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National Bank e-Transfer Limit 2026: $4,000/day, $14,000/week

Limits, fees, and how to send more when National Bank says no.

By Biller.ca Team · · Updated · 7 min read

The short answer

Per transfer
$4,000
Per day
$4,000
Per week
$14,000

Sending is $1.25 on National Bank's standard personal chequing accounts, and receiving is free. The limit can be raised — see how below.

National Bank of Canada (Banque Nationale du 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 of Canada serves millions of personal and business clients who rely on Interac e-Transfers for everyday payments. What sets the National Bank of Canada Interac e-Transfer service 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 the National Bank of Canada e-Transfer limits in 2026, fees, and how to send more when you need to.

National Bank of Canada e-Transfer limits at a glance

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 —
Daily $4,000 $25,000
Weekly (7 days) $14,000 $100,000
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 included at no additional cost: both plans include unlimited Interac e-Transfers. The lower-cost The Minimalist plan also includes them, but they count toward its 18 digital transactions a month. 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.

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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:

  1. 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.
  2. Visit a National Bank branch. Bring government-issued photo ID. A representative can review your history and raise your limits in person.
  3. 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.
  4. Switch to a business account. National Bank business accounts support up to $25,000 per day and $100,000 per week, 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:

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.

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How to Cancel a National Bank e-Transfer

You can cancel an outgoing e-Transfer as long as the recipient has not yet deposited it. National Bank charges a $3.50 fee to cancel:

  1. Log in to National Bank Online Banking or the National Bank mobile app.
  2. Navigate to Transfers and locate the pending e-Transfer.
  3. 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 caps of up to $25,000 per day and $100,000 per week. 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 of Canada's $4,000 per-transaction Interac e-Transfer limit is higher than the $3,000 cap at most Big Five banks, and its $25,000-a-day 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. For a head-to-head fee comparison with CIBC ($1.50), Scotiabank, and the free-transfer digital banks like Tangerine and Simplii Financial, see our dedicated Canadian Interac e-Transfer fees guide. Here is how National Bank 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 — Free
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 $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
Neo $3,000 $5,000 $20,000 Free
ICICI Bank $10,000 $10,000 $300,000 Free
Vancity $6,000 $10,000 $20,000 Free
Coast Capital — — — $1.50

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's personal limits are $4,000 per transfer, $4,000 per 25-hour rolling period, and $14,000 per 7-day period. The 25-hour window means your daily limit resets 25 hours after your first transfer, not at midnight.

Does National Bank charge for e-Transfers?

National Bank charges $1.25 per Interac e-Transfer on accounts without a monthly package. The Connected and The Total include unlimited e-Transfers, The Minimalist includes them within its 18 monthly digital transactions, and packages for professionals and students also include them.

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. National Bank charges $3.50 to cancel an e-Transfer.

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About this information

This page is general information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. We gathered it from public sources (banks, payment providers, government agencies such as the CRA, and published industry rates), and it reflects our understanding when it was last updated. Rates, limits, fees, and rules change without notice, and your situation may differ from the general case.

Before you rely on anything here, do your own due diligence: confirm the details with the original source, and check that they are still current. For advice about your own finances, taxes, or legal position, hire a qualified professional such as an accountant, lawyer, or financial advisor. See our Terms for the full disclaimer. Last updated September 16, 2026.