Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu & Tamil language services, low international transfer fees, and branches in Brampton, Scarborough, Mississauga, and Surrey
Canada is home to one of the largest South Asian diaspora communities in the world, with over 1.8 million people of South Asian origin. GTA communities in Brampton, Scarborough, Mississauga, and Markham have significant South Asian populations, and many major banks have adapted their services to serve these communities.
RBC has made significant investments in South Asian community services, including Punjabi and Hindi-speaking staff at key branches in Brampton (Queen St, Main St) and Scarborough. RBC's international wire transfer service is competitive for sending money to India and Pakistan.
TD's New to Canada Banking package is one of the most popular among South Asian immigrants. The bank has extensive Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, and Bengali speaking staff, especially in Brampton and Mississauga locations. TD also has a dedicated South Asian community advisory program.
Scotiabank's StartRight program is designed for newcomers and offers free banking for up to two years. They have a strong partnership network with Indian banks and competitive transfer rates to India. Many South Asian-community branches in the GTA offer multilingual teller services.
BMO's Newcomer Program offers free banking for one year and has invested in South Asian community outreach, particularly in Brampton. BMO offers competitive rates for sending money to South Asia through their international wire services.
CIBC has invested heavily in digital banking and offers a strong app experience popular with tech-savvy South Asian professionals. CIBC Smart Banking adapts to your transaction habits, and the bank has multilingual support lines.
When choosing a bank, language accessibility is critical — especially for older family members or recent arrivals. Here's where you're most likely to find South Asian language services:
| Bank | Hindi | Punjabi | Urdu | Tamil | Bengali |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC | ✓ (select branches) | ✓ (Brampton, Surrey) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TD Canada Trust | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scotiabank | ✓ | ✓ (limited) | ✓ (limited) | ✓ | ✗ |
| BMO | ✓ (some branches) | ✓ (Brampton) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| CIBC | ✓ (phone) | ✓ (phone) | ✓ (phone) | ✗ | ✗ |
Sending money back home is a significant need for many South Asian Canadian families. Here's how the major banks compare:
| Bank | Transfer Fee | Exchange Rate Markup | Transfer Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBC InternationalRemit | $0–$6 | 1.5–2.5% | 1–2 days |
| TD Global Transfer | $0–$10 | 2–3% | 1–3 days |
| Scotiabank | $1.99–$15 | 2–3% | 1–5 days |
| BMO | $0–$15 | 2–3.5% | 2–5 days |
| KOHO (via Wise) | Variable | ~0.5% | Same day |
| Wise (standalone) | Variable | ~0.5% | Same day |
KOHO is a Canadian fintech that offers a completely fee-free account with real cashback on purchases. For South Asian families looking to save on banking costs — including newcomers who may be fee-sensitive — KOHO is an excellent choice.
| Bank | Monthly Fee | South Asian Services | Newcomer Program | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOHO | $0 | Phone support | No | No-fee everyday banking |
| TD | $0 yr 1 | Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Tamil | Yes (New to Canada) | Newcomers, multilingual support |
| RBC | $4+ | Punjabi, Hindi (select) | Yes | Established banking, remittances |
| Scotiabank | $0 yr 1–2 | Hindi, Tamil | Yes (StartRight) | Remittances to India |
| BMO | $0 yr 1 | Hindi, Punjabi (select) | Yes | Community engagement |
No monthly fees, 1–2% cashback, and instant e-Transfers. The best no-fee account for South Asian Canadians in 2025.
Open KOHO — Use Code 45ET55JSYATD Canada Trust has the most extensive multilingual staff among major Canadian banks, including Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Tamil, and Bengali speakers. Their Brampton and Mississauga branches are particularly well-staffed for South Asian customers. RBC is a close second, especially in Brampton and Surrey (BC).
Yes. Most major Canadian banks have newcomer programs that allow you to open an account within the first few months of arriving, even without a credit history. You'll typically need your passport, proof of immigration status (PR card, work permit, study permit), and a Canadian address. TD, RBC, Scotiabank, and BMO all have dedicated newcomer programs.
The cheapest way to send money from Canada to India is through specialized remittance services like Wise, Remitly, or Instarem. These services charge significantly lower fees (often under 1%) compared to banks (2–3%+ markup). Your Canadian bank account is used as the funding source, and funds arrive in Indian bank accounts within hours to 1–2 days.
While there are no banks exclusively for South Asian communities, many credit unions and community financial institutions serve specific communities. For example, some credit unions in Brampton and Surrey have a large Punjabi-speaking membership base. Otherwise, TD and RBC have the deepest South Asian community outreach programs among the Big Five banks.
For Brampton residents, TD and RBC are typically the top choices due to the high concentration of South Asian staff at their Brampton branches. TD's Queen Street East and RBC's Main Street Brampton locations are known for their multilingual service. For no-fee banking, KOHO is excellent for everyday spending while keeping a major bank for larger transactions.
KOHO itself does not support international wire transfers. However, you can use your KOHO account to fund transfers through Wise or Remitly for sending money abroad. Many South Asian Canadians use KOHO for their everyday Canadian banking (due to zero fees and cashback) while using Wise for international remittances.