Implicity (1.9%): Now we’re moving into Credit Unions. This one is run by Entegra Credit Union, and is not guaranteed by CDIC, but by Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Manitoba (DGCM). DGCM does not have the $100,000 limit like CDIC, and instead guarantees whatever obscene amount of money you have in Implicity’s deposits.
PeoplesTrust (1.9%): Guaranteed by CDIC like the chartered banks. This one is a stretch, since it is a credit union all the way in Vancouver. Although it does offer online banking, it was implemented one-two years ago. They do also offer call center services to initiate transactions if you choose to bypass the online system. Note that their office hours are not in EST.
Credit Card Services
MBNA Smart Cash (Cash rebate, Mastercard)
A very impressive Mastercard. service offering:
•First six months 5% cash back on gas and grocery
•After six months 2% cash back on gas and grocery
•1% cash back on everything else
Once you hit enough rebates for a $50 cheque, they will mail it to you automatically. Even if you don’t keep track, they will track it for you.
TrueEarnings® Card from Costco and American Express (Cash rebate, American Express)
Average services offering:
•3% cash back on eligible restaurant purchases
•2% cash back on eligible gas purchases
•1% cash back on other purchases
Scotia Momentum (Cash rebate,VISA)
Fairly good services offering:
•1% cash back on eligible gas, grocery, etc
•0.5% on all other eligible purchases
I can’t help but compare this against my old VISA card from TD, which offers 0.5% on all purchases on the first $3,000, and 1% rebate thereafter.
I regret not having done my research earlier!
BonusTip:
Tax Free Savings
PeoplesTrust (3.0%):This has been, by far, the highest deposit rate I have ever witnessed in recent years. Do you know what rate the Bank of Canada lends money to TD/Scotiabank/RBC/BMO etc at 3%.
Putting money in PeoplesTrust is like we’re the Bank of Canada and lending money to a financial institution. Did I mention it’s tax-free?making it the upside of the account.
The downside is the accessibility, which is limited by their online system’s continued development. I called them to transfer funds out, and it was a fairly quick process. Some of you may treat this lack of online banking as a reason to spend less.
I hope this research is helpful to you as it is to me!
Happy Savings!