Desjardins Review 2026
According to our idea, the TU Overall Score indicator should answer the biggest question of all: “Can I trust this broker with my money?”. The scores range within 0.01 – 9.99 (the higher the indicator the more trust the broker has). More details
- CAD 1,000
- Mobile Apps
- Disnat Direct
- Disnat Classic
- 1:2.33 (broker covers 70% of the asset value)
- Extended trading hours (pre-market and post-market sessions), limit orders, and support for trading in CAD and USD.
Our Evaluation of Desjardins
According to our idea, the TU Overall Score indicator should answer the biggest question of all: “Can I trust this broker with my money?”. The scores range within 0.01 – 9.99 (the higher the indicator the more trust the broker has). More details
Desjardins is a moderate-risk broker with the TU Overall Score of 5.71 out of 10. Having reviewed trading opportunities offered by the company and reviews posted by Desjardins clients on our website, Traders Union expert Anton Kharitonov recommends users to thoroughly analyze pros and cons before opening an account with this broker as not all clients are satisfied with the company, according to reviews.
Desjardins offers a broad spectrum of investment opportunities for Canadian residents, combining reliability and various tools. However, potential clients should consider specific factors like commission levels and a limited selection of international assets.
How we tested Desjardins
Traders Union has analyzed financial markets for over 14 years, evaluating brokers based on 250+ transparent criteria, including security, regulation, and trading conditions. Our expert team of over 50 professionals regularly updates a Watch List of 500+ brokers to provide users with data-driven insights. While our research is based on objective data, we recommend that users perform independent due diligence and consult official regulatory sources before making any financial decisions.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial policies.
Brief Look at Desjardins
Desjardins Courtage en ligne (Desjardins Online Brokerage), also known as Disnat, is part of the Desjardins Group, Canada's largest financial group founded in 1900. The brokerage division was launched in 1982 and has been offering a full range of online services since 2003. Desjardins is regulated by the Organisme canadien de réglementation des investissements (OCRI) and is a member of the Fonds canadien de protection des investisseurs (FCPI). The broker’s clients can trade stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bonds, and options through platforms of varying complexity, gaining access to Canadian and U.S. markets. Desjardins' services are exclusively available to Canadian residents.
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- Reliable regulation and state-level investment protection.
- Wide range of trading assets.
- Platforms for beginner and professional investors.
- Access to an educational center with video tutorials and articles.
- Support for accounts in Canadian (CAD) and U.S. dollars (USD).
- Real-time notifications and signals for investment monitoring.
- Mobile apps with biometric login.
- The minimum deposit is CAD 1,000.
- Unavailable to non-Canadian residents.
- Fees for certain trades are above the average level.
TU Expert Verdict
Chief Analytics Officer
Desjardins provides access to trading stocks, ETFs, bonds, and options for Canadian residents through Disnat Classic, Disnat Direct, and dedicated mobile apps. Clients can open a variety of account types such as standard, margin, retirement, and education-focused accounts, with funding available in CAD or USD. The broker is regulated by CIRO, with investor protection from FCPI and holds a Tier 1A capital adequacy ratio. Investors benefit from features including commission-free stock and ETF trading, extended trading hours on U.S. markets, real-time alerts, advanced market data for professionals, and seamless transfers within Desjardins’ financial ecosystem.
However, a notable drawback is that Desjardins is only available to Canadian residents. Additional disadvantages include a comparatively high minimum deposit of CAD 1,000 and above-average fees on certain products and services, including options and fixed-income commissions, as well as possible inactivity charges. As a result, Desjardins is best suited to active Canadian investors who value regulatory oversight, access to North American markets, and advanced trading features, rather than those looking for low-cost or internationally accessible brokerage options.
Desjardins Summary
Your capital is at risk. The risk of loss in online trading of stocks, options, futures, currencies, foreign equities, and fixed Income can be substantial.
| 💻 Trading platform: | Disnat Classic, Disnat Direct, and mobile apps |
|---|---|
| 📊 Accounts: | Compte au comptant, Compte sur marge, Compte sur marge – options, Compte de vente à découvert, REER, CELI, CELIAPP, FERR, CRI, FRV, REEE |
| 💰 Account currency: | CAD, USD |
| 💵 Deposit / Withdrawal: | AccèsD, through Desjardins branches, check by mail, bank transfer |
| 🚀 Minimum deposit: | CAD 1,000 |
| ⚖️ Leverage: | 1:2.33 (broker covers 70% of the asset value) |
| 💼 Copy Trading: | Yes |
| 📈️ Min Order: | 1 security for stocks and ETFs, 1 contract for options |
| 💱 EUR/USD spread: | Stocks and ETFs $0, options $1.25 per contract (minimum $8.75 per trade) |
| 🔧 Instruments: | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Mutual Funds, IPOs |
| 💹 Margin Call / Stop Out: | Margin call: 30-40%Stop Out: varies by asset. |
| 🏛 Liquidity provider: | No |
| 📱 Mobile trading: | Yes |
| ➕ Affiliate program: | No |
| 📋 Order execution: | Exchange |
| ⭐ Trading features: | Extended trading hours (pre-market and post-market sessions), limit orders, and support for trading in CAD and USD. |
| 🎁 Contests and bonuses: | Yes |
Desjardins allows trading during standard hours from 09:30 to 16:00 Eastern Time (ET) on both Canadian and American markets. Extended trading hours are also available from 08:00 to 09:29 (pre-market session) and from 16:01 to 17:00 (after-market session). Extended trading is supported only for stocks on the U.S. NYSE and NASDAQ exchanges, using day orders.
Desjardins Key Parameters Evaluation
Trading Account Opening
To create a user account on the Desjardins website, follow the next steps:
Click the button at the top of the screen to start the account opening process. Before proceeding, select the interface language: French or English.
Select the account type, trading platform, and account currency. Next, provide personal information (first and last name, date of birth, address, phone number, and email). A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is also required.
The final step is to confirm your identity and address. This requires uploading scanned documents, with a list displayed on the screen.
Additional features of Desjardins’ user account allow traders to:
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View and manage accounts.
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Create and edit buy and sell orders.
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Access real-time quotes and market data.
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Use analytical tools and reports.
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Deposit and withdraw funds, as well as transfer between accounts.
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Review trade history and account activity.
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Configure security settings, including two-factor authentication.
Is Desjardins Safe?
Desjardins Online Brokerage (Disnat) operates under the management of Desjardins Securities Inc., a member of the Organisme canadien de réglementation des investissements (OCRI) and Fonds canadien de protection des investisseurs (FCPI). This ensures that clients’ investments are safeguarded and that the company adheres to stringent financial activity standards.
Desjardins maintains a Tier 1A capital adequacy ratio, signifying that the company holds a sufficient amount of high-quality capital (common shares and retained earnings) to cover risk-weighted assets.
Advantages
- Membership in OCRI ensures compliance with high standards of professional activity
- Membership in FCPI guarantees investor protection in case of broker insolvency
- Regular supervision and audits increase the reliability and transparency of operations
Disadvantages
- Possible restrictions on certain investment products due to regulatory requirements
- Additional compliance procedures may slow down the account opening process
- Regulatory fees may be reflected in the cost of services for clients
Commissions and Fees
Disnat Classic and Disnat Direct platforms offer commission-free trading of stocks and ETFs. Options are subject to a $1.25 per contract fee, with an $8.75 minimum per trade. Fixed-income securities transactions incur a minimum $50 commission. Disnat Direct platform's market data access costs $35 per month for Level 1 and $105 per month for Level 2. These fees are waived for active traders who execute 41 or more trades per month and maintain a portfolio value of at least $15,000.
| Account type | Spread (minimum value) | Withdrawal commission |
|---|---|---|
| All accounts | 0 CAD / 0 USD for shares and ETFs | No |
An inactivity fee of $30 per quarter may also apply if the portfolio value is below $15,000 or fewer than 6 trades have been made in the past 12 months.
Below is a commission comparison between Desjardins and other brokers.
| Broker | Average commission | Level |
|---|---|---|
|
$12 | |
|
$ | |
|
$2 |
Account Types
All Canadian citizens and residents aged 18 and older can invest through Desjardins. Accounts are opened within 48 hours of applying and submitting required documents.
Account types:
Deposit and Withdrawal
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Withdrawal requests can be submitted in the user account on the trading platform or mobile app.
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Funds can only be withdrawn to the registered bank account linked to the client’s Desjardins account.
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Withdrawals can be made in CAD or USD, depending on the currency of the client’s account.
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Desjardins does not charge a withdrawal fee. However, the client’s bank or intermediary financial institutions may impose their fees for processing the transaction.
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Electronic transfers are only allowed between accounts registered under the client’s name. Transfers to third parties are not permitted.
Investment Options
Desjardins offers clients several options for passive income through various financial instruments.
Passive income options available with Desjardins:
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Savings Accounts. Place funds in savings accounts to generate income in annual interest. The rate depends on the account type: 1.15% on a regular savings account, 0.60% on TFSA, 1.15% on RRSP, and 2.75% on FHSA. Rates are subject to change, so it is recommended to regularly check the Desjardins website for up-to-date information.
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Bond Investments. Purchase government or corporate bonds to receive regular interest income.
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Dividend Stocks. Invest in stocks of companies that regularly pay dividends to their shareholders.
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Mutual Funds. Invest in mutual funds to earn returns from a diversified portfolio of securities managed by professional fund managers.
By leveraging these instruments, Desjardins clients can effectively build sources of passive income. Diversifying investments and selecting reliable financial products contribute to stable and predictable income.
Desjardins’ affiliate program
Desjardins offers various forms of partnerships for businesses, providing special offers and services tailored to entrepreneurs' needs. However, there is currently no information about referral programs for individual clients or partnership programs for individuals.
Customer Support
Desjardins representatives are available Monday through Friday from 08:00 to 17:00 (ET).
Advantages
- Multiple communication channels
- Professional service
Disadvantages
- The company does not provide support via messengers
Support Channels:
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Email.
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Phone.
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Fax.
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User account on the broker’s website.
Contacts
| Registration address | 1170 Rue Peel, Montréal, QC H3B 0B1 |
|---|---|
| Regulation | OCRI |
| Official site | https://www.disnat.com/en |
| Contacts |
1-866-873-7103
|
Education
Desjardins offers extensive educational resources for investors seeking to deepen their understanding of the stock market and investment strategies. The company's website covers a wide range of topics, from the fundamentals of stock trading to advanced analytical techniques.
Desjardins' team of analysts and experts hosts free webinars for beginner investors in both French and English. A schedule of sessions and application forms (exclusively for broker clients) can be found on the company's website.
Detailed review of Desjardins
Desjardins provides access to stocks on major U.S. exchanges, including NASDAQ, NYSE, AMEX, and CBOE. Additionally, users can trade on Canadian exchanges, including the TSX Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, CNSX, Neo Exchange, and the Montreal Exchange, which specializes in options. Regarding the over-the-counter (OTC) market, Desjardins offers limited options. The only OTC transaction available is the purchase and sale of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which can only be conducted by phone.
Desjardins by the numbers:
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Over 7.7 million clients.
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More than $422.9 billion in total assets.
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Capital adequacy ratio: 20.4%.
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Over 56,000 employees.
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More than 650 service points.
Desjardins is a broker for beginners and professional investors
The brokerage firm offers two trading platforms to cater to different investor experience levels. Disnat Classic is a user-friendly platform suitable for both novice and experienced investors. It features an intuitive interface for real-time trading of stocks, options, and other instruments. Optimized for various devices, including smartphones, it provides access to analytical data and the latest news.
The Disnat Direct platform, designed for professional investors, offers real-time market data and charting. Additional fees may apply for its use.
Desjardins’ analytical services:
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Real-time quotes. Accessible through a subscription and electronic agreement on the broker’s website.
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Portfolio analysis and management. Advanced data analysis tools, detailed investment reports, and integration with historical data for trend evaluation.
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Risk management tools. Customizable alerts for target prices, portfolio balancing services, and built-in tools for assessing and mitigating market risks.
Advantages:
Webinars and educational events
Personalized consultations with financial specialists
Convenient money transfers via the AccèsD system
Financial planning tools, including contribution and tax calculators
Functional web platforms for managing investments from any device
Client accounts are protected by two-factor authentication, which cannot be disabled.
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