Let’s get started
Choose ATB for banking solutions tailored to the needs of newcomers in Alberta. Find a location near you and book an appointment.
New to Canada Banking Solutions
Banking benefits, built for newcomers
Free everyday banking for one year—or more
Newcomers can get one year of free banking with our Unlimited Account.1 Maintain a minimum daily balance in the Unlimited Account or ATB Advantage Account and have your account fees waived always.2
Get a free USD bank account
Open an Unlimited Account or an ATB Advantage Account and qualify for a free US Dollar Chequing Account,3 and you can send and receive Global Transfers in USD.4
Free banking for the family
Every family member 25 and younger or 59 and older can bank with no monthly fee with the Generation AccountTM and the Freedom Account.
Get a credit card with no credit history in Canada
Start building credit with a credit card limit up to $5,0005 and your choice of rewards or cash back.
Send money home with low or no fees
ATB Global Transfers let you easily and securely send money outside of Canada. Send up to $10,000 daily with low or no fees.4
Safe deposit box
Rent an ATB safe deposit box and receive a discount of up to $60.6 Take the stress out of storing precious items and important documents.
Compare your options
How to access ATB’s New to Canada Banking Solutions
Choose your products
Review your options and choose the products that are right for you and your family. If you’re not sure, we’d be happy to help.
Book an appointment
Find a location that works best for you and book a meeting with an everyday banking advisor. When booking a meeting online, select "Financial advice and guidance" from the dropdown options.
Bring your documents
To open an account, you’ll need two documents—one government issued ID with a picture of you, and another proving your residence in Alberta. Learn more in this article.
Come meet with us
Our team would love to answer all your questions about banking with ATB. Find a location to book an appointment near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
You are eligible for ATB’s New to Canada Banking Solutions if you:
- Are a permanent resident, international student, temporary foreign worker or refugee and have landed in Canada five years ago or less (with proof of status).
- Live in Alberta.
To open a bank account with ATB you will need to book an appointment. Find a branch near you.
Please bring one of the following documents:
- A valid passport (any country)
- Canadian driver’s license
- Canadian government ID card
- Permanent Resident Card
To prove Alberta residency, please also bring one of the following documents:
- SIN Letter from Service Canada with your Alberta address dated within last two years
- Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan card
- Form IMM1442/IMM1000—Study permit, work permit, temporary resident permit with your Alberta address
- Letter from post secondary school with your Alberta address dated within last two years
- One electronic or paper utility bill that has your name and Alberta address listed
- Dated lease agreement
- Alberta Driver’s License
Note: Other identification documents may be accepted or required. Please contact us for more details.
Yes. ATB has newcomer credit cards with limits up to $5,000 that you can apply for without a Canadian credit history.5
If you are new to Canada, you may have not held any credit products yet. This means that you don’t have a credit history and most likely do not have a credit score. Learn more about credit and why it’s important in this article.
When looking at different Canadian bank accounts you should consider:
- The monthly fees, and whether those fees are waived if you maintain a minimum monthly balance.
- The number of included transactions and any additional fees.
- Any additional perks or benefits.
An ATB everyday banking advisor can help walk you through your options and decide what products are best for you.
Must be a resident of Alberta and qualify as a permanent resident, international student, temporary foreign worker or refugee and have landed in Canada five years ago or less (with proof of status). Limit of one (1) one-year waived fee for an Unlimited Account per client.
Clients must maintain a daily minimum balance to have monthly account fees waived. Minimum balance varies by account. Refer to the ATB Financial Personal Account Agreement (PDF) and Additional Services & Associated Charges (PDF) for minimum balance requirements.
Existing clients can access a USD Chequing Account for no monthly fee if they hold an Unlimited Account, ATB Advantage Account, Freedom Account, or Basic Account.
Global Transfers is a feature in our web-based online banking and coming soon to the ATB Personal app. You must have an ATB account to use this service. Global Transfers are offered to 40+ countries, in 25+ currencies. Transfers must be a minimum of $50 and cannot exceed a combined $10,000 in one day.
Transfer rates are as follows: $50-$999.99, $5.00; $1,000-$10,000, free. Transfers to special countries (China, Japan & South Africa): $50-$10,000, $15.00.
Related documents: List of eligible countries (PDF), ATB Personal Terms and Conditions (PDF)
Subject to credit approval. To qualify, you must be a resident of Alberta (proof of residency required) and 18+. Your approval and the credit limit will be determined on ATB’s credit criteria, including income and credit history (if available).
The safe deposit box annual fee will be discounted for up to $60 for qualifying ATB New to Canada Banking Solutions clients for one year. Must be 18+.
One free personalized cheque order per calendar year (limited styles) with the Freedom Account.
The annual fee ($120) waived for the ATB World Elite Mastercard for each year you hold an Advantage Account. Our standard interest rates are 20.99% on purchases and 22.90% on cash advances. Click here to view complete rate and fee schedule. Client is eligible to apply for an ATB World Elite Mastercard Mastercard if the client is a resident of Alberta, 18 years or older, has not declared personal bankruptcy in the past five years, the intent of the card is for personal use only, and confirm one of the following: 1) have an annual personal income of $80,000 or more, 2) live in a household with a family income of $150,000 or more, 3) have $400,000 or more in assets under wealth management. This offer is subject to change or withdrawal at any time and without notice. On approved credit, conditions apply. Review terms and conditions here.
If you already have an ATB World Elite MasterCard please contact us to initiate the assessment and application of the fee waiver.
The 10,000 welcome bonus points ($50 value) will be applied to the client’s ATB My Rewards account within 60 days after the first eligible purchase on the ATB Gold My Rewards Mastercard. Welcome bonus offer available on new ATB Gold My Rewards Mastercard accounts where the cardholder has not had a previous ATB Gold My Rewards Travel Mastercard. Client is eligible to apply for an ATB Gold My Rewards Mastercard if the client is a resident of Alberta, 18 years or older, has not declared personal bankruptcy in the past five years and the intent of the card is for personal use only. This offer is subject to change or withdrawal at any time and without notice. On approved credit, conditions apply. Review terms and conditions here.
The 40,000 welcome bonus points ($200 value) will be applied to the client’s ATB My Rewards account within 60 days after the first eligible purchase on the ATB World Elite Mastercard. Offer available on new ATB World Elite Mastercard accounts where the cardholder had no previous ATB World Elite Mastercard. Fee waiver applies to the 1st year only and is a $120 value. Client is eligible to apply for an ATB World Elite Mastercard Mastercard if the client is a resident of Alberta, 18 years or older, has not declared personal bankruptcy in the past five years, the intent of the card is for personal use only, and confirm one of the following: 1) have an annual personal income of $80,000 or more, 2) live in a household with a family income of $150,000 or more, 3) have $400,000 or more in assets under wealth management. This offer is subject to change or withdrawal at any time and without notice. On approved credit, conditions apply. Review terms and conditions here.
Other:
ATB may change, extend or withdraw ATB’s New to Canada Banking Solutions at any time without notice. ATB reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to suspend, disqualify, limit or revoke the Offer(s) for any client we suspect of manipulating or abusing any of the offers included in ATB’s New to Canada Banking Solutions.
Related documents: ATB Financial Personal Account Agreement (PDF), Additional Services & Associated Charges (PDF).
Interest rates are subject to change at any time without advance notice.
Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated. Used under licence.Interac e-Transfer is a registered trademark of Interac Inc. Used under licence.
Garmin, D2, fēnix, Forerunner, MARQ, vívoactiveIQ and Garmin Pay are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.