Why Black Friday Is a Great Time to Open a New Bank Account
Canadian banks and fintechs use Black Friday and the holiday shopping season to promote their best account bonuses. While these institutions don't discount their services (there's no "50% off" a bank account), they do offer elevated cash bonuses, waived fees, or increased welcome offers specifically during the November–December period.
Smart Canadians use Black Friday to stack financial wins: open a new account for the welcome bonus, use a new credit card with elevated welcome offer, and redirect that cash toward holiday spending — without actually spending more than budgeted.
Best Available Banking Bonus — Right Now
KOHO offers a $100 cash bonus year-round using referral code 45ET55JSYA. No spending requirement, no hoops to jump through — one of the most accessible cash bonuses in Canadian banking. Open your account at bremo.io/go/koho.
Types of Black Friday Banking Deals in Canada
Bank Account Welcome Bonuses
Major banks (TD, RBC, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) regularly offer elevated cash bonuses during Black Friday for new chequing account openings. Requirements typically include setting up direct deposit and keeping a minimum balance. Check each bank's current promotion page directly.
Credit Card Welcome Offers
Premium travel cards often elevate their welcome bonuses for the Black Friday/Cyber Monday period. Cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa, Scotiabank Passport Visa, and Amex Cobalt frequently offer elevated first-year bonuses during this period. These offers are time-limited.
Fintech Signup Bonuses
Digital banks and fintechs (KOHO, Wealthsimple, EQ Bank) often run their most aggressive referral promotions in November. KOHO's $100 bonus with code 45ET55JSYA is one of the most straightforward: no spending minimum, just open the account and the bonus is credited.
RRSP/TFSA Contribution Rate Bonuses
Some banks offer elevated promotional HISA rates for new TFSA or RRSP deposits during the November–December RRSP contribution season. These typically run for 3–6 months before reverting to the standard rate.
How to Maximize Black Friday Banking Deals
Compare Before You Click
Check bremo.io/bank-bonus-canada.html for a current comparison of all Canadian bank bonuses before committing to one offer.
Read the Fine Print
Welcome bonuses usually require direct deposit setup, minimum balance, or minimum spend. Make sure requirements fit your situation before applying.
Don't Apply for Too Many Cards
Each credit card application triggers a hard inquiry. Limit yourself to 1–2 new applications per 6-month period to protect your credit score.
Stack Offers
Open a bank account for its welcome bonus AND a new credit card for its welcome offer — as long as requirements for both are manageable simultaneously.
Set Calendar Reminders
Note minimum holding periods and cancel-fee windows. Cancel annual-fee cards before the fee renews if you don't want to keep them long-term.
Don't Overspend to Hit Bonuses
If a credit card requires $3,000 spend in 3 months for the bonus, only get it if you would naturally spend that amount — redirect existing spending, don't create new spending.
Best Canadian Credit Cards for Holiday Shopping 2025
If you're going to spend on Black Friday, use a card that maximizes rewards on your purchases:
- Best grocery/everyday: Amex Cobalt — 5x points on food and drink, elevated welcome offer in November
- Best cash back: Tangerine Money-Back Mastercard — 2% on up to 3 categories, no annual fee
- Best travel: Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite — no foreign transaction fees + Scene+ points; often elevated Black Friday welcome offer
- Best no-fee prepaid (for staying within budget): KOHO — earn cashback on purchases with no risk of overspending
Black Friday Budgeting Tip
Before Black Friday, set a firm spending budget and pre-load that amount to a KOHO prepaid card. You can earn cashback on purchases but cannot overspend beyond what you've loaded. This prevents the most common Black Friday mistake: buying things you didn't plan to buy because they were "on sale."
Frequently Asked Questions
The Best Black Friday Banking Deal
$100 cash bonus. No spending requirement. Just open a KOHO account using code 45ET55JSYA. Available now.
Get $100 with KOHO →