CIBC is one of Canada's Big Five banks, serving millions of personal and business clients across the country. When it comes to Interac e-Transfers, CIBC stands out for having one of the highest monthly sending caps among major banks at $30,000, but it also charges one of the steepest per-transfer fees if you are on a basic chequing account.
Here is a detailed breakdown of CIBC's e-Transfer limits, fees, and what you can do to send more when standard limits are not enough.
In this guide
CIBC Interac e-Transfer Limits
CIBC sets its Interac e-Transfer limits at $3,000 per transaction and $3,000 per day for standard personal chequing accounts. These daily limits are on par with most other Big Five banks. Where CIBC differs is in its rolling caps: the bank allows up to $10,000 per week and $30,000 per month, which is among the most generous monthly allowances you will find at a major Canadian bank.
These limits apply to money you send. There is no limit on how much you can receive through Interac e-Transfer at CIBC. If you are a freelancer or small business owner collecting payments from clients, this means incoming transfers will never be blocked by a cap on your end.
| Limit Type | Personal | Business |
|---|---|---|
| Per Transfer | $3,000 | $25,000 |
| Daily | $3,000 | $25,000 |
| Weekly (7 days) | $10,000 | — |
| Monthly (30 days) | $30,000 | — |
| Receiving (per transfer) | $25,000 | |
Limits shown are defaults for standard accounts and may vary by account type. Dash (—) means the bank does not publish a separate limit for that period. Last verified March 2026.
CIBC e-Transfer Fees
CIBC's standard fee is $1.50 per Interac e-Transfer, but it is waived on a wide range of CIBC chequing accounts. Per CIBC's official fee schedule, the $1.50 fee does not apply on:
- CIBC Smart Account
- CIBC Everyday Chequing Account
- CIBC Smart Start
- CIBC Advantage for Youth
- CIBC Smart for Students
- CIBC 60 Plus Advantage
- CIBC Advantage for Students
And separately: clients aged 65 and older do not pay the e-Transfer fee on any CIBC chequing account. CIBC also charges a $3.50 stop-transaction fee if you cancel a scheduled e-Transfer.
That puts CIBC closer to its Big Five peers than the $1.50 headline suggests — on the most common chequing accounts, the fee is zero. The standard $1.50 charge is mostly relevant on legacy or non-listed accounts. If you are on one of those, CIBC's own digital brand Simplii Financial offers completely free e-Transfers with no monthly fee.
Receiving e-Transfers is always free at CIBC, regardless of your account type.
Check whether your account is on the waiver list
If you are on a CIBC chequing account that is not in the list above, the $1.50 per-transfer fee applies. Switching to the Smart Account or Everyday Chequing Account waives it. Clients 65 and older never pay the fee on any chequing account.
How to Increase Your CIBC e-Transfer Limit
If the standard $3,000 daily limit is not sufficient, you have a few options to increase your CIBC e-Transfer limit:
- Call CIBC at 1-800-465-2422. A banking advisor can increase your daily and per-transaction e-Transfer limits over the phone. Have your account details ready and be prepared to answer security questions.
- Visit a CIBC branch. You can request a limit increase in person at any CIBC branch. Bring valid government-issued identification.
- Upgrade to a CIBC business account. Business accounts support significantly higher per-transaction and daily limits. If you regularly need to send amounts above $3,000, a business account is the most practical long-term solution.
Keep in mind that CIBC may review your account history and standing before approving a limit increase. Accounts with a longer track record and higher balances are more likely to be approved for elevated limits.
CIBC Interac e-Transfer Not Working
If your CIBC e-Transfer is failing or stuck in a pending state, here are the most common issues and how to resolve them:
- Daily or weekly limit reached. Even if you have funds available, CIBC enforces strict rolling limits. If you have already sent $3,000 today, you will need to wait until the next day. Check your remaining limit in CIBC Online Banking or the CIBC Mobile Banking app.
- Incorrect recipient details. A wrong email address or phone number is the most frequent cause of failed transfers. Verify the recipient's contact information before retrying.
- Recipient has Autodeposit with another bank. If the recipient registered their email for Autodeposit at a different financial institution, the transfer will route there instead. The security question becomes irrelevant in this case.
- Fraud hold or account restriction. CIBC's fraud monitoring may temporarily block e-Transfers if unusual activity is detected. Contact CIBC at 1-800-465-2422 to clear the hold.
- Interac system outage. Occasionally, the Interac network itself experiences downtime. Check interac.ca for service updates. Be cautious of any unsolicited messages about e-Transfer issues, as e-Transfer scams are increasingly common.
How Long Does a CIBC e-Transfer Take?
When the recipient has Autodeposit enabled, CIBC e-Transfers typically arrive within minutes. Without Autodeposit, the recipient must accept the transfer by answering the security question, and the money usually appears within 30 minutes of acceptance.
CIBC allows pending e-Transfers to remain available for up to 30 days before they expire and the funds are returned to your account. If a transfer has been pending for an unusually long time, remind the recipient to check their email (including spam folders) or contact CIBC at 1-800-465-2422.
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Get Started FreeHow to Cancel a CIBC e-Transfer
You can cancel a pending Interac e-Transfer at CIBC as long as the recipient has not yet deposited the funds:
- Log in to CIBC Online Banking or the CIBC Mobile Banking app.
- Go to Transfers and locate the pending e-Transfer.
- Select Cancel and confirm.
Once the recipient has deposited the transfer, or if they have Autodeposit enabled, the transfer cannot be cancelled. You will need to contact the recipient directly to arrange a return. CIBC does not reverse deposited e-Transfers.
CIBC Business e-Transfer Limits
CIBC business accounts come with substantially higher e-Transfer limits than personal accounts, making them a better fit for freelancers, contractors, and micro-business owners who process larger payments. Business accounts also include additional features like the ability to send e-Transfer requests and manage multiple authorized users.
CIBC's $30,000 monthly cap works in your favour
With one of the highest monthly e-Transfer limits among the Big Five, CIBC personal accounts can handle a substantial volume of incoming payments before you need to consider a business account upgrade.
How CIBC Compares to Other Banks
CIBC's per-transaction and daily limits of $3,000 are standard across the Big Five, matching RBC, TD, BMO, and Scotiabank, but its $30,000 monthly cap is higher than most. The trade-off is the $1.50 per-transfer fee on basic accounts — the steepest among major banks. If cost is your priority, fee-free alternatives like Tangerine, Simplii Financial (owned by CIBC), EQ Bank, or Wealthsimple are all worth considering. See our full Canadian e-Transfer fees comparison for the complete breakdown. Here is how CIBC compares to every major Canadian bank:
| Bank | Per Transfer | Daily | Monthly | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC | $3,000 | $10,000 | — | Free |
| TD | $3,000 | $3,000 | $20,000 | Free |
| Scotiabank | $3,000 | $3,000 | — | $1.00 |
| BMO | $3,000 | $3,000 | $20,000 | Free |
| CIBC (this page) | $3,000 | $3,000 | $30,000 | $1.50 |
| Tangerine | $3,000 | $3,000 | $20,000 | Free |
| Simplii Financial | $3,000 | $3,000 | $30,000 | Free |
| EQ Bank | $5,000 | $5,000 | $50,000 | Free |
| Wealthsimple | $25,000 | $25,000 | — | Free |
| National Bank | $4,000 | $4,000 | — | $1.25 |
| Desjardins | $5,000 | $5,000 | — | Varies |
| ATB Financial | $5,000 | $5,000 | $150,000 | Free |
Limits shown are defaults for standard personal accounts. See our complete bank comparison for full details. Last verified March 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CIBC Interac e-Transfer limit?
CIBC allows up to $3,000 per 24-hour period, $10,000 per 7-day period, and $30,000 per 30-day period. CIBC's monthly cap is among the higher limits in the Big Five.
Does CIBC charge for e-Transfers?
CIBC charges $1.50 per Interac e-Transfer, but this fee is waived on the Smart Account, Everyday Chequing Account, Smart Start, Advantage for Youth, Smart for Students, 60 Plus Advantage, and Advantage for Students. Clients aged 65 and older never pay the fee on any CIBC chequing account.
How do I increase my CIBC e-Transfer limit?
Call CIBC at 1-800-465-2422 or visit a branch. Upgrading to the Smart Account or a higher-tier plan also waives the per-transfer fee.
How long does a CIBC e-Transfer take?
With Autodeposit, transfers arrive within minutes. Standard transfers are typically available within 30 minutes.
Can I cancel a CIBC e-Transfer?
Yes, cancel through CIBC Online Banking or the CIBC Mobile Banking app before the recipient deposits. A $3.50 stop-transaction fee applies.
Related guides
- Interac e-Transfer Limits in Canada (2026): Every Major Bank Compared
- Interac e-Transfer Fees in Canada (2026): Every Bank Compared
- How to Spot Fake Interac e-Transfer Emails (2026 Scam Guide)
- GST/HST Guide for Canadian Small Businesses
- RBC Interac e-Transfer Limit Guide
- TD Interac e-Transfer Limit Guide
- Scotiabank Interac e-Transfer Limit Guide
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. While we strive to keep this content accurate and up to date, we make no guarantees about its completeness or reliability. Always consult your bank, a qualified professional, or the relevant authority for advice specific to your situation. Last updated May 2026.