Canada's oldest incorporated city and the Bay of Fundy's industrial heart — Saint John workers deserve a bank that doesn't charge $15/month for the privilege of holding their money.
Saint John (pop. ~70,000) is New Brunswick's largest city and economic engine, anchored by Irving Oil, the Irving Pulp & Paper mill, the Port of Saint John, and the NB Power Point Lepreau nuclear station. The economy is industrial and working-class, with healthcare (Saint John Regional Hospital) and NBCC rounding out the employment base. Most Saint John residents would benefit significantly from switching from big bank fees to digital banking.
Why Saint John chooses KOHO: Irving workers, port employees, and SJRH healthcare staff all pay $15–$30/month at big banks while earning 0.01% interest. KOHO flips that — zero fees and 3.0% interest on your balance. Your paycheque works harder before you even spend it. CDIC-insured through Peoples Bank of Canada.
Earn $100 cash with referral code 45ET55JSYA at signup.
EQ Bank pays 3.75% on its Savings Plus Account — the highest savings rate available to New Brunswick residents. Perfect for building a down payment, emergency fund, or RRSP. No fees, CDIC insured. In a province where housing is still relatively affordable, EQ Bank maximizes the savings period before purchase.
East Coast Credit Union (merged from multiple Maritime credit unions) serves the New Brunswick region. Member-owned with local lending decisions on Saint John property values. New Brunswick Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation (NBCUDIC) provides unlimited deposit coverage — no cap, unlike CDIC's $100,000 limit.
TD has multiple branches in Saint John including uptown and east side locations. TD's extended hours, large ATM network, and consistent service across Canada make it the top big bank choice for Saint John residents who want traditional branch banking. TD's small business products serve the many family businesses in the Saint John area.
RBC has several Saint John locations and is the natural choice for mortgage financing and wealth management. Saint John's affordable housing market ($250K–$450K median) makes RBC's mortgage products accessible. RBC's investment advisors serve the region's retirees and professionals.
Unlike Ontario and Quebec, New Brunswick does not have a provincial land transfer tax. NB charges a County Services Tax (CST) of approximately 1% on property transfers — much lower than Ontario's LTT. On a $350,000 Saint John home, the CST is only ~$3,500 vs. ~$4,275 Ontario LTT on the same price.
This makes Saint John one of Canada's most affordable cities to buy into — low home prices AND low transfer taxes.
| Bank | Monthly Fee | Savings Rate | Deposit Insurance | Saint John Branch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOHO | $0 | 3.0% | CDIC $100K/cat | ❌ Digital only |
| EQ Bank | $0 | 3.75% | CDIC $100K/cat | ❌ Digital only |
| East Coast CU | $0–$9.95 | ~1.5% | NBCUDIC Unlimited | ✅ Yes |
| TD | $10.95–$29.95 | 0.01% | CDIC $100K/cat | ✅ Multiple |
| RBC | $11.95–$30 | 0.01% | CDIC $100K/cat | ✅ Multiple |
The commercial core has all major banks — TD, RBC, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC — concentrated along King and Princess Streets. Most ATMs within 2 blocks.
Home to Irving Oil Refinery workers and port employees. Branch banking less convenient — KOHO digital banking perfect for shift workers who don't have time for branch visits during banking hours.
Suburban residential areas with professional families. TD and RBC branches in the McAllister Mall area. Meridian CU alternative: nearest is in Moncton.
Working-class residential with Irving Pulp & Paper workers. Scotiabank and TD have West Side branches. KOHO users avoid commuting to Uptown for banking.
Largest employer in southern NB. Healthcare workers benefit enormously from KOHO's zero-fee model — a nurse paying $20/month to RBC loses $240/year for no reason.
New Brunswick does not have a traditional provincial land transfer tax. Instead, NB charges a County Services Tax (CST) of approximately 1% on property transfers. This is significantly lower than Ontario's LTT, making NB one of Canada's cheapest provinces for property transaction costs.
New Brunswick credit unions are protected by the New Brunswick Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation (NBCUDIC), which provides unlimited coverage on eligible deposits — no dollar cap. This is superior to CDIC's $100,000 per-category limit at banks.
KOHO for daily spending (zero fees, 3.0% interest on your paycheque), EQ Bank for RRSP/TFSA savings (3.75%), and TD or East Coast CU for mortgage needs in Saint John's affordable housing market.
Yes — Saint John remains one of Canada's most affordable major cities with median home prices around $330,000 in 2026. Combined with NB's low ~1% county transfer tax, entry into homeownership is more accessible here than in Ontario or BC.
KOHO charges zero monthly fees and pays 3.0% interest on every dollar. Use code 45ET55JSYA to earn $100 cash when you open today.
Open KOHO — Get $100 →