Desjardins is the largest federation of credit unions in North America and the dominant financial institution in Quebec. While it is often grouped alongside Canada's Big Five banks, Desjardins is technically a cooperative financial group, not a chartered bank. This distinction matters less for day-to-day banking than you might think -- Desjardins members have full access to Interac e-Transfers, and the institution offers the highest personal per-transaction limit of any major Canadian financial institution at $5,000.
Here is everything you need to know about Desjardins Interac e-Transfer limits, fees, and what to do when things are not working as expected.
In this guide
Desjardins Interac e-Transfer Limits
Desjardins sets a per-transaction limit of $5,000 and a daily sending limit of $5,000, which is the highest personal e-Transfer limit among major Canadian financial institutions. By comparison, most Big Five banks cap personal transfers at $3,000 per transaction.
One important detail that sets Desjardins apart from other institutions: the $5,000 limit is fixed and cannot be increased for personal accounts. At banks like RBC or TD, you can call to request a higher daily limit, but Desjardins does not offer this option. The $5,000 ceiling is the maximum, regardless of your account history or relationship with the institution.
Desjardins does not publicly disclose separate weekly or monthly e-Transfer caps for personal accounts. The daily limit of $5,000 is the primary constraint you will encounter.
| Limit Type | Personal | Business |
|---|---|---|
| Per Transfer | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Daily | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Weekly (7 days) | — | — |
| Monthly (30 days) | — | — |
| 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.
Fixed limit -- no exceptions
Unlike most banks where you can call to request a higher e-Transfer limit, Desjardins does not allow personal account holders to increase beyond $5,000 per day. If you need to send more, you will need to split the payment across multiple days or switch to a business account.
Desjardins e-Transfer Fees
Desjardins e-Transfer fees vary depending on your account type and the banking package you hold. Members with basic accounts may be charged a per-transaction fee for outgoing e-Transfers, while those with higher-tier packages often have e-Transfers included as part of their monthly plan.
Because Desjardins operates as a federation of local caisses (credit unions), fee structures can vary slightly between caisses. It is worth checking with your specific caisse or reviewing your account agreement for the exact cost. You can also log in to AccesD, Desjardins' online banking platform, to see your current fee schedule.
Receiving e-Transfers is always free at Desjardins, regardless of your account type.
Tip for self-employed members
If you receive client payments by e-Transfer, enable Autodeposit through AccesD so funds land in your account automatically. This eliminates the security question step and ensures you never lose a payment to an expired transfer.
How to Increase Your Desjardins e-Transfer Limit
The short answer is that you cannot increase your personal Interac e-Transfer limit at Desjardins. The $5,000 per-transaction and $5,000 daily caps are fixed for all personal accounts, and Desjardins does not offer exceptions or adjustments regardless of your account standing.
If you need to send more than $5,000, here are your options:
- Split the payment across multiple days. If you need to send $8,000, you can send $5,000 today and $3,000 tomorrow. This is the simplest workaround for occasional larger payments.
- Switch to a Desjardins business account. Business accounts support up to $10,000 per day, which doubles your sending capacity. If you are self-employed or run a small business, this is the most practical long-term solution.
- Use an alternative payment method. For very large payments, consider a wire transfer or bank draft through Desjardins. These carry higher fees but have no practical upper limit for most personal needs.
You can manage your account settings and view your current limits by logging in to AccesD online or through the Desjardins mobile app.
Desjardins Interac e-Transfer Not Working
If your Desjardins e-Transfer is failing or stuck, here are the most common causes and how to resolve them:
- You have hit the $5,000 daily limit. Since Desjardins does not allow limit increases, you will need to wait until the next day to send more. Check your remaining daily capacity in AccesD.
- Incorrect recipient details. A typo in the recipient's email address or phone number will prevent the transfer from being delivered. Double-check and resend if necessary.
- Autodeposit routing conflict. If the recipient has Autodeposit registered with a different email or at another financial institution, the transfer may not arrive where expected. Confirm their Autodeposit registration before sending.
- AccesD session issues. If AccesD is displaying errors or timing out, try clearing your browser cache or switching to the Desjardins mobile app. Desjardins occasionally performs maintenance on AccesD that can temporarily disrupt e-Transfer functionality.
- Interac system maintenance. Interac periodically performs scheduled maintenance that affects all financial institutions. Check interac.ca for current service status.
- Account restrictions. New accounts or accounts flagged for unusual activity may have temporary e-Transfer restrictions. Call Desjardins at 1-800-224-7737 to check.
How Long Does a Desjardins e-Transfer Take?
With Autodeposit enabled on the receiving end, Desjardins e-Transfers typically arrive within minutes. Without Autodeposit, the recipient must answer a security question to accept the funds, and the transfer remains pending until they do.
Unclaimed transfers 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 more than a few hours with no error notification, contact Desjardins at 1-800-224-7737 for assistance.
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Get Started FreeHow to Cancel a Desjardins e-Transfer
You can cancel a pending Interac e-Transfer as long as the recipient has not yet deposited the funds:
- Log in to AccesD (Desjardins online banking) or the Desjardins mobile app.
- Navigate to Transfers and find the pending e-Transfer.
- Select Cancel to stop the transfer.
If the recipient has Autodeposit enabled, the money is deposited immediately and cannot be cancelled. You will need to contact the recipient directly and ask them to send the funds back. Always be cautious of e-Transfer scams that pressure you into sending money under false pretenses -- once an Autodeposit transfer goes through, it is effectively irreversible.
Desjardins Business e-Transfer Limits
Desjardins business accounts offer higher e-Transfer limits than personal accounts, with a daily sending cap of up to $10,000. For self-employed professionals, freelancers, and micro-business owners who regularly process payments above $5,000, a business account is the only way to increase your Desjardins e-Transfer capacity.
How Desjardins Compares to Other Banks
Desjardins' $5,000 per-transaction limit is the highest among major Canadian financial institutions for personal accounts, giving it a clear advantage for anyone who needs to send larger payments without upgrading to a business plan. The trade-off is that this limit is fixed and cannot be increased, whereas banks like RBC and TD allow you to request higher caps. For even higher monthly throughput, ATB Financial offers a $150,000 monthly cap, and EQ Bank matches Desjardins' $5,000 per-transaction limit with no monthly fees. Here is how Desjardins stacks up across the board:
| 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 | $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 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $30,000 | Free |
| National Bank | $4,000 | $4,000 | — | $1.25 |
| Desjardins (this page) | $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 Desjardins Interac e-Transfer limit?
Desjardins offers one of the highest personal e-Transfer limits at $5,000 per transfer and $5,000 per day. However, Desjardins does not allow you to increase this limit.
Does Desjardins charge for e-Transfers?
Fees vary by account type and package. Check your Desjardins account or contact customer service at 1-800-224-7737 for specific fee details.
Can I increase my Desjardins e-Transfer limit?
No. Desjardins does not allow personal e-Transfer limit increases beyond the $5,000 default. Business accounts can send up to $10,000 per day.
How long does a Desjardins e-Transfer take?
With Autodeposit, transfers arrive within minutes. Standard transfers are typically available within 30 minutes.
Can I cancel a Desjardins e-Transfer?
Yes, cancel through Desjardins Online (AccesD) or the mobile app before the recipient deposits.
What is the Desjardins business e-Transfer limit?
Desjardins business accounts can send up to $10,000 per day via Interac e-Transfer.
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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 March 2026.