A Guide To The Simplii Financial Debit Mastercard

Written and Edited By

Last updated: Sep 19, 2024

Expert Reviewed By

The Simplii Financial debit card is given out to Simplii clients who have a no fee chequing account. The card is directly tied to your Simplii chequing account.

With your card, you can make purchases in-person, online, and internationally thanks to support from Interac and Mastercard.

Here’s a look at how the Simplii debit card works, key features (including a limited-time welcome bonus!), and how to activate a new Simplii Financial debit card.

Key Takeaways

Simplii No Fee Chequing Account holders are provided a debit Mastercard rather than a basic debit card.
These debit Mastercards can be used online or in person anywhere Interac is accepted as well as wherever Mastercard is accepted.
This card also works internationally, including international ATMs.

Table Of Contents

How the Simplii Financial debit card works

The Simplii Financial Debit Mastercard is like a standard debit card and it’s linked directly to your Simplii Financial account.

You can use your card to pay for things wherever Mastercard and Interac are accepted.

Interac: When you use your Simplii card in person in Canada, the purchase is processed by Interac
Mastercard: When you use your Simplii card online or internationally, the purchase is processed by Mastercard

You can add Simplii to your mobile wallet. You can use it to shop in person and online, plus it works at compatible international ATMs.

Here’s a bit more detail about the key benefits of a Simplii Financial Debit Mastercard:

You can use your Simplii Financial debit card online

You can make purchases anywhere that Mastercard is accepted, including online.

This means that you don’t have to rely on PayPal support to make a purchase if you don't have a credit card. Instead, you can make payments directly from your Simplii bank account using your debit card.

And you can use it internationally too

Your Simplii debit card can make it easier to make purchases anywhere in the real world, too.

Mastercard: No matter where you are in the world, as long as the merchant accepts Mastercard, you can use your Simplii card
ATMs: You can use your Simplii card at any international ATM that is compatible with Interac, Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus

Other Simplii No Fee Chequing Account benefits

Not sure if it’s worth the switch? Here's a quick overview of the benefits you can expect to see with Simplii’s no fee chequing account and debit card:

No monthly fees to worry about
Unlimited transactions and Interac e-Transfers
No minimum balance
Free access to CIBC ATMs
Free international money transfers
Mastercard’s Zero Liability fraud protection

Learn more about each of these features and more right here:

Minimum Balance To Waive Fee

# Of Free Monthly Transactions

Unlimited

# Of Free Monthly Interac E-Transfers

Unlimited

Monthly Fee

$0.00

Overview Pros & Cons Product Features

Overview

3.2 Genius Rating

3.8 (14) User Reviews

Monthly fees on your chequing account can get as high as $30 per month, but thankfully the CIBC-owned digital bank Simplii has a solution for you. With the Simplii No-Fee Chequing account, you'll get unlimited access to your money, plus you can even use CIBC ATMs for free.

Pros & Cons

Pros

No monthly fee or minimum balance requirement
Free and unlimited transactions
Earn interest on your balance
Free international money transfers
Free access to over 3,400 CIBC ATMs
Get up to $125 in friend referrals

Cons

Going into overdraft can be costly
Extra fees on non-affiliated and international ATMs
No extra bells and whistles
Not available in Quebec

Product Features

Provinces

AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NU, NT, NS, ON, PE, SK, YT

Eligibility

Resident of Canada
Age of majority

Why You Want It

Get a $350 welcome bonus + Unlimited free transactions for no monthly fee.

Special Features

Free access to CIBC ATMs
Send money internationally for free
Valuable referral bonuses

Minimum Balance To Waive Fee

# Of Free Monthly Transactions

Unlimited

# Of Free Monthly Interac E-Transfers

Unlimited

Monthly Fee

$0.00

Excess Transaction Fee

N/A

Excess Interac E-Transfer Fee

N/A

Maximum Credit Card Annual Fee Waiver

N/A

Maximum Welcome Bonus

$350

Promo End Date

October 31, 2025

Physical Locations

Automatic Budgeting System

Minimum Interest Rate

0.01%

Earn Rewards On Debit Purchases

Free Cheques

Free Bank Drafts

Max Rebates For Other Accounts

N/A

Discounts For Seniors

Discounts For Youth

Other Discounts

Limited time: Earn a $350 cash welcome bonus when you become a new Simplii client, valid through October 31, 2024.

How to activate your Simplii Financial debit card

Existing Simplii clients have two options for activating a new Simplii debit Mastercard:

Online: Sign in to your mobile or online banking using your new card number and existing password
Transaction: Complete a transaction with your new card (you can still use the same PIN as before)

If you had an old Simplii card in your mobile wallet, remember to delete the old card and add the new one.

New Simplii clients have one option to activate their new Simplii debit card:

Transaction: Use your card to make a PIN transaction, then register for online banking and get the Simplii app to set up your account.

If you get stuck, call the Simplii customer service team at 1-888-723-8881.

FAQ

How long does it take for Simplii Financial debit card to arrive?

Once CIBC puts it in the mail, it typically takes between 5 and 10 business days for your Simplii Financial debit Mastercard to be delivered. This can vary, though, depending on where in Canada you live.

How do I replace my Simplii debit card?

The first step is to report your lost, stolen, or damaged debit card. Call Simplii customer service at 1-888-723-8881. They’ll verify your identity first and then mail you a new card. It’s free to replace the card once per year.

Can I use my Simplii card at CIBC?

You can use a CIBC ATM with your Simplii debit card for no fee. Although CIBC owns Simplii, Simplii is primarily a digital bank. You should use online banking or call customer service on the phone for help with your Simplii account.

Can you use Simplii debit card abroad?

Yes, you can make purchases anywhere in the world with your Simplii debit Mastercard, wherever Mastercard is accepted. Real customers report varying success overseas, so it's recommended that you bring some cash, just in case.

If you liked this article and want more practical ways to save money every day, we've compiled our best tips all in one place.

Editorial Disclaimer: The content here reflects the author's opinion alone, and is not endorsed or sponsored by a bank, credit card issuer, rewards program or other entity. For complete and updated product information please visit the product issuer's website.

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Comments

Ryana |August 8, 2023

My son has the new card and travelled to a city close by and used his debit card to buy bus tickets and it was declined. He had to pay cash. He tried to use it at a gas station and again it was denied. He paid cash. He went into the venue he was attending and it worked fine. How are we supposed to know what merchants are going to be a problem? And any suggestions on what we can do?

Yulia |August 8, 2023

Hey Ryana,

Acceptance of Debit Mastercard products can be frustrating for sure. It entirely depends on the merchant, so having a backup card (like a no fee Mastercard) could be a good failsafe.

Sara |July 20, 2023

Do NOT activate this new debit card from Simplii Financial!! If you activate the card, it will automatically replace and cancel your existing Simplii Financial bank card and there is no way of reverting back to the old bank card. I have just contacted Simplii Financial and this is what was confirmed to me. This is obviously done for the benefit of the merchants being able to pay lower merchant fees and the card issuer and Mastercard not needing to be compensating the customers in case of fraud all at the expense of the safety and security of the cards for the cardholder who now has credit + debit + bank accounts all commingled in one and would be fully responsible for any fraudulent purchases which would be instantly debited directly from the bank accounts linked to the card. Of course Simplii Financial/CIBC would have all the incentive to push this card onto us enticing us to activate this card right away without fully explaining to us the implications and consequences of activating the new card. This is very irresponsible and almost unscrupulous on Simplii Financial/CIBC's part. Very disappointed with them.

Rex |July 11, 2023

Why not give the option to have mastercard linked to ones bank account? Totally unsecure debit card

JR |July 1, 2023

Is there a currency conversion fee or or any other hidden fees related to international purchases?

Yulia |July 4, 2023

Hello, According to the Simplii website, foreign currency transactions are converted to Canadian dollars on or after the transaction date and no later than the transaction posting date. At the time of currency conversion, you are charged the same conversion rate that Simplii must pay, plus a fee of 2.5% of the converted amount, on both debits and credits. If you'd like to avoid this foreign transaction fee, you can check out our list of the best no fx cards in Canada. Hope this helps!

Jamie |June 12, 2023

I recently used tap at a car wash that no longer accepts credit card and my tap would not work as it was flagged as a Mastercard transaction. Are merchants now being charged Mastercard fees for tap transactions?

Yulia |June 12, 2023

Hey Jamie, According to the interchange fees downloadable on this page, Mastercard Debit transactions are charged a small fee, but this is much less than what Mastercard charges for credit card purchases, and is more in line with a standard debit fee (the RCC talks about debit fees here). It's possible your car wash terminal wasn't set up to identify the difference between Mastercard and Mastercard Debit.

Jorryme |June 8, 2023

So I can use my new debit card online with none of the credit card protections that credit card companies give? Whee. I’ll read the terms and conditions and decide then if I’ll be using it. Credit cards have a lot of consumer protections that debit cards do not.

Elizabeth P |April 28, 2023

I don't like being forced to be connected to mastercard debit so will be closing my Simplii accounts and moving my business elsewhere. We should have had the option to opt out of this forced change.

Alpheus |April 20, 2023

Why so many people in a hissy fit, for God sake get over yourself it's just an added feature you don't have to use. We live in a digital world now, take responsibility on your side and if your card is compromised Simplii will do their part by law. So stop your crying.

gunter |August 20, 2023

It's an unnecessary change and an added security risk you tool! How is that good?

m |April 27, 2023

My concern is that the funds come directly out of my bank account. At least with a credit card, I still had control over whether I pay the bill or not. In this case, my stolen card will result in immediate withdrawals without my knowledge, thus creating the possibility of being caught with insufficient funds when my mortgage or other payment comes automatically out. This is obviously bad. Now I'll have to rely on Simplii's willingness to refund the amount after I've finally noticed the card is gone. Meanwhile, the insufficient funds penalties keep adding up. Whats the limit on this card anyways? Still the same $ 250 per transaction, or is it now limited only by the amount of money in ones account? $250 per transaction get high pretty quick on Amazon and Ebay, etc... This is not an added feature, this is an added security risk.

junuin |August 20, 2023

Correct

Debbie Liddicott |April 13, 2023

I have not been able to use my Simplii debit master card in the UK at any ATM machine, just in store it works. I had no problem at ATM machines in the UK before this upgrade. They have sent me a new card here in the UK after I phoned, but still have the same problem. What I have noticed on the card, is that there is no Plus symbol on it, just the mastercard symbol and cirus symbol. Not happy

barb |April 7, 2023

Just another sneaky way to promote digital ID which SO many Canadians are against! Not buying your propoganda.

Jerry J |April 2, 2023

My current Simplii card expires in a couple of years, can I still keep using that if I don't activate this one? And will the replacement for that be the new type of card? I want to keep my number, I don't want to start with a new 16 digit card number.

Yulia |April 3, 2023

Hey Jerry, I'd look into reaching out to the Simplii Financial customer support directly with this question. You can do that by email, phone, or online chat. Here's their contact information. Hope this helps!

michael |March 24, 2023

Great now if someone steals my wallet they can use my debit card to make online purchases. Way to cancel my security with out asking. I actually just shredded the new card without activating it.

Peter |March 11, 2023

I asked ChatGPT about downsides. You have to be extremely persistent in extracting useful info about financial institutions. I decided not to activate this card.

DC |March 2, 2023

Received the new card but called simplii to have it deactivated. Not interested in having another Mastercard product in my wallet - already have MC credit card, why would I need this.

Patricia stanton |December 1, 2022

I have activated my new simply card but my mobile app is still showing old number? Do I delete app and download new app? I need to keep check of account by phone app

Yulia |December 2, 2022

Hey Patricia, I'd look into reaching out to the Simplii Financial customer support directly. You can do that by email, phone, or online chat. Here's their contact information. Hope this helps!

Jack |November 18, 2022

What does MasterCard get out of this arrangement? They must be making money somehow.

Steve |November 15, 2022

Do I need to have a MasterCard account for this to work?

Yulia |November 16, 2022

Hey Steve, You don't need to have a separate Mastercard account. The new Simplii debit card is now on the Mastercard network. It can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including online.

Paul |November 9, 2022

Simplii caused me NSF and damaged my reputation on eBay by sending me a new card with a new card number AND DID NOT MAKE IT CLEAR THE NUMBER WAS NEW. I had payments including PayPal linked to my card number. As soon as I used my new card, my old card number became invalid and any payment system that tried to draw payment from my account failed and went NSF and was cancelled by PayPal. What kind of financial institution changes your card number when they send you a new one? And then doesn;t make it clear the number has changed? Hello Tangerine.

Concerned |November 5, 2022

What if I don't want Mastercard to be directly linked to my bank account - what is my option to continue with my current agreement with simply my basic debit card. Are you taking this option away?

Concerned as well |November 19, 2022

My concern exactly. I will be using my debit till it fails and then its cash. I refuse to have Mastercard associated with my account. Should be an option and not assume everyone wants this. Hopefully an option to opt out.

Yulia |November 7, 2022

Hello, Even existing account holders' cards have been upgraded to Debit Mastercards. Please note that this is still a debit card, not a credit card, but now it can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including online.

Mari |October 13, 2022

I just received this in the mail and I'd like to learn the downsides. Will we be charged fees for using this card?

Yulia |October 13, 2022

Hey Mari, The Simplii No Fee Chequing Account is still free and has no transaction fees, even with the new Mastercard Debit. Since the debit card is now on the Mastercard network, it can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including online.

Russell Fox |September 14, 2022

I'm awaiting my new Simplii Financial debit mastercard. How long will it take?

Yulia |September 15, 2022

Hey Russell, I'd look into reaching out to the Simplii Financial customer support directly. You can do that by email, phone, or online chat. Here's their contact information. Hope this helps!

Tech Guy in BC |September 3, 2022

Very interesting, and glad to see this. I have not yet received my replacement card, presumably will receive it in the next several days. This is a good move by Simplii. There a number of things where payment must be done by credit card (online top up for public transit in my area is one example) so this allows for Mastercard functionality and network access without the need for a full fledged credit card. Also more convenient than having both an account and a prepaid Mastercard.