RBC Direct Investing is the online brokerage of Royal Bank of Canada, run by RBC Direct Investing Inc., a CIRO-regulated investment dealer and CIPF member. Its full-suite account covers stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, mutual funds and GICs in registered and non-registered accounts, while GoSmart is a simpler app-based account for newer investors with commission-free trades on select ETFs. It fits RBC banking clients who want their investments and bank accounts in one place.
Risk warning: Trading carries a high risk of losing money, especially with leveraged products such as CFDs. A bonus does not reduce that risk. Only deposit what you can afford to lose.
RBC Direct Investing
Open your first RBC GoSmart account by November 2, 2026 and contribute at least C$2,000 by February 2, 2027 to get C$100 cash, paid within 7 days of qualifying. GoSmart is currently only for RBC banking clients using the RBC Mobile app.
RBC Direct Investing
New RBC Direct Investing clients who open an account through RBC's promotional link by November 2, 2026 and bring in at least C$2,500 by November 30, 2026 get 3% cash back in registered accounts and 1% in cash or margin accounts, capped at C$15,000, if the assets stay until November 30, 2028.
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RBC Direct Investing is the online brokerage of Royal Bank of Canada, operated by RBC Direct Investing Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary that is a separate legal entity from the bank. Since late 2024 RBC has reported it inside its Wealth Management segment. It offers two experiences: the full-suite account, with registered and non-registered accounts, options, margin and access to 18 global markets, and GoSmart, a simpler registered-only account that lives inside the RBC Mobile app.
RBC Direct Investing Inc. is a CIRO-regulated investment dealer and a CIPF member. CIPF protects up to $1 million of missing client property across general accounts (cash, margin, TFSA and FHSA combined), another $1 million across registered retirement accounts and $1 million across RESPs if the firm fails. It does not protect against market losses. CIRO's recent fines against RBC in 2024 and 2026 concern a different subsidiary, RBC Dominion Securities, not the direct investing arm.
Stock and ETF trades in the full-suite account cost $9.95 online ($6.95 at 150 or more trades a quarter), options add $1.25 per contract, and more than 50 ETFs trade free. There is no account maintenance fee on any balance, which is unusual for a bank brokerage. GoSmart gives 50 free stock and ETF trades a year, then $9.95.
The costs that bite are on the way out and on currency. A transfer out of any account costs $150, RRSP withdrawals cost $50 each, and USD conversion on amounts under $25,000 carries a spread RBC lists as 230 basis points, falling for larger amounts. Cash balances earn no interest. If you will hold US stocks through the bonus period, plan the currency side before you fund.
RBC's Summer-Fall 2026 offer pays 3% of net transferred assets in registered accounts (TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, LIRA, RESP, RIF and others) and 1% in cash or margin accounts, up to $15,000 per client. There is no promo code: you open the account through RBC's promotional link between July 31 and November 2, 2026, and bring in at least $2,500 in cash or listed securities by November 30, 2026. Cash from an RBC bank account counts, but transfers from RBC Dominion Securities, RBC InvestEase or Royal Mutual Funds do not.
As with TD, the price is a two-year commitment. RBC pays half by December 31, 2027 and half by December 31, 2028, each based on what is still there on November 30. Withdrawals, de-registrations and transfers out during the campaign reduce the reward, dropping below $2,500 ends any further payment, and the account must stay free of debit balances and margin calls until the last payout. You must also be new to RBC Direct Investing: no account in the two years before July 31, 2026.
Separately, RBC covers up to $200 of the transfer fee your old broker charges ($500 for Royal Circle and Royal Distinction clients) on transfers of $15,000 or more, if you send proof within six months.
GoSmart has its own smaller deal: open your first GoSmart account by November 2, 2026, contribute at least $2,000 by February 2, 2027, and RBC pays $100 cash within seven days. The terms set no holding period after payment. Two limits matter. GoSmart is currently available only to RBC banking clients using the RBC Mobile app, and it cannot accept transfers in from other investment accounts, so the $2,000 must be a fresh contribution that uses your TFSA, FHSA or RRSP room. RBC says the two offers can be combined, but money in GoSmart does not count toward the 3% offer.
Both offers require Canadian residency and the age of majority in your province or territory. RBC can amend or withdraw either offer and can withhold a reward from clients it believes are abusing it. In registered plans the reward is paid into the plan and RBC says it is not a contribution, but checking your contribution room, and any over-contribution penalty, stays your responsibility.
Yes. RBC pays 3% on net transferred assets in registered accounts and 1% in cash or margin accounts, up to $15,000, if you open through its promotional link by November 2, 2026, fund at least $2,500 by November 30, 2026 and keep the assets until November 30, 2028. Half arrives by December 31, 2027 and half by December 31, 2028.
No. Neither the 3% offer nor the GoSmart $100 offer uses a code. The account has to be opened through RBC's promotional link (or the GoSmart QR code) during the offer window.
Not at the moment. RBC says GoSmart is currently only for RBC clients using the RBC Mobile app. Open your first GoSmart account by November 2, 2026 and contribute $2,000 by February 2, 2027 to receive $100 within seven days.
RBC's terms allow both, but they work separately: money in GoSmart does not count toward the 3% offer, which needs a full-suite account with at least $2,500 transferred in.
Yes. On transfers of $15,000 or more from a non-RBC investment account, RBC covers up to $200 in fees, or up to $500 for Royal Circle and Royal Distinction members, with proof of payment within six months.