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What are the benefits of cross-border banking?

Simplify your U.S. finance with a bundle built for Canadians - from free transfers to savings on every purchase.

Free and instant transfers

Move money between your RBC Canadian and U.S. accounts at competitive exchange rates — anytime, for free

Save 2.5% on U.S. purchases legal disclaimer footnote 4

No foreign transaction fees on any U.S. purchase — no surprises

Earn Avion points

1 point per $1 spent — transfer 1:1 back to Canada legal disclaimer footnote 5 or enjoy 1% cash back legal disclaimer footnote 6

50,000+ no-fee U.S. ATMs

Access a massive, fee-free ATM network legal disclaimer footnote 7 across all 50 states — cash when you need it, wherever you are

Get no-annual-fee U.S. banking for 1 year

Cross-border bundle specifically designed for Canadians.

U.S. Checking Account

Direct
Checking

Insured up to
$250,000 legal disclaimer footnote 8

1-Year Offer $0 No annual fee for 1 year
  • Currency exchange

    Unlimited instant currency exchange

    Transfer funds between your RBC Canadian & U.S. accounts 24/7 — for free

  • ATM

    50,000+ no-fee ATMs

    Access your money in all 50 states

  • Give Money

    Pay U.S. bills & deposit checks

    Manage your U.S. banking no matter where you are

★ Save for 1 year with no commitment

U.S. Travel Credit Card

Visa legal disclaimer footnote ‡ Signature
Black

No Annual Fee $0 per year
  • Travel

    Save 2.5% on U.S. purchases

    No foreign transaction fees save you on every U.S. purchase — no surprises

  • Rewards

    Earn Avion points

    Earn 1 Avion point for every $1 spent. Transfer 1:1 back to Canada or enjoy 1% cash back

  • Get insurance up to $500,000 legal disclaimer footnote 9

    With trip coverage up to $5,000 and purchase security

Use your Canadian credit history and address to apply.

The RBC difference: trusted expertise and support

Designed for Canadians with experience, simplicity and support you can count on.

Star

20+ years of expertise

RBC is trusted by more than half a million clients for their cross-border banking needs.

Lock

Secure online application

Apply in just 5 minutes — no U.S. address or Social Security Number required.

Use your Canadian credit

Use your existing credit history to qualify, making the process simple and stress-free.

Clock

We’re with you 24/7
Manage your money, from anywhere, through online and mobile banking — or speak to our dedicated, bilingual Canadian experts whenever you need help.

What you’ll need to apply online.

It’s quick and easy and takes less than 5 minutes. You can start your no obligation application online right now.

All you’ll need to open an RBC Bank U.S. account online:

Be 18 years or older and live in
Canada or the U.S.

You don’t have to have a U.S. address — use your Canadian address to apply.

Have a SIN or SSN

Unlike other banks, you don’t need a U.S. Social Security Number to apply.

Have a government ID

Use your driver’s license, passport number or other official government ID.

If you already bank at RBC, please
have your client card number
(16-digit number on your card).

Use your Canadian credit history and address to apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Top questions about
cross-border banking

No — and that’s one of the key reasons Canadians choose RBC Bank for their U.S. banking.

You can apply entirely online in about 5 minutes using your Canadian address. You do not need a U.S. address, and unlike most U.S. banks, RBC Bank does not require a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN). Your Canadian Social Insurance Number (SIN) is accepted in its place.

You also don’t need an existing U.S. credit history to qualify — RBC Bank can use your Canadian credit background instead.

To apply, you’ll need:

  • To be 18 years of age or older and live in Canada or the U.S.
  • Your Canadian address
  • Your SIN (or SSN if you have one)
  • A government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport

Yes. RBC Bank (Georgia), N.A. is a U.S.-chartered bank and a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

This means your eligible deposits are insured up to USD $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category — the same protection that applies to any FDIC-member bank in the United States. Your U.S. checking account and any eligible deposit balances are covered under this insurance.

Please note: FDIC insurance is separate from Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) protection, which covers your accounts held at Canadian banks. Your RBC Bank U.S. account is covered by FDIC; your Canadian bank accounts are covered by CDIC. These limits apply independently.

The RBC Cross-Border Banking Bundle comes with a promotional no-fee period of 1 year — here’s how it works:

No-fee for 1 year: After applying for the cross-border bundle and getting approved for your credit card, your annual or monthly checking account fee is waived for the first year. After 12 months, standard account fees apply.

If you’re new to U.S. banking and want to test the waters without committing a minimum balance, this option is a great starting point.

For full fee schedule details after the promotional period, contact RBC Bank directly or review the account terms at the time of application.

Opening an RBC Bank U.S. account does not use your Canadian credit bureau for a hard inquiry in the same way a Canadian credit application would.

Because RBC Bank can assess your creditworthiness using your Canadian credit background without requiring a U.S. credit file, the application process is designed to minimize friction for Canadians. However, the following general guidance applies:

  • U.S. credit card application: Applying for the Visa Signature Black credit card may result in a credit inquiry through a U.S. credit bureau (such as Experian, Equifax U.S., or TransUnion U.S.), which is a separate file from your Canadian credit bureau record.
  • Canadian credit score: A U.S. bureau inquiry does not automatically appear on or affect your Canadian credit report (Equifax Canada or TransUnion Canada), as these are distinct systems.
  • Building U.S. credit: One benefit of holding the RBC Bank Visa Signature Black card is that it can help you start building a U.S. credit history — which can be useful for future U.S. financial needs such as renting an apartment or financing a vehicle in the U.S.

If you have specific concerns about your credit profile, we recommend speaking with an RBC Bank advisor before applying.

The RBC Bank Visa Signature Black credit card earns Avion points — RBC’s flexible travel and rewards currency.

Earning rate: You earn 1 Avion point for every $1 USD spent on eligible purchases made with the card.

Redemption options:

  • Transfer points to Canada (1:1): Transfer your U.S.-earned Avion points directly to your RBC Avion Rewards account in Canada at a 1:1 ratio. This means points earned on U.S. spending can be pooled with any RBC Avion points you accumulate in Canada and redeemed for flights, travel, merchandise, and more through the Avion Rewards program.
  • 1% cash back: Prefer simplicity? You can opt for 1% cash back on eligible purchases instead.

Why this matters for non-RBC customers: Even if you don’t currently have an RBC account in Canada, you can open one to take advantage of the points transfer — or simply elect for cash back from day one without needing a Canadian RBC account.

For full Avion Rewards terms, eligible purchase categories, and any point expiry conditions, visit the Avion Rewards program page or speak with an RBC Bank representative.

Your RBC Cross-Border Banking Bundle unlocks a wide range of exclusive perks designed specifically for Canadians living, working, or travelling in the U.S.

  • Discounts on attractions, hotels & dining: Access over 300,000 offers and discounts on attractions, hotels, restaurants, and experiences across Canada and the U.S. — giving you meaningful savings every time you travel.
  • Car rental discounts: Save up to 25% on car and SUV rentals, and up to 35% on car and truck rentals through RBC’s rental partners.
  • Cross-border shopping & shipping: Shop U.S. online retailers and have purchases shipped directly to Canada at specially negotiated, discounted rates — so you can take advantage of U.S. prices without the typical shipping and brokerage headaches.
  • No foreign transaction fees: Every U.S. purchase made with your Visa Signature Black card comes with no foreign transaction fees — no unexpected surcharges on top of your purchase price.

These perks are available to all RBC Cross-Border Banking Bundle holders and are in addition to the core banking features of the bundle.

RBC Bank’s Cross-Border Banking Bundle is built around making Canada-to-U.S. (and U.S.-to-Canada) transfers fast, free, and easy.

If you are also an RBC Royal Bank customer in Canada: You can link your Canadian and U.S. accounts for a true single-login experience. Transfers between your RBC Royal Bank Canadian account and your RBC Bank U.S. account are unlimited, instant, and free — available 24/7 through online or mobile banking.

If you currently bank with a different Canadian financial institution: You can still transfer funds to and from your U.S. RBC Bank account using standard international wire transfers or through your Canadian bank’s cross-border transfer service. Note that fees and transfer times in this case are determined by your Canadian bank, not RBC Bank. For the fastest and most cost-effective transfers, many customers choose to also open a basic RBC Royal Bank account in Canada to take advantage of the free, instant cross-border transfer feature.

Currency exchange: When transferring between CAD and USD accounts, an exchange rate set by RBC applies. For details on current rates and any applicable conversion fees, contact RBC Bank or check the rates displayed at the time of transfer in online banking.

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®/™
Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. RBC Bank means RBC Bank (Georgia), N.A., a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada.
©
RBC Bank (Georgia), N.A. 2026

RBC Bank is RBC Bank (Georgia), National Association (“RBC Bank”), a wholly owned U.S. banking subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC Bank is a member of the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). U.S. deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC up to the maximum amount permissible by law. U.S. deposit accounts are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (“CDIC”). U.S. banking products and services are offered and provided by RBC Bank. Canadian banking products and services are offered and provided by Royal Bank of Canada. All deposit accounts, loans and lines of credit are approved by RBC Bank. rbcbank.com (link opens in new window)