This has been my primary banking institution for over 40 years, the last 10 remotely from Deep…read moreRiver Ontario and Saskatoon SK. Great people in a great institution. Minimal banking fees and above average interest rates. Highly recommend.

Parama is the best kept secret in banking in Toronto!!…read more Why would you continue banking with one of the big banks when you can get all this from Parama for free, on a clear conscience? It's a small, community based credit union, and of course you have a say in how it's run. And also you get returned a share of the profits! In 2013, they returned something like $250,000 to their members. I originally signed up to this bank because I saw a sign that said they offer free chequing while passing by on the Bloor night bus. I think one of the reasons that this place is a secret is because the hundreds of thousands of people passing underneath it every day don't see this sign. Here are some of the things you get for free that you don't get anywhere else: -Free certified cheques and Money Orders (!) -Free regular cheques -Free pretty much everything else! -Teller service, if you want it -Free use of The Exchange ATMs across the country; you probably have one around the corner and you don't even know it yet... -Only $2 to use Mastercard ATMs in any other country in the world - that's cheaper than they advertise! Potential barriers: -Both branches are in Etobicoke along the Bloor subway line. I live in Vancouver now, though, and that hasn't really stopped me from enjoying their services. -You have to buy a $40 share to join. But you would get the money back if you wanted to leave.

I've been banking with Bank of Montreal for many years. Recently, I was treated rudely (and for…read moreabsolutely no reason) by a loan officer at this branch. I'm a CFA and a registered CFP candidate, and I'm genuinely shocked that the BMO would allow people like this to represent them to the public. In response to my complaint about the service, I received a form-letter apology from the branch manager. I've since moved over to the TD Bank--long overdue move. They are great there.

I have been a long time member of this Credit Union, back in the stone age when I was a university…read morestudent. They provide excellent personal service, always willing to provide suggestions and helpful hints. It also helps that on those rare occassions when I have been overdrawn on my account they give me a ring, so I have the opportunity to get some funds into my chequing account so that a cheque doesn't bounce. I pay no service charges, there is an annual membership meeting, and they are open 7 days a week -- with really good hours. To those who care about things such as being able to purchase car insurance, life insurance, an umpteen different kind of currencies -- this isn't the place for you. It is a financial institution that works the way banks use to - with a person touch, focusing on banking and not selling a crap load of other non-banking services.

If you run a small business, this is the bank alternative for you!…read more Free cheques, free transactions, deposit free an any Exchange Network ATM. As of Jan 1, 2014 there is a cheque processing fee of $0.35 per debit, but it's still a lot cheaper than paying $6 - $10 - $35/month in bank charges to a bank. Friendly staff with easy internet banking access.