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How to Open a Desjardins Online Brokerage (Disnat) Account (2026): Step-by-Step, $0 Commissions, TFSA and Fees
To open a Desjardins Online Brokerage (Disnat) account: 1. Go to the Desjardins Online Brokerage site and choose Open an account. 2. Pick your account type: TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP or a cash/margin account. 3. Enter your personal details, SIN, employment and financial information. 4. Verify your identity online with government ID (or at a Desjardins branch). 5. Sign the agreements electronically. 6. Fund by transfer from a Desjardins or other bank account, or transfer an existing account in. 7. Place your first trade. Desjardins charges $0 commissions on online Canadian and US stock and ETF trades. Reviews commonly cite a $1,000 opening minimum and a quarterly inactivity fee on some accounts, so check the current fee schedule. You must be a Canadian resident and the age of majority. Applying takes about 20 minutes.
What Desjardins Online Brokerage (Disnat) is
Desjardins Online Brokerage, still widely known by its old name Disnat, is the self-directed investing arm of Desjardins Group, the large Quebec-based financial co-operative. It serves investors across Canada in English and French, and you don't need to be a Desjardins member or live in Quebec.
It's one of a handful of Canadian brokers charging $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs, alongside Wealthsimple, Questrade, National Bank Direct Brokerage and Qtrade.
What it costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Canadian and US stocks and ETFs (online) | $0 commission |
| Options | About $1.25 per contract, with a minimum per trade |
| Mutual funds | Most commission-free |
| Fixed income | Commission with a minimum |
| Opening minimum | Commonly cited at $1,000 |
| Inactivity fee | A quarterly fee (about $30 in reviews) may apply to some accounts with low activity or balances |
| Currency conversion | Spread on CAD/USD conversions |
Figures based on published reviews; check Desjardins' current fee schedule before opening.
Step-by-step: how to open an account
Before you start, have ready: your SIN, a government-issued photo ID, your address and employment details, banking information for funding, and (for an FHSA) confirmation that you're a first-time home buyer.
Step 1: Go to Desjardins Online Brokerage
Visit the Desjardins Online Brokerage website and choose Open an account. Desjardins members can start from AccèsD.
Step 2: Choose your account type
| Account | Use it for |
|---|---|
| TFSA | Tax-free growth on any goal. See how to open a TFSA |
| RRSP | Retirement, with a tax deduction now |
| FHSA | Saving for your first home, deductible and tax-free |
| RESP | Children's education, with government grants |
| Cash or margin | Non-registered investing |
Not sure? Compare TFSA vs RRSP and TFSA vs FHSA. Some account types may need to be opened by phone.
Step 3: Enter your details
Provide your name, address, date of birth, SIN, citizenship, employment and financial information (income, net worth, investment knowledge). This is required under Canadian investment rules to confirm the account suits you.
Step 4: Verify your identity
Verify online with government ID, or visit a Desjardins caisse. Desjardins may contact you if anything needs to be confirmed.
Step 5: Sign the agreements
Review and sign the account agreement and disclosures electronically. For US stocks, you'll also complete a W-8BEN so US dividends are taxed at the treaty rate.
Step 6: Fund your account
- Bank transfer from Desjardins or another Canadian bank
- Transfer an existing account in from another broker. Always request a direct transfer for a TFSA or RRSP, never a withdrawal. Our TFSA and RRSP transfer guide explains why.
Step 7: Place your first trade
Search for a stock or ETF, choose a limit order for better price control, and submit. New to orders? See market vs limit orders.
Pros and cons
Pros
- $0 commissions on stocks and ETFs
- Wide range of registered accounts, including FHSA and RESP
- Fully bilingual service
- Backed by Desjardins Group
Cons
- Opening minimum (commonly $1,000) where several rivals have none
- Possible quarterly inactivity fee
- Platform is functional rather than slick
- Currency conversion costs on US trades
How Disnat compares
| Desjardins (Disnat) | Wealthsimple | Questrade | National Bank Direct | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stocks/ETFs | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Minimum | ~$1,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FHSA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bilingual | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Compare all of them in our best online brokers in Canada, or see how to open National Bank Direct Brokerage, the other big Quebec-based $0 option.
The bottom line
Desjardins Online Brokerage is a solid $0-commission broker with every major registered account and fully bilingual service. Opening an account takes about 20 minutes. It's a natural fit if you already bank with Desjardins. Watch the opening minimum and inactivity fee; if those matter to you, Wealthsimple or National Bank Direct Brokerage have none.
This guide is educational and not a recommendation. Fees and account requirements change; confirm with Desjardins before opening an account.
Frequently asked questions
Is Disnat the same as Desjardins Online Brokerage?
Yes. Disnat is the long-standing name of Desjardins' self-directed online brokerage, now branded Desjardins Online Brokerage. Many investors and reviews still call it Disnat.
Does Desjardins Online Brokerage charge commissions?
Desjardins Online Brokerage charges $0 commissions on online stock and ETF trades. Options carry a per-contract fee with a minimum, and fixed-income, phone-assisted and some other trades cost extra. Check the current fee schedule.
What is the minimum to open a Disnat account?
Reviews commonly cite a $1,000 minimum deposit to open an account, though conditions vary by account type. Brokers such as Wealthsimple, National Bank Direct Brokerage and CIBC Investor's Edge have no minimum.
Can I open a TFSA with Desjardins Online Brokerage?
Yes. Desjardins Online Brokerage offers TFSAs, RRSPs, FHSAs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIRAs and non-registered cash and margin accounts. Some account types may need to be opened by phone rather than fully online.
Do I need to be a Desjardins member or live in Quebec?
No. You don't need to bank with Desjardins or live in Quebec. You need to be a Canadian resident who has reached the age of majority in your province. Service is available in English and French.
Is Desjardins Online Brokerage safe?
Desjardins Online Brokerage is part of Desjardins Group, one of Canada's largest financial institutions. Its dealer is a CIRO member, and eligible accounts are protected by CIPF up to $1 million per account category if the dealer becomes insolvent.
Primary sources
- Desjardins Online Brokerage — Pricing and fees
- Desjardins Online Brokerage — Open an account
- Canada Revenue Agency — Tax-Free Savings Account guide (RC4466)
- Canada Revenue Agency — First Home Savings Account (FHSA)
- Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO)
- Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF)
Data & disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial or investment advice. Figures reflect data available as of Nov 4, 2026, and conditions change — always confirm current pricing, rates and rules with the provider before you act. Written by Elizabeta Dimoska. See our editorial standards and disclosure.
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