Canadian Bankers Association survey shows 82 percent of Canadians now conduct most banking digitally

The Canadian Bankers Association published its How Canadians Bank in 2026 survey, finding that digital channels are now the main way Canadians manage personal banking. Overall, 82 percent of Canadians use online banking or a banking app for the majority of their transactions, up from 68 percent in 2016. App-led banking is rising across age groups, with apps serving as the primary method for 45 percent of Gen Z, 47 percent of Millennials, 41 percent of Gen X and 19 percent of Baby Boomers. Branch use has continued to fall, with average monthly visits declining to 1.5 from 1.8 in 2018, although 71 percent of Canadians still expect to visit a branch within the next five years. The survey also found that 88 percent of Canadians used online banking in the past year, up from 76 percent in 2016, and 45 percent identified it as their primary method. Banking app use reached 78 percent, up from 44 percent in 2016, with 37 percent naming it as their primary channel. Digital banking is also widespread among older Canadians, with 82 percent of Baby Boomers and 77 percent of Silent Generation respondents using digital channels for most transactions. Beyond core banking, respondents reported using e-Transfer twice as much as in 2018, while tap and pay usage rose to an average of 13.5 times per month from 9.1. The survey also found strong take-up of bank-provided spending and budgeting tools among younger customers, at 77 percent of Gen Z and 64 percent of Millennials.