Free Canadian chequing accounts with no minimum balance | Page 3 | General comparisons | Discussion forum

The information provided here is very timely for us. I have been having trouble getting cheques ordered via our online CIBC account (can't get my name imprinted the way I want it). We don't write many cheques anymore but recently two have gone to a GIC broker and one to a charity. We are down to the last few.

Instead of visiting the CIBC branch I decided to order from ChequesPlus. I went through the online process of providing imprint information for the cheques and that went well up to the time I attempted to add the order to my cart and the information disappeared. After 3 tries with the same result I called for help and was advised ChequesPlus is having technical difficulty with their online system. I was advised to email the information to them. I replied that I don't want to send sensitive banking information via email. A long convoluted alternative response followed which I could not understand. The quality of the agent's telephone was loud and had an echo and her fast-talking eastern accent all added up to make it too difficult for my old ears to understand. I accept that I am handicapped in this regard and my only recourse was to politely advise that we will not proceed with the order at this time.

Will try with another vendor.

Norman1 said
Bad timing: Cheques Plus' web site ordering is busted.

Populating the bank's info based on transit and institution number doesn't work. One needs to enter bank's name and address.

When adding to cart, the cheque is displayed for approval. However, the Approve button doesn't work!  

Approve button works for me, just tried it.

I was trying with Microsoft Edge and it didn't work.

Tried again with Microsoft Edge but in Internet Explorer mode. Much better!

I must have ordered from them last time using Internet Explorer.

Something to correct: the Free Canadian chequing chart lists Coast Capital Credit Union as serving only British Columbia. They now are federal and are going Canada-wide, with branches in Ontario at least so far.

With Vancouver City Savings Credit Union (VanCity), free cheques are provided with their senior package - and it starts at age 55. I don't use those cheques, though, as I buy no-carbon duplicate cheques for about $50 per 200. That was two years ago and may have gone up since. It's worth it to me. Within the last year or two, they have started adding cheque images to my monthly statements, which I have used to document my rent costs for certain benefits.

I use cheques for, among other things:

-monthly rent
-government payments such as income tax
-merchants with Interac limits
-payments to individuals
-insurance bills (unless they take Amex and I get cash back)
-medical/dental bills (unless they take Amex and I get cash back)
-opening new accounts at financial institutions
-certain bank-to-bank funds moves where EFT links and/or parking are unavailable

RetirEd