RATESDOTCA’s annual Best of Finance Awards recognizes the best credit cards and banking products in Canada.
We here at RATESDOTCA understand certain financial decisions can be daunting. You’re protective of your hard-earned cash and you don’t want it to go to waste. That’s why we strive to help every Canadian find the mortgage, credit card, bank account, loan or investment product that best fits their lifestyle and budget.
In doing such, we annually audit Canadian credit cards and banking accounts to see how they stack up against each other.
The Best of Finance Awards recognizes some of the top products in the personal finance industry, and helps you – the consumer – ultimately find your best match.
Methods
In selecting the top nominees for each category, we examined dozens of products and took various factors into consideration, such as points, miles, interest rates, balance transfer rates and annual fees. We then converted all figures into cash to see which products put the most money in your wallet. Each category contains three to four nominees, all of which we found performed exceptionally well for the Canadian consumer.
New this year
This year, the Best of Finance Awards is also featuring a new category: Best Prepaid Card. Prepaid credit cards are increasingly becoming a popular way for Canadians to access funds, similar to a regular credit card, without having to pay interest fees or go through banks or lenders. The three category nominees – Koho, Brim and Stack – all tout seamless payment options, optimized security, and comprehensive reward programs, while providing a digital alternative to the traditional banking experience.
2019 Best of Finance Awards nominees
The following is a list of this year’s categories and nominees in alphabetical order.
The winners of the 2019 Best of Finance Awards will be announced on May 15, 2019.
Credit Card Categories
Best Rewards Card
- CIBC Aventura® Visa InfiniteTM
- President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard®
- Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
- Scotiabank®* Gold American Express® Card
- TD Cash Back Visa Infinite* Card
Best Rewards Card with No Annual Fee / Low Income Requirements
- MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus® Mastercard®
- President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard®
- RBC® Cash Back MasterCard‡
- RBC Rewards+ Visa Card
- Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
Best Card for Carrying a Balance
- MBNA True Line® Gold Mastercard® credit card
- National Bank Syncro Mastercard®
Best Card for Balance Transfers
- MBNA True Line® Gold Mastercard® credit card
- MBNA True Line® Mastercard® credit card
Best Card for Building Credit
- Capital One® Guaranteed (& Guaranteed Secured) MasterCard®
- Home Trust Secured Visa Card
- National Bank MC1™ Mastercard®
Best for Students
- BMO CashBack Mastercard®
- BMO SPC CashBack Mastercard®
- SCENE® Visa* Card
Best Card with Travel Perks
- American Express CobaltTM Credit Card
- CIBC Aventura® Visa InfiniteTM
- Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card
- RBC Visa Infinite‡ Avion®
- Scotiabank Passport® Visa Infinite* Card
- TD First Class Travel
Best Card for Groceries
- American Express CobaltTM Credit Card
- Capital One® MasterCard® (for Costco members)
- President’s Choice Financial® Mastercard®
Best Gas Rewards Card
- American Express CobaltTM Credit Card
- Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card
- Shell CashBack MasterCard® from BMO
- Triangle™ Mastercard®
Best Store Card
- Capital One® MasterCard® (for Costco members)
- President’s Choice Financial® World Elite Mastercard®
- Triangle™ World Elite Mastercard®
Best Prepaid Card
- Brim
- Koho
- Stack
Banking Product Categories
Best Savings Account
- Alterna Bank High Interest eSavings Account
- EQ Bank Savings Plus Account
- Motive Financial
Best Chequings Account
- Alterna Bank No Fee eChequing Account
- Scotiabank Scotia OneTM
- Tangerine Chequing Account
Best GIC
- EQ Bank
- Motive Financial
- Oaken Financial
