Online Account Opening
General FAQs
Prospect members want a digital application process that allows them to easily and quickly open a bank account from their convenience.
New retail members (no business accounts or existing members) and individual accounts (no joint accounts) that are interested in opening a chequing and/or savings account.
Please note existing members can open new accounts such as a savings account or term deposits here.
By opening an account at Vancity, you’re becoming a member of our credit union. $5 from your first deposit will go towards your membership shares and there will be no service charge. That makes you a shareholder, which means you have a say in how our credit union operates.
To open an account, find the chequing account or High Interest Savings Account (HISA) that’s right for you and simply select “Open an account”. You’ll be asked to complete a secure online application. It should take you about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
Choose from one of our chequing accounts:
E-Package Chequing
Our most popular account.
- $9.75 monthly fee or $0 with a daily minimum balance of $1,500*
- Free unlimited Everyday Debit, Online, and Mobile Transactions*
- Free Interac e-Transfers®
- Deposits are 100% insured by the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation (CUDIC)
Pay As You Go Chequing
Great if you don’t make transactions frequently.
- No monthly fee; only pay for what you need
- Free Vancity Mobile Deposit™
- Free online bill payments
- Deposits are 100% insured by the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation (CUDIC)
Or, open a High Interest Savings Account (HISA)
Jumpstart™ High-Interest Savings
Save and earn.
- Earn our highest savings account rate
- Free Vancity Mobile Deposit™
- Free online and automated telephone service transfers between Vancity accounts
- Deposits are 100% insured by the Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation (CUDIC)
TFSA, RRSP, and other registered investment versions of this account can be opened by booking an appointment.
You can open up to 2 accounts during the initial Online Account Opening process.
Getting Started
Complete your online application here using your web browser on a mobile phone, desktop, and/or tablet.
While we recommend using the latest version of a web browser, the minimum version requirements to open an Online Account include:
- Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge – Version 100 or above
- Safari – Version 15 or above
Using one of recommended version of the web browsers listed above will ensure you’re getting the best experience.
Opening an account online is quick and easy. Complete the application in 5 to 10 minutes. Plus, you could be approved on the spot.
To open an account online at Vancity, you need to:
- Be a resident of British Columbia
- Be 19 years of age or older
- Have a Social Insurance Number
- Have either a BC driver’s license, BC services card, Certificate of Indian Status, or similar BC ID) — and a mobile device for identity verification
- Be opening an account for yourself, not for a third-party
- British Columbia (BC) Driver’s License
- British Columbia (BC) Driver’s License and Services Card
- British Columbia (BC) Services Card
- British Columbia (BC) Identity Card
- British Columbia (BC) Notice Driver’s License
- British Columbia (BC) Learner Driver’s License
- British Columbia (BC) Enhanced Driver’s License
- British Columbia (BC) Enhanced Identity Card
- British Columbia (BC) Enhanced Card
- British Columbia (BC) License Card
- British Columbia (BC) Identification Card
- Indian Status Card
Note- Canadian Passports are not currently eligible.
You’ll know your account was successfully opened when you receive a confirmation email from us that says your application’s been approved and an email to activate your online banking.
Approved applicants will receive a Congratulations email that outlines the account they have recently opened and next steps.
Approved members are provided several next steps including:
- Instructions on how to fund the account
- A Member Card Number and directions on how to use it to access online banking; and
- Instructions to download Vancity’s mobile app (available for both iPhone and Android).
Members can use e-Transfer, mobile deposit within the Vancity app, member to member transfers or visit a branch. Once members receive their member card, deposits can be made using an ATM Machine.
The application process is completely online, no need to send us anything.
Yes – if you choose to open an online account, your data will be secure.
For applicants who decide to open an online account with Vancity, your data will be securely shared with Vancity’s partner, ThirdStream. Thirdstream does not store any personal identification details.
Troubleshooting FAQs
When a technical error occurs with the Online Account Opening application, the applicant will be prompted with an error screen. If an applicant encounters an error they can try again or book an account opening appointment at the branch or over the phone.
There are several reasons an online account application may be declined or placed ‘In Review”. These reasons include fraud and credit concerns, identity verification issues, or system errors. For security reasons, we are unable to disclose specific reasons as to why your application was declined or placed in review.
For security reasons, the application will time out after 20 minutes. When a timeout error occurs, you will be prompted with a time’s up screen and all progress will be lost. As a result, the applicant will have to start a new application.
To close your account, contact us by calling our Member Services Centre or visit us at one of our branches.