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With your new investing account now in place, you'll need to fund it to start acting on your investment decisions. There are several ways to do so. Learn more about each below.
How to Transfer Cash from your RBC Online Banking Account
There are three ways for RBC clients to move money into their direct investing account:
- RBC Online Banking. Use the same login as you do for online banking to transfer cash in real-time¹ from a personal chequing or savings account to a personal Direct Investing account (non-registered and registered). The feature is called "Transfer to Direct Investing or InvestEase" and can be found under the online banking Pay Bills and Transfer Funds page.
- RBC Direct Investing Site. Log in to the site and select Trade & Transfer. Follow the steps to move money from your RBC chequing or savings accounts, or Avion Rewards points (see more below), to your RBC Direct Investing account.
- RBC Mobile² App. If you've linked your banking and RBC Direct Investing accounts, simply open or download the app and select RBC Direct Investing from the main menu when you log in. Then, select "Transfer Funds" under the yellow Action button or the More menu to move money from your RBC chequing or savings accounts to your RBC Direct Investing accounts. (The mobile app is also the fastest way to deposit funds by cheque; learn more in You've Opened Your Investing Account. Now What?)
How to Transfer in Cash from Another Financial Institution
If you bank online somewhere other than RBC, simply add "RBC Direct Investing" as a bill payee – just like you would to pay an online bill — to transfer funds from a chequing or savings account. You will also need to have your 10-digit account number, which can be found on an RBC Direct Investing account statement. This can take two to four business days.
How to Transfer in Assets from Another Financial Institution
Looking to bring existing assets into your direct investing account from another financial institution? You can keep your existing investments exactly the way they are with an “in kind" transfer. There is no selling or buying involved, and your investments will be added to your account at the market value on the date they are received. Note that only “like" accounts can be transferred into one another (RRSP to RRSP, for example).
To get started right away, go to the Trade & Transfer tab online and find Transfer Assets from Another Institution in the Transfers section.
How to Use Your Avion Points³
If you earn rewards points on your RBC credit card, they can be converted to cash for deposit or contributed to an RBC Direct Investing registered account — like an RRSP, TFSA or RESP. Rewards points can also be used to pay for trade commissions on your online or mobile trades.
What You Need to Know About Foreign Currency
Most account types (with the exception of RESP) are dual currency accounts, which means they allow you to trade in both Canadian and U.S. dollars. There are multiple benefits to this feature – such as potential savings, convenience and flexibility – and there are also some key things to keep in mind (see Canadian/U.S. considerations in this trading checklist to help you avoid common mistakes). Find answers to your questions here.
Automated Account Services
Taking control of your investments need not take more of your time than you're interested in dedicating. There are ways to automate your investment decisions, so your money continues to work hard while you stay on top of pressing matters. For example, you can set up regular contributions via a pre-authorized contribution (PAC) plan (one bonus: If you have a PAC plan totalling $100 per month or $300 per quarter across your RBC Direct Investing accounts, your quarterly maintenance fee4 will be waived). Learn more here.
Further Reading:
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RBC Direct Investing Inc. and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. RBC Direct Investing Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada and is a Member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Royal Bank of Canada and certain of its issuers are related to RBC Direct Investing Inc. RBC Direct Investing Inc. does not provide investment advice or recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of any securities. Investors are responsible for their own investment decisions. RBC Direct Investing is a business name used by RBC Direct Investing Inc. ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.
© Royal Bank of Canada 2023.
1 Fund transfers to your RBC Direct Investing account from an RBC Royal Bank account will be processed in real-time for cash investment, margin, RRSP and TFSA accounts between the hours of 4:30 am and 7:54 pm. Transfers completed outside of those hours will be processed on the next business day. Some conditions apply.
2 RBC Mobile is operated by Royal Bank of Canada, RBC Direct Investing Inc. and RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
3 The Avion Rewards program is offered by Royal Bank of Canada and is subject to the Avion Rewards Terms & Conditions. You may only use your Avion points through RBC DI to: (1) pay for trade commissions on your eligible RBC Direct Investing accounts; or (2) transfer points for cash contributions to your eligible RBC Direct Investing accounts. It is your responsibility to make sure you have sufficient contribution room within your registered plan when redeeming points for cash contributions to your registered accounts and/or when you use your Avion points to pay for trade commissions on a registered account. The Canada Revenue Agency may apply tax penalties for over-contributions. RBC Direct Investing is not responsible for any such penalties.
4 There is no quarterly maintenance fee charged if your combined assets are $15,000 or more across all of your RBC Direct Investing accounts. If your combined assets are less than $15,000 across all of your RBC Direct Investing accounts, you will be charged one maintenance fee of $25 per quarter (split across all of your accounts). For full details please refer to the complete Commissions and Fees Schedule at www.rbcdirectinvesting.com/fees.
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are for your general interest and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of RBC Direct Investing. Furthermore, the products, services and securities referred to in this publication are only available in Canada and other jurisdictions where they may be legally offered for sale. If you are not currently resident of Canada, you should not access the information available on the RBC Direct Investing website.
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