DEFAULT ONLINE · BUSINESS BANKING · ALBERTA

Default online. Walk-in on request.

BITRAGE.AI defaults every customer to an all-online business account. Three online options below — pick the one that matches your style. Walk-in to a branch is available if you ask for it. Same opening package either way (articles, GST/CRA Business Number letter, ID requirements, signing authority, initial deposit guidance).

Disclosure. Path A (RBC business banking via the Ownr incorporation flow) is the default because of the $300 cashback and because most customers prefer to handle incorporation + banking in one wizard. BITRAGE.AI receives no commission from any bank for the account itself. We do earn a small referral fee from Ownr if you incorporate through our partner link (which is what unlocks the RBC $300 cashback). You are not locked in — Float (Path B), EQ Bank (Path C, coming soon), or any other Canadian bank are all valid choices. Bank selection is your decision.
DEFAULT · ONLINE · RBC + OWNR
RBC Royal Bank business banking (via the Ownr flow)
Opened during the same Ownr incorporation wizard. National scale, full digital tools, $300 cashback offer.
~20 min
Online application paired with incorporation; account active in 1-3 business days. Standard RBC business chequing fees apply.
+ $300 CAD cashback when you open an RBC business account within 60 days of registering with Ownr.
  • ✓ Opened in the same flow as your incorporation — no second wizard
  • ✓ Active in 1-3 business days alongside your corp filing
  • ✓ National scale — branches in every Alberta city if you ever want walk-in service later
  • ✓ Full digital tools: RBC Online Banking for Business, e-Transfer, mobile cheque deposit, business credit card lineup
  • ✓ Direct path to overdraft, business loan, GICs, merchant services as you grow
  • ✓ Plaid / Flinks bank-feed integration into Wave Accounting
  • ⚠ Standard business chequing monthly fee ($6-25 depending on tier; first 3-12 months often waived)
Start the Ownr+RBC flow →
ONLINE · FINTECH · NO MONTHLY FEE
Float Financial (Canadian fintech)
CAD + USD accounts in one app. Open in 15 min. No monthly fees on the basic tier.
~15 min
Online application, ID verification by camera, debit card mailed in days
  • ✓ Fully online — no branch visit
  • ✓ CAD and USD accounts in one dashboard (great for selling on Stripe)
  • ✓ Open API — your bank balance auto-syncs to the BITRAGE.AI runway endpoint
  • ✓ Founder-friendly fee structure — $0 monthly on basic tier
  • ✓ e-Transfer, virtual cards, expense tracking included
  • ⚠ No $300 RBC cashback (that requires the Ownr+RBC path)
  • ⚠ Newer institution — not the right fit if you need overdraft, business loans, or rural community trust
Open Float account →
ONLINE · COMING SOON
EQ Bank Small Business
Online application, real bank with deposit insurance, GICs and business savings at competitive rates.
~20 min
Online application, 1-3 business days for approval. $0 monthly on basic Business Account, $5 on Pro.
  • ✓ Fully online — like Float, no branch visit needed
  • ✓ Real bank with CDIC deposit insurance
  • ✓ Competitive interest on business savings + access to GICs
  • ✓ Plaid integration via Wave for bank feeds
  • ✓ $0 monthly fee on basic Business Account
  • ⚠ No $300 RBC cashback (RBC-specific)
  • ⚠ Less open API than Float — relies on CSV export + Plaid
Request EQ Bank path →
ON REQUEST · WALK-IN
Print + walk into the bank of your choice
For customers who specifically prefer in-person account opening or want a community bank/credit union.
30-60 min
In-person account opening at the branch you choose
  • ✓ Pick any bank — RBC, ATB, Servus, Scotia, BMO, CIBC, TD, National Bank, local credit union, etc.
  • ✓ Print-ready: articles + GST registration letter + ID requirements + signing authority form + initial deposit cheque template
  • ✓ Step-by-step appointment prep — what to bring, what they'll ask, how to push back on upsells
  • ✓ Local relationship — branch staff who know your business name when you walk in
  • ⚠ Slower than online — typically 2-5 business days for full activation
  • ⚠ Most banks charge $5-25/mo on top of transaction fees
Request the walk-in path →

If you request the walk-in path — bank options to compare

BITRAGE.AI is bank-agnostic. Here are the most common Alberta SMB choices we see customers pick. The opening package works for any of them. Walk-in is a deliberate choice — most customers go online for speed.

ATB FinancialAlberta-only Crown corp · strong Edmonton-metro presence · founder-friendly
Servus Credit UnionMember-owned · profit-share dividend · rural Alberta strong
RBC Royal BankNational scale · solid digital tools · default if you used Ownr for incorp
ScotiabankStrong USD + international transfers · good for businesses with US clients
BMONewcomer-friendly · good business credit card lineup
TD Canada TrustLong branch hours · easy student-business transition
CIBCStrong small business support · CIBC SmartBanking for Business
National BankQuebec roots · expanding AB presence · competitive small business fees
Stony Plain / Spruce Grove credit unionsHyper-local relationships · acreage corridor preferred

Side-by-side

What you compareDefault · RBC + OwnrOnline · FloatOnline · EQ BankOn request · Walk-in
Time to open~20 min online (+1-3 days)~15 min online~20 min online (+1-3 days)30-60 min in-branch (+2-5 days)
Monthly account fee$6-25 (often waived 3-12 mo)$0 on basic tier$0 basic / $5 Pro$5-25 typical
$300 RBC cashbackYesNoNoOnly if walking into RBC
USD accountAvailable, separate accountBuilt inAvailableBank-dependent
Branch accessYes (RBC national)NoneNoneYes
Overdraft / loansFull accessLimitedLimitedBank-dependent
Bank-feed integrationPlaid / Flinks via WaveOpen API + PlaidPlaid via WavePlaid / Flinks via Wave
Our recommendationDefault for everyoneIf you want USD + zero feesIf you want a real bank without RBCOnly if you ask for it

What goes in the opening package (either path)

Both paths receive the same generated documents. Path A gets digital uploads; Path B gets a printed binder.