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National Bank of Canada review

Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026

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Our verdict

National Bank of Canada pairs a credit card and a debit card with an annual fee of CAD 0, which suits Canadian customers who bank with the bank. The cost side is strong, but cashback of Up to 1% cashback and APR of 20.99% to 22.49% leave the offer thin.

Key facts

Best for
Banking customers in Canada who want a fee free credit card alongside a debit card.
Annual fee
CA$0 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
APR
20.99% to 22.49% (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Currency conversion fee
2.5% (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Rewards type
Cashback (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Rewards rate
Up to 1% cashback (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Cashback rate
1% (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Card kind
Credit (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Pricing model
No annual fee
Features
Rewards
Official website
nbc.ca

Debit cards

Currency conversion fee
2.5% (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Card type
Debit (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Features
Rewards

Apps and profiles

Elsewhere
WikidataWikipediaX

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Annual fee of CAD 0 on a no annual fee model, so the card costs nothing to hold
  • A debit card option, with card type debit, sits alongside the credit card
  • Cashback of Up to 1% cashback paid on a cashback basis, with rewards as the listed feature
  • Currency conversion fee of 2.5% on a card from a major bank

Cons

  • APR of 20.99% to 22.49% sits above the site median of 20.97%
  • Cashback of Up to 1% cashback is modest, and the rewards type is plain cashback
  • Currency conversion fee of 2.5% matches the site upper quartile of 2.5%
National Bank of Canada

Ready to try National Bank of Canada?

Scored 8.8 / 10 by DebitCue.

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Who it suits

  • Canadian customers who already hold an account with the bank
  • People who want a fee free credit card for everyday spending and small cashback
  • Customers happy to bank and borrow in a single market

Who should look elsewhere

  • Anyone spending abroad often, since the currency conversion fee of 2.5% is high for a fee free card
  • Borrowers who want a low rate, because the APR of 20.99% to 22.49% is above the site median of 20.97%

How National Bank of Canada compares

Frequently asked questions

Does this credit card charge an annual fee?+

No. The annual fee is CAD 0 and the card runs on a no annual fee model, so there is no yearly charge to hold it. Costs then come from borrowing, where the APR is 20.99% to 22.49%.

What rate do I pay if I carry a balance?+

The APR runs 20.99% to 22.49%, which sits above the site median of 20.97%. A card with no annual fee still costs money once you borrow, so clearing the balance each month keeps interest away.

What cashback do I earn, and is it worth carrying the card for?+

Cashback of Up to 1% cashback applies, paid as cashback rather than points or miles. That is a modest rate, so the card earns its place on the missing annual fee more than on the reward.

What does it cost to spend in another currency?+

The currency conversion fee is 2.5%, which matches the site upper quartile of 2.5% and the credit ranking upper quartile of 2.75%. Frequent foreign spending will cost more here than on a low conversion fee card.

Can I get a debit card from the same bank?+

Yes. The bank offers a debit card, with the card type listed as debit, so everyday spending can run from a current account. The fee free credit card handles borrowing and rewards, and the debit card handles daily payments.

Is this card regulated and is my money protected?+

The card is issued by a Canadian bank, and the annual fee and APR are set in Canadian dollars. No protection scheme or regulator licence is listed for this card, so check the bank's own terms for deposit protection on any balance held.

Sources

Compiled from 4 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.

National Bank of Canada

National Bank of Canada

Banking customers in Canada who want a fee free credit card alongside a debit card.

8.8/10See alternatives