Wise launches Chequing Account as Canadians live increasingly global lives

• Wise Chequing Account has no monthly fees and comes with free Interac e-Transfer^Ⓡ* options, eligibility for CDIC insurance^**, and Group Spend
• Chequing Account launches with promotions for customers including activity-based bonuses and a Double Payday promotion where each month for the next year 5 customers can double their paycheque, up to $5,000
• This comes as new research from Wise finds more than half (53%) of Canadians share they manage at least one international financial activity as part of their daily lives

TORONTO, Sept. 14, 2026 /CNW/ -- Wise is today launching its Chequing Account in Canada, with new features designed for people and businesses whose financial lives span borders. The move comes as Canadians are looking for smarter ways to manage their money both at home and abroad as they increasingly juggle multiple providers. The Chequing Account introduces several new features for Canadian customers, including free Interac e-Transfer^®* options, eligibility for CDIC insurance^**, and Group Spend. Wise is also offering the highest return in market on USD for all Canadians through the Chequing Account, following the introduction of Interest^*** earlier this year.

This launch addresses growing financial frustration among Canadians. According to new research from Wise, more than half (54%) of Canadians use more financial services and tools today than they did five years ago. This isn't making life easier, as 45% of Canadians say managing their money has become more complicated and over a third (35%) note switching between multiple financial providers is frustrating.

Balancing different providers comes from navigating many needs, and Canadians are increasingly spending more time -- and money -- internationally. More than half (53%) of Canadians shared they manage at least one international financial activity as part of their daily lives, spanning travel, global shopping, holding foreign currencies and sending money abroad.

Vinay Nilakantan, Head of Product for North America at Wise, said: "Canadians shouldn't need one account for life at home and another for life internationally. We're building a new kind of chequing account for people and businesses in Canada so they don't need to use different providers in order to meet their everyday money management needs. Now, they can simply use the Wise Chequing Account."

New features for Canadians at home and abroad

The Wise Chequing Account includes new features that make it easier for people and businesses in Canada to manage and move money no matter where they are in the world:

• Free Interac e-Transfer^Ⓡ* Options: Canadian and global customers funding their CAD balance using Interac e-Transfer^Ⓡ* or sending CAD to an Interac alias can now do so for free.
• CDIC Insurance^**: Chequing Account balances are now eligible for CDIC deposit insurance up to $100,000 on all currencies held with Wise.
• Group Spend: Set up a group of family and friends on Wise to pool money in a central balance for easy spending on bills, travel and more.
• Double Payday + Account Bonus: Wise is offering limited time promotions to reward customers using Wise for everyday money needs, including activity-based bonuses for using the Chequing Account and a Double Payday promotion where every month for the next year Wise will randomly pick 5 lucky customers to get their first paycheque of the month doubled (up to $5,000) if they receive their direct deposit in the Chequing Account. See more here^{^}.

Building on the success of Wise's existing offerings to meet Canadians' needs
Wise's research found Canadians managing multiple providers are looking for lower fees (28%), better savings options (25%), and better interest rates (24%). The Wise Chequing Account is built to address those needs. Plus, 43% of Canadians say growing their money or earning more on their savings is a top financial priority over the next year. Earlier this year, Wise became the first provider in Canada to enable customers to earn a return on balances held across multiple currencies -- USD, GBP, EUR and CAD -- with instant access to funds within one consolidated account^***. And with Interest there's no promotional rates and no minimum balances customers must hold, making it even more convenient.

In addition, the Wise Chequing Account comes with local account details in CAD and other currencies, including over 20 currencies for receiving money. Pre-authorized debits can be set up easily for recurring payments like streaming services or energy providers. Customers can also send money to 70+ countries or spend it at the mid-market rate with no hidden fees. With Wise 77% of all global payments arrive instantly in under 20 seconds^{^^}.

Celebrate the Chequing Account with a branch pop-up experience in Toronto 
To mark the launch of the Chequing Account, Wise is opening its first-ever Canadian pop-up branch on September 14 at Toronto's Eaton Centre, which runs until October 11. The pop-up branch will bring the Wise Chequing Account to life, giving people in Canada -- especially newcomers -- the chance to meet Wise experts, get hands-on support with opening and using their account, and access a range of exclusive experiences and offers. To celebrate the global connections that are part of Canadians' everyday lives, new and existing Wise customers can pick up some of their favourite snacks and drinks from around the world for free. They will also be eligible to enter a branch-exclusive a branch-exclusive weekly drawing for the chance to win $10,000 CAD to use for travel to see family or bring them to Canada to visit.

^*Interac e-Transfer and the Interac Logo are trademarks of Interac Corp. Used under license.

^**Wise is not a CDIC member institution, however your eligible deposits are held in trust with a CDIC member institution, and you have been designated as a beneficiary. As such, if the institution fails, your funds are eligible for CDIC deposit protection up to $100,000 when CDIC trust disclosure requirements are met. It is our responsibility to meet these disclosure requirements for your automatic protection. cdic.ca/depositors/whats-covered/fintechs/. CDIC limits apply per beneficiary and are subject to CDIC rules, which may aggregate deposits held at the same member institution.

^***To find out more about Wise's Interest feature in Canada, please visit http://www.wise.com/ca/interest 

^{^}Promo open to Canadian residents with qualifying activity between 9/14/26 -10/11/26. 4 winners per month; odds depend on total entries. Skill test required. Void where prohibited. See official rules for details. For Double Payday: promo open to Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) with qualifying activity between 9/14/26 - 9/13/27. 5 winners per month; odds depend on total entries. Skill test required. Void where prohibited. See official rules for details.

^{^^}In Q2 2026, 77%of transfers were instant (under 20 seconds). Find out more https://wise.com/gb/blog/q2-2026-mission-update-speed

Wise is not a Bank. Wise Canada is registered with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) as a Money Service Business (MSB Registration No. M151933392) and is registered with the Bank of Canada as a Payment Service Provider under the Retail Payments Activities Act. Registration is not an approval, endorsement, or guarantee of Wise Canada's products or services.

Your Funds are held in a segregated account in accordance with the requirements of the Retail Payment Activity Act. This means your funds are kept separate from Wise Canada's own operating funds. Safeguarding is not equivalent to deposit insurance.

Research methodology: These findings are from a survey conducted by Wise from August 18th to August 20th, 2026, among a representative sample of 1500 online adult Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

About Wise
Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world's money.

With Wise Account and Wise Business, people and businesses can hold 40+ currencies, move money between countries and spend money abroad. Large companies and banks use Wise technology too; an entirely new network for the world's money.

In the financial year 2026, Wise supported around 19 million people and businesses, processing over $240 billion in cross-border transactions and saving customers over $3 billion.

Media Contact: Samantha Krupa‑Carbone, [email protected]

SOURCE WISE