Open an account in 3 steps
Choose an account
Select the type of account that better suit your needs: RRSP, cash account, margin account, TFSA, etc.
You already know?
Go to step 2.
You're not sure?
Let us help you decide which one is right for you.
Get your information together
View the list of requirements to open a registered account, a non-registered account or a special account.
Call us or complete the online form
For personalized assistance call one of our dedicated agents at 1‑800‑363-3522.
For an online request, complete, print and sign the form and send it to us by mail or bring it to a National Bank branch. Your account will be opened in 24 to 48 hours. You will then receive an email with further instructions.
Transfer your investments to NBDB
Do you have investments or brokerage accounts at another financial institution? Transferring your assets to NBDB is easy—and it pays off!
- Based on the amount transferred, we will reimburse all or part of the transfer fee.
- There's no need to sell your investments and you can continue trading.
Did you know?
With a systematic savings plan, you can set up weekly, bi-monthly or monthly transfers. This strategy lets you save at your own pace (minimum transfer: $25).
Why should you consolidate your assets?
By consolidating all of your assets at the same financial institution, you can reduce your annual fees, enjoy better pricing (on commissions and tools, depending on how often you trade) and streamline your account management.
Simply choose which type(s) of account you want to open and complete the corresponding form(s) online. As soon as you receive email confirmation that your account is open, you can transfer your funds.
The fine print
For brokerage accounts:
- Your full name (as it appears on official identity documents)
- Your date of birth
- Your full home and mailing address
- Your job title and the full address of your employer
- Telephone numbers where we can reach you
- Your social insurance number (SIN)
- Your bank account information (provide a void cheque). You can also link a bank account held at another financial institution.
For accounts with spousal contributions (RRSP or RRIF):
- The full name of your spouse (as it appears on official identity documents)
- His or her date of birth
- His or her social insurance number (SIN)
For RESP accounts:
- The full name of the beneficiary (as it appears on official identity documents)
- The beneficiary's date of birth
- The beneficiary's home address
- The beneficiary's social insurance number, to apply for federal grants and provincial ones in certain provinces (an RESP cannot be opened without the beneficiary's SIN)
Submitting the account opening documents
*Note for clients who don't have a printer: You can request the account opening forms by mail.
For your account opening application to be processed, please send us the following within 25 days:
- The appropriate forms for your account type, duly signed.
- A copy of both sides of a recognized identity document: driver's licence, health insurance card (except for residents of Ontario, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island), permanent resident card, Canadian passport or birth certificate (if under 21 years of age).
You can send us the documents in two ways:
- Mail them to:
National Bank Direct Brokerage
1100 Robert-Bourassa Blvd., 7th Floor
Montreal, QC H3B 2G7
- Bring them to the National Bank branch of your choice. Find a branch.
N.B.: The opening of a brokerage account is subject to certain terms and conditions and must be approved by National Bank Direct Brokerage.
Processing times
The time it takes to open an account will depend on the type of account you choose.
For personal and joint accounts |
One business day (24 hours), if the information received is in order. If your bank account is not held at National Bank, your brokerage account will still be opened within 24 hours, but it will not be activated until all verifications are completed. |
For margin accounts and/or accounts with option trading |
3 business days (72 hours) following the receipt of the original, duly completed and signed account opening documents. Procedure: If you apply to open a margin account, a cash account will be opened pending receipt of the signed account opening documents. Once your margin account is opened (after verification), any cash and securities held in your cash account will be transferred to your margin account. |
For Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) |
You will not be able to make your first contribution until we have received all grant application forms. |
For personal and joint accounts |
One business day (24 hours), if the information received is in order. If your bank account is not held at National Bank, your brokerage account will still be opened within 24 hours, but it will not be activated until all verifications are completed. |
For margin accounts and/or accounts with option trading |
3 business days (72 hours) following the receipt of the original, duly completed and signed account opening documents. Procedure: If you apply to open a margin account, a cash account will be opened pending receipt of the signed account opening documents. Once your margin account is opened (after verification), any cash and securities held in your cash account will be transferred to your margin account. |
For Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) |
You will not be able to make your first contribution until we have received all grant application forms. |
N.B.: The opening of a brokerage account is subject to certain conditions and must be approved by National Bank Direct Brokerage.
Technical support
New client?
Contact one of our Technical Support Specialists at 1-800-363-3511 - option 4 - Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ET) to get a username and password.
Already a client?
Ready to open an account?
You can complete the steps online or call us for assistance.
