National Bank of Canada is the sixth-largest bank in the country and the largest bank headquartered in Quebec. With deep roots in the province and a growing presence across the rest of Canada, National Bank serves millions of personal and business clients who rely on Interac e-Transfers for everyday payments. What sets National Bank apart from most competitors is a higher-than-average per-transaction limit and an unusual 25-hour rolling window for daily caps.
Here is everything you need to know about National Bank's Interac e-Transfer limits, fees, and how to send more when you need to.
In this guide
National Bank Interac e-Transfer Limits
National Bank allows you to send up to $4,000 per transaction and $4,000 per day, which is higher than the $3,000 cap that most Big Five banks -- such as RBC and TD -- impose on personal accounts. On top of that, National Bank enforces a 7-day rolling cap of $14,000.
The most distinctive feature of National Bank's limit structure is its 25-hour rolling window. Unlike most Canadian banks that reset daily limits at midnight or use a standard 24-hour period (as Scotiabank and BMO do), National Bank calculates your daily cap over a 25-hour window. In practical terms, if you send $4,000 at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, that amount does not free up until 11:00 AM on Wednesday. This extra hour can catch you off guard if you are sending transfers close to the limit and expecting an exact 24-hour reset.
National Bank does not publicly advertise a separate monthly cap for personal e-Transfer accounts, so the 7-day rolling limit of $14,000 is the primary constraint beyond the daily ceiling.
| Limit Type | Personal | Business |
|---|---|---|
| Per Transfer | $4,000 | $25,000 |
| Daily | $4,000 | $25,000 |
| Weekly (7 days) | $14,000 | — |
| 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.
Watch out for the 25-hour window
National Bank is the only major Canadian bank that uses a 25-hour rolling period instead of 24 hours. If you regularly send transfers near your daily limit, plan for the extra hour so you are not blocked when you need to send an urgent payment.
National Bank e-Transfer Fees
National Bank charges $1.25 per Interac e-Transfer sent if you do not have a qualifying monthly banking package. This per-transfer fee applies to outgoing transfers on basic and pay-per-use accounts. By contrast, digital banks like Tangerine include free e-Transfers on all accounts.
If you hold one of National Bank's monthly banking plans, such as The Connected or The Total, e-Transfers are typically included at no additional cost. These plans bundle a set number of transactions per month, and e-Transfers count toward your included transactions. For customers who send more than a few transfers per month, a monthly plan almost always works out cheaper than paying $1.25 each time.
Receiving e-Transfers is always free at National Bank, regardless of your account type or banking package.
Tip for freelancers and small business owners
If you receive client payments by e-Transfer, enable Autodeposit through National Bank's online banking so funds arrive in your account automatically. This eliminates the security question step and ensures you never miss a payment because a transfer expired.
How to Increase Your National Bank e-Transfer Limit
National Bank allows some flexibility in adjusting your e-Transfer limits, though the process requires contacting the bank directly. Here are your options:
- Call National Bank at 1-888-835-6281. Ask to increase your Interac e-Transfer sending limit. A telephone advisor can review your account and adjust your daily and weekly caps during the call.
- Visit a National Bank branch. Bring government-issued photo ID. A representative can review your history and raise your limits in person.
- Upgrade your banking package. Some higher-tier monthly plans come with more generous default limits. Review the options on National Bank's website or ask an advisor which plan best fits your transfer volume.
- Switch to a business account. National Bank business accounts support up to $25,000 per transaction, which removes the friction of personal caps entirely if you process large payments on a regular basis.
Any increase is at National Bank's discretion and may depend on your account history and relationship with the bank.
National Bank Interac e-Transfer Not Working
If your National Bank e-Transfer is failing or stuck in a pending state, work through these common issues:
- You have hit the 25-hour rolling limit. Remember, National Bank uses a 25-hour window, not 24 hours. Even if a full day has passed since your last transfer, the limit may not have reset yet. Wait the extra hour and try again.
- Your 7-day cap is exhausted. If you have sent $14,000 over the past seven days, you will need to wait for older transfers to age out of the rolling window before sending more.
- Incorrect recipient information. A typo in the recipient's email or phone number will prevent delivery. Double-check the contact details and resend if needed.
- Autodeposit routing conflict. If the recipient has Autodeposit registered with a different email or at another bank, the transfer may not arrive where expected. Confirm their registered Autodeposit details before sending.
- Interac system maintenance. Interac periodically performs scheduled maintenance that affects all banks. Check interac.ca for service status updates.
- Account restrictions. New accounts or accounts flagged for unusual activity may have temporary limits. Call National Bank at 1-888-835-6281 to investigate.
How Long Does a National Bank e-Transfer Take?
When the recipient has Autodeposit enabled, National Bank e-Transfers typically arrive within minutes. Without Autodeposit, the recipient must accept the transfer by answering a security question, and the funds become available once 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 notification, contact National Bank at 1-888-835-6281 or check Interac's service status page.
Stay on top of your e-Transfer income
Biller.ca parses your Interac e-Transfer notification emails and helps you track income, clients, and generate receipts. Built for Canadian small businesses.
Get Started FreeHow to Cancel a National Bank e-Transfer
You can cancel an outgoing e-Transfer as long as the recipient has not yet deposited it:
- Log in to National Bank Online Banking or the National Bank mobile app.
- Navigate to Transfers and locate the pending e-Transfer.
- Select Cancel to stop the transfer.
The refund is typically returned to your account within minutes, though it can occasionally take up to one business day. If the recipient has Autodeposit turned on, the money is deposited the moment you send it, which means cancellation is not possible. You will need to contact the recipient directly and ask them to return the funds. Be cautious of e-Transfer scams that pressure you into sending money under false pretenses.
National Bank Business e-Transfer Limits
National Bank business accounts unlock substantially higher e-Transfer limits, with a per-transaction cap of up to $25,000. For self-employed professionals, freelancers, and micro-business owners who regularly handle payments above $4,000, a business account removes the most common bottleneck.
How National Bank Compares to Other Banks
National Bank's $4,000 per-transaction limit is higher than the $3,000 cap at most Big Five banks, and its $25,000 business limit is competitive with the largest institutions. The 25-hour rolling window is unique among Canadian banks and worth keeping in mind when planning larger payments. Here is a full comparison across all major Canadian banks:
| 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 (this page) | $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 National Bank Interac e-Transfer limit?
National Bank sets a higher-than-average per-transfer limit of $4,000 with a 25-hour rolling cap of $4,000 and a 7-day cap of $14,000.
Does National Bank charge for e-Transfers?
National Bank charges $1.25 per transfer on accounts without a monthly package. E-Transfers are free with The Connected, The Total, and other monthly plans.
How do I increase my National Bank e-Transfer limit?
Call National Bank at 1-888-835-6281 or visit a branch. Upgrading your account plan may also raise your limits.
Why does National Bank use a 25-hour window?
National Bank uses a 25-hour rolling window instead of the standard 24 hours. This means your daily limit resets 25 hours after your first transfer, not at midnight.
Can I cancel a National Bank e-Transfer?
Yes, cancel through National Bank Online Banking or the mobile app before the recipient deposits.
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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.