FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Study: Average Canadian Missing Out on $3,000+ in Free Signup Bonuses

Bremo analysis reveals Canadians could claim thousands in uncollected bank bonuses, credit card rewards, and promotional offers by switching to the right financial products.

TORONTO, March 23, 2026 -- A new analysis by Bremo (https://bremo.io), Canada's largest personal finance comparison platform, has found that the average Canadian is leaving more than $3,000 in free signup bonuses and promotional rewards unclaimed each year. The study examined every publicly available bank bonus, credit card welcome offer, and investment promotion across all major Canadian financial institutions.

KEY FINDINGS:

-- The total value of all currently available signup bonuses across Canadian financial institutions exceeds $47,000
-- An average Canadian household qualifies for at least $3,000 in bonuses by opening new accounts and credit cards they would use regardless
-- The top five highest-value bonuses currently available to Canadians are:
   1. CIBC Smart Plus Account: Up to $850 in cash bonuses
   2. BMO Performance Chequing: Up to $800 in cash bonuses
   3. Scotiabank Ultimate Package: Up to $700 in combined value
   4. TD Unlimited Chequing: Up to $650 in cash bonuses
   5. RBC No Limit Banking: Up to $600 in combined value
-- 73 percent of Canadians have never switched their primary bank account, according to industry estimates
-- The average Canadian keeps the same chequing account for 14 years, missing dozens of promotional cycles
-- Newcomers to Canada have access to an additional $1,500+ in newcomer-specific welcome packages that most never claim
-- Digital banks like EQ Bank, Neo Financial, and Wealthsimple collectively offer over $500 in bonuses that require no minimum balance

MOST OVERLOOKED PROGRAMS:

The Bremo analysis identified several categories of bonuses that Canadians routinely miss:

1. Referral Bonuses: Most major banks pay $25 to $100 for each successful referral. A single consumer referring friends and family could earn $500 or more per year from referral programs alone.

2. Credit Card Welcome Offers: Premium credit cards routinely offer 50,000 to 100,000 bonus points upon meeting a minimum spend threshold, with some offers worth $500 or more in travel or cash back.

3. Savings Account Promotional Rates: Several institutions offer 5 percent or higher promotional interest rates on new savings deposits for three to six months, worth hundreds of dollars on a $100 deposit.

4. Investment Platform Bonuses: Robo-advisors and self-directed brokerages offer $50 to $300 in free cash or trades for opening new accounts and transferring assets.

5. Bundle Bonuses: Banks offer enhanced bonuses of $200 to $500 for customers who open multiple products simultaneously, such as a chequing account, savings account, and credit card.

"Most Canadians assume their bank is giving them the best deal, but our data shows the opposite," said a Bremo team spokesperson. "Financial institutions spend billions on customer acquisition, and that money goes directly into the pockets of consumers who take five minutes to compare offers. The real cost of loyalty is measured in thousands of dollars of missed bonuses."

METHODOLOGY:

Bremo researchers compiled and verified every publicly available signup bonus, welcome offer, and promotional rate from 25+ Canadian financial institutions between January and March 2026. Values were calculated based on standard consumer profiles and minimum qualification requirements. All figures represent the maximum available value and individual results may vary based on eligibility and province of residence.

ABOUT BREMO:

Bremo (https://bremo.io) is Canada's most comprehensive personal finance comparison platform. Founded in 2025, Bremo aggregates signup bonuses, credit card rewards, savings rates, GIC rates, investment promotions, and financial guides from every major Canadian financial institution. The platform serves millions of Canadians looking to maximize their financial products, providing daily-updated comparisons, province-specific guides, and in-depth reviews -- all completely free.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Bremo Media Relations
press@bremo.io
https://bremo.io/press

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