American Express credit cards.

BMO credit cards

As the very first bank in Canada, BMO has quite a wide selection of cards to offer. Most notably, their AIR MILES cards stand out from the crowd by offering competitive and rewarding products.

See the best BMO credit cards.

Brim Financial credit cards

A new player in the Canadian credit card market, Brim Financial offers a credit card lineup with unique perks and rewards that are both easy to understand and use, like access to the Mastercard Travel Pass.

And you'll never have to worry about paying foreign exchange fees with any of their cards.

See the best Brim credit cards.

Canadian Tire Bank credit cards

Canadian Tire Bank's credit cards allow you to earn Canada's second most popular form of currency – the Canadian Tire "Dollar" – on all your spending.

See the best Canadian Tire Bank credit cards.

CIBC credit cards

CIBC offers a solid lineup of travel credit cards, namely their Aventura and Aeroplan branded cards.

See the best CIBC credit cards.

Desjardins credit cards

A Canadian cooperative, Desjardins Group is the largest group of credit unions in Canada. Their credit cards, most known for their suite of purchase and travel insurance, have a well-rounded variety of options available.

See the best Desjardins credit cards.

Home Trust credit cards

Home Trust has gained popularity for offering one of the few credit cards in Canada to offer no foreign exchange fees. But that's not all Home Trust is good for – they also have a great line of secured credit cards for rebuilding credit.

See the best Home Trust credit cards.

MBNA credit cards

A division of TD Bank, MBNA has some truly great credit cards to offer. Their Alaska Airlines branded credit cards, for example, are hidden gems in the travel category, and their True Line credit cards offer some of the best balance transfer deals currently available.

See the best MBNA credit cards.

National Bank credit cards

As a runner-up to the Big 5 banks, National Bank offers a comprehensive group of credit cards suitable for anyone, whether you're a big spender, a world-traveller, or are just starting out with your first credit card.

See the best National Bank credit cards.

RBC credit cards

With over 1,100 branches in Canada alone, the biggest bank in Canada has a lot to offer. For the traveller, you can choose between their own Avion, WestJet, British Airways, or Cathay Pacific branded credit cards, to name a few.

See the best RBC credit cards.

Rogers Bank credit cards

One of Canada's biggest communications and media companies offers its own line of cash back credit cards.

See the best Rogers Bank credit cards.

Scotiabank credit cards

Scotiabank is the only Big 5 bank to offer credit cards from the American Express network ‒ making them the ONLY bank that offers Mastercard, Visa, and Amex cards. Their cards are getting quite used to sitting at the top of some of our yearly rankings, and they don't plan on coming down any time soon.

See the best Scotiabank credit cards.

Tangerine credit card

Tangerine waltzed into the credit card game in 2014, bringing something new and refreshing to the table – the only credit cards on the Canadian market that allow you to pick and choose your spending categories out of a list of ten.

See the best Tangerine credit cards.

TD Bank credit cards

Although they offer solely Visa credit cards, TD has a pretty well-rounded fleet to choose from. With some of the best Aeroplan credit cards on the market, you're sure to find what you're looking for with this big bank.

See the best TD Bank credit cards.

Walmart Financial credit card

It comes as no surprise that one of Canada's largest retailers comes with their own branded credit cards.

See the best Walmart credit cards.

Wealthsimple credit card

Wealthsimple, an alternative to traditional banks, has yet to launch its new credit card, but once it does release it’s sure to make a splash.

See the Wealthsimple card.

FAQ

Which bank provides the best credit card?

A network, Amex, provides the best card – the American Express Cobalt Card, but other banks issue some of the best credit cards based on specific needs. MBNA, Rogers, Scotiabank, and CIBC all issue great options.

What is the best credit card in Canada?

The best credit card in Canada is the American Express Cobalt Card, which is our top pick due to its high earn rate, solid insurance package, generous welcome bonus, and flexible redemption options.

Which Canadian bank has the best benefits?

Although the American Express Platinum Card is the best benefits credit card overall, the bank issuing the best benefits credit card is TD with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, which comes with great Air Canada benefits.

Which bank credit card is best with no annual fee?

Rogers issues the best cash back credit card with no annual fee: The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard. You’ll earn up to 3% unlimited cash back on USD purchases or up to 2% back on non-USD purchases.

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