Scotiabank is one of Canada's Big Five banks, with more than 10 million customers nationwide. Unlike most of its competitors, Scotiabank does not publicly list specific default Interac e-Transfer limits on its website. Instead, your e-Transfer limits are tied directly to your account's overall transaction limits, which can make things confusing if you are trying to figure out exactly how much you can send.
Here is everything you need to know about Scotiabank Interac e-Transfer limits, fees, and how to get your limits increased.
In this guide
Scotiabank Interac e-Transfer Limits
Scotiabank handles e-Transfer limits differently from banks like RBC or TD. Rather than publishing a separate e-Transfer limit, Scotiabank bundles e-Transfers under your account's daily transaction limit. This means your e-Transfer capacity shares space with other withdrawals and payments from the same account. For comparison, banks like RBC and TD publish their e-Transfer limits separately and clearly.
That said, the commonly reported defaults for most personal chequing accounts are $3,000 per transaction and $3,000 per day. These figures are not formally published by Scotiabank and may vary depending on your account type, banking history, and relationship with the bank.
Scotiabank does not publicly disclose separate weekly or monthly e-Transfer caps for personal accounts. Your effective limit is governed by your overall daily transaction allowance.
| Limit Type | Personal | Business |
|---|---|---|
| Per Transfer | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| Daily | $3,000 | $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.
Why limits are hard to pin down
Because Scotiabank ties e-Transfer limits to your overall account transaction limits rather than publishing them separately, the exact amount you can send may differ from what other Scotiabank customers report. If you need a definitive answer for your specific account, call Scotiabank directly at 1-800-472-6842.
Scotiabank e-Transfer Fees
Scotiabank charges $1.00 per Interac e-Transfer sent on most personal chequing accounts, including the Basic Banking Plan and Preferred Package. This fee applies each time you initiate a transfer, regardless of the amount.
If you hold a Scotiabank Ultimate Package or another premium banking plan, e-Transfers may be included at no additional cost as part of your monthly package fee. It is worth reviewing your account package details to see whether upgrading would save you money if you send transfers frequently.
Receiving e-Transfers is always free at Scotiabank, no matter which account you have.
Tip for freelancers and small business owners
If you receive payments by e-Transfer, turn on Autodeposit in the Scotia app so funds land in your account automatically. This removes the security question step and ensures you never miss a payment because a transfer expired.
How to Increase Your Scotiabank e-Transfer Limit
Because Scotiabank ties e-Transfer limits to your account transaction limits, increasing your e-Transfer capacity means raising your overall daily transaction limit. Here is how to do it:
- Call Scotiabank at 1-800-472-6842. Ask to increase your daily transaction limit. An advisor can adjust it over the phone, often during the same call.
- Visit a Scotiabank branch. Bring government-issued ID. A branch representative can review your account and raise your limits in person.
- Check the Scotia app. Some customers can view and adjust their transaction limits through the Scotiabank mobile app under account settings, though the option may not be available for all account types.
- Upgrade your account package. Premium packages like the Scotiabank Preferred Package or Ultimate Package often come with higher default transaction limits, which translates to higher e-Transfer capacity.
Keep in mind that any increase to your transaction limit also raises the ceiling for other withdrawals and payments from that account, not just e-Transfers.
Scotiabank Interac e-Transfer Not Working
If your Scotiabank e-Transfer is failing or stuck, here are the most common causes and how to fix them:
- You have hit your daily transaction limit. Since e-Transfers share your account's overall transaction limit, other withdrawals or purchases earlier in the day may have used up your remaining capacity. Check your available limit in the Scotia app.
- Incorrect recipient details. A typo in the recipient's email address or phone number will prevent delivery. Verify the contact information and try again.
- Autodeposit routing. If the recipient has Autodeposit registered with a different email address or at another bank, the transfer may not arrive where expected.
- Interac system maintenance. Interac periodically performs scheduled maintenance that can delay transfers. Check interac.ca for current service status.
- Account holds or restrictions. New Scotiabank accounts or accounts flagged for unusual activity may have temporary e-Transfer restrictions. Contact Scotiabank at 1-800-472-6842 to check.
How Long Does a Scotiabank e-Transfer Take?
When the recipient has Autodeposit enabled, Scotiabank e-Transfers are typically deposited 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 30 days by default. After that, the transfer expires and the funds are returned to your account. If a transfer seems delayed beyond a few hours, contact Scotiabank at 1-800-472-6842 or check Interac's service status page.
Stay on top of your e-Transfer income
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Get Started FreeHow to Cancel a Scotiabank e-Transfer
You can cancel a pending Interac e-Transfer as long as the recipient has not yet deposited it:
- Log in to Scotiabank Online Banking or the Scotia app.
- Go to Transfers and find the pending e-Transfer.
- Select Cancel to stop the transfer.
If the recipient has Autodeposit turned on, 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. Be cautious of e-Transfer scams that rely on pressuring you into sending money under false pretenses.
Scotiabank Business e-Transfer Limits
Scotiabank business accounts offer significantly higher e-Transfer limits than personal accounts. Business customers can typically send up to $10,000 per day, which is a meaningful step up from the $3,000 daily limit on most personal accounts.
If you are a freelancer, contractor, or micro-business owner who regularly processes e-Transfer payments above $3,000, switching to a Scotiabank business account can remove a real bottleneck. Business accounts also come with features like multiple authorized users and better record-keeping tools.
How Scotiabank Compares to Other Banks
Scotiabank's $3,000 daily limit is on the lower end among Canada's Big Five banks, and its $1.00 per-transfer fee on most accounts is a notable cost that banks like RBC and TD do not charge on their standard chequing plans. CIBC charges $1.50 per transfer on its basic accounts, making it the only Big Five bank with a higher fee than Scotiabank. It is also worth noting that Tangerine, which is a Scotiabank subsidiary, offers free unlimited e-Transfers on all accounts. Here is how Scotiabank stacks up against 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 (this page) | $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 | $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 Scotiabank Interac e-Transfer limit?
Scotiabank bases your e-Transfer limit on your account's transaction limit. The default for most personal accounts is commonly reported as $3,000 per transaction and $3,000 per day. Scotiabank does not publicly publish specific default amounts.
Does Scotiabank charge for e-Transfers?
Yes. Scotiabank charges $1.00 per e-Transfer on most personal accounts. Premium packages like the Preferred and Ultimate packages may include free e-Transfers.
How do I increase my Scotiabank e-Transfer limit?
Call Scotiabank at 1-800-472-6842 or visit a branch. You can also upgrade to a premium package for higher limits.
How long does a Scotiabank e-Transfer take?
With Autodeposit enabled, transfers arrive within minutes. Standard transfers with a security question are typically available within 30 minutes.
Can I cancel a Scotiabank e-Transfer?
Yes, as long as the recipient has not deposited the funds. Cancel through Scotia Online or the Scotiabank mobile app.
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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.