Rate Check by country: Canada · United States · United Kingdom
Key takeaways
- Business savings: best 2.50% standard vs about 0.01% at a standard big-bank savings account.
- Business GICs: up to 3.50% for 2 years, 2.50% for 3 months.
- FX: published fees from 0.25% vs reported big-bank margins of about 2.6%–3.3%.
- Card processing: Interac debit from 0.75% + 7¢ vs 2.5% for flat-rate credit.
- Corporate cards: 1% on all spend with no annual fee or personal guarantee vs 0.5%–0.75% base at big banks.
What the Treasi Rate Check is
The Treasi Rate Check compares the best published rates and fees for Canadian businesses with typical big-bank pricing, every month. “Best” means the highest published standard rate or lowest published fee among the providers Treasi compares, excluding promotions, which we show separately. “Typical” uses big-bank posted rates and published fees, and reported estimates where banks don’t publish a figure. All figures were checked in November 2026. Rates change, so confirm before you act.
Business cash: best vs typical
| Product | Best on Treasi | Typical | What it means on C$250,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business savings (standard rate) | 2.50% on CAD and USD (Float) | About 0.01% standard big-bank savings | About C$6,250 a year vs about C$25 |
| Licensed-bank savings | 2.25% on every dollar (EQ Bank) | About 0.01% | About C$5,625 a year |
| Business GICs | 3.50% for 2 years; 2.50% for 3 months (EQ Bank) | Big-bank GICs vary | A guaranteed rate for a fixed term |
| Interest on USD balances | 2.50% (Float); 2% standard (Venn) | Many bank USD accounts pay little | 4 of the 7 Canadian accounts we compare pay interest on USD |
Promotions this month: Venn offers 2.75% on CAD and 3.00% on USD for 12 months on new balances. Big-bank tiered savings, such as BMO from 1.50% and National Bank from 1.25%, pay more as your balance grows.
FX and international payments: best vs typical
| Item | Best on Treasi | Typical | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Converting CAD to USD | 0.25% (Venn Pro); 0.45% on Venn’s free plan; 0.5% (Airwallex) | About 2.6%–3.3% reported big-bank margin | Measure your margin against the interbank rate at the time of the trade |
| US$20,000 supplier payment | About C$126 at 0.45% | About C$790–C$990 by bank wire, including a reported C$50 wire fee | Mostly the exchange-rate margin, not the wire fee |
| Hedging a future payment | Forwards, options and limit orders (Corpay, OFX, Convera) | Bank forwards for larger clients | Locks in a rate for planned payments |
Card processing: best vs typical
| Payment type | Lower-cost option | Typical | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interac debit in person | 0.75% + 7¢ (Square) | Credit at 2.5% flat | Debit is far cheaper than credit |
| Growing volume | Interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ (Helcim) | 2.5% flat in person | Interchange-plus often costs less as volume grows |
| Online payments | 2.8% + 30¢ (Square); 2.9% + C$0.30 (Stripe) | Plus 0.8% international and 2% conversion (Stripe) | International sales cost more |
Corporate cards: best vs typical
| Feature | Best on Treasi | Typical big-bank card | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash back on all spend, no annual fee | 1% (Venn, Ramp) | 0.5%–0.75% base (TD, BMO) | On C$30,000 a month: about C$3,600 a year vs C$1,800 |
| Foreign transaction fees | 0% on CAD, USD, GBP and EUR (Loop) | 2.5% | On C$5,000 a month of foreign spend, 2.5% costs C$1,500 a year |
| Personal guarantee | Not required (Venn, Ramp) | Usually required | Keeps company debt off your personal credit |
How to use this month’s Rate Check
- Move idle cash: compare your current rate with the 2.50% best standard rate.
- Measure your FX margin against the interbank rate at the time of your last few conversions.
- Encourage debit and review your processing model as volume grows.
- Check your card’s foreign fee and liability before your next renewal.
- Get your Treasi score to see where your business is paying more than it needs to.
How we build the Rate Check
Each month we check the published rates and fees of the Canadian providers Treasi compares, on their own pages and in their fee schedules, and use big-bank posted rates and published fees as the typical benchmark. Where a bank doesn’t publish a figure, such as its FX margin, we use independent estimates and label them as reported. We never forecast rates.
Providers that can help
Compare these providers, then request a free, no-obligation quote.
CAD, USD, GBP and EUR accounts with interest and low-cost FX
C$0 Monthly subscription
2.25% on every dollar plus Business GICs
C$0 Monthly fee
FAQs
What is the Treasi Rate Check?
A monthly comparison of the best published rates and fees for Canadian businesses against typical big-bank pricing, covering business cash, FX, card processing and corporate cards.
What is the best business savings rate in Canada this month?
In November 2026, the best standard rate among the Canadian accounts Treasi compares was 2.50% on CAD and USD balances at Float, with EQ Bank paying 2.25% on every dollar.
How much do big banks charge on FX?
Big banks build their margin into the exchange rate. Independent monitors estimate TD’s margin on major currencies at about 2.6% to 3.3%, while specialists publish fees from 0.25%.
What is the cheapest way to accept card payments in Canada?
For in-person sales, encouraging Interac debit, which costs about 0.75% + 7¢ with Square. As volume grows, interchange-plus pricing such as Helcim’s often costs less than flat rates.
Which Canadian corporate cards don’t need a personal guarantee?
Venn and Ramp state that no personal guarantee is required. Bank business credit cards usually require one.
How often is the Rate Check updated?
Every month, using the latest published provider rates and big-bank pricing.
Sources: Float, EQ Bank, Venn, BMO and National Bank published account terms; Venn, Airwallex, Corpay, OFX and Convera FX pricing; TD exchange-rate disclosure and independent margin estimates (reported); Square, Helcim and Stripe Canadian pricing; Treasi card database. Checked November 2026.