Complete banking guide for Montreal's South Shore — Longueuil, Boucherville, Saint-Lambert, Greenfield Park, Brossard, and beyond. REM-connected, no Montreal surtax.
Get KOHO Free — Code 45ET55JSYAMontreal's South Shore (Rive-Sud) refers to the municipalities south of the St. Lawrence River and south of the Pont Champlain and Victoria Bridge crossing points. The South Shore encompasses a wide range of communities from densely urban Longueuil to quiet riverfront villages in the Montérégie.
The most prominent South Shore communities in the Greater Montreal context include:
Key fact: None of these South Shore communities charge the Montreal welcome tax surtax. All use the standard Quebec 4-bracket formula.
KOHO offers zero monthly fees, full bilingual (French/English) support, cash back on everyday spending, and a 3% savings rate on Premium. Perfect for South Shore residents who want to minimize banking costs while living in one of Montreal's most desirable areas. Use code 45ET55JSYA.
Get KOHO FreeEQ Bank's 3%+ everyday savings rate beats all major banks. For South Shore homeowners with significant equity, or buyers building a down payment, EQ Bank's no-fee high-interest savings account is an excellent tool for maximizing liquid savings.
Desjardins has an extensive branch network across the South Shore — in Longueuil, Boucherville, Saint-Lambert, Brossard, and smaller communities. Unlimited AMF deposit insurance, local mortgage expertise for the South Shore market, and full bilingual service make Desjardins the primary choice for South Shore homebuyers and business owners.
National Bank is headquartered in Montreal and has strong South Shore branch representation. Their mortgage products, investment services, and private banking are well-suited to the South Shore's affluent demographic. Excellent bilingual service.
KOHO is available in French and English — perfect for South Shore residents. No monthly fees, cash back on everyday purchases, and easy to open online. Use code 45ET55JSYA for a sign-up bonus.
Get KOHO Free — Use Code 45ET55JSYAThe REM (Réseau express métropolitain) has significantly improved transit connectivity for South Shore residents. The South Shore branch of the REM runs from downtown Montreal through Brossard, making it one of the most important transit infrastructure upgrades in the Montreal region in decades.
Properties near REM stations — particularly in Brossard and the surrounding area — have seen increased demand and price appreciation since the line became operational. For banking purposes, this means South Shore buyers near the REM corridor may need to borrow more to purchase in competitive areas, while still benefiting from no Montreal surtax on the welcome tax.
| Purchase Price | South Shore (Standard QC) | City of Montreal | South Shore Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 | $6,389 | $6,389 | $0 |
| $700,000 | $10,064 | $11,314 | $1,250 |
| $900,000 | $13,064 | $15,064 | $2,000 |
| $1,200,000 | $17,064 | $20,564 | $3,500 |
Yes. The Montreal welcome tax surtax only applies within the administrative boundaries of the City of Montreal. All South Shore municipalities — Longueuil, Boucherville, Saint-Lambert, Brossard, Varennes, etc. — use the standard Quebec formula.
The South Shore REM branch currently terminates at the Rive-Sud station in Brossard. Check the REM Montréal website for current stations, schedules, and planned expansions.
Both are strong choices. Desjardins offers unlimited AMF deposit insurance and deep local market knowledge. National Bank offers strong Quebec expertise and competitive mortgage products. A mortgage broker can help you compare current rates from both.
No fees, bilingual support — KOHO works across all South Shore communities.
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