RBC InvestEase review
Best for: RBC clients and new investors who want a managed ETF portfolio with one flat fee, no minimum to open and advice by phone or email.
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Plus applicable sales taxes, billed monthly. The same rate at every balance.
Core 0.12% to 0.20%; Responsible Investing 0.17% to 0.25% (weighted averages).
Money is invested once your balance reaches $100; $100 to $1,499 goes into a Starter Portfolio.
Plus non-registered. RESP, RRIF, spousal RRSP and joint accounts aren’t offered or mentioned.
To a non-RBC institution. Withdrawals themselves are free.
The bottom line
RBC InvestEase builds and manages ETF portfolios for a flat 0.50% management fee plus sales taxes, with fund fees of about 0.12% to 0.25% on top. There’s no minimum to open, and Portfolio Advisors are available by phone or email. The trade-offs are a short account list, limited to TFSA, RRSP, FHSA and non-registered accounts, and no lower rate for bigger balances.
Pros & cons
Pros
- No minimum to open; investing starts at $100
- Core and Responsible Investing versions of each portfolio
- Portfolio Advisors available by phone or email
- No fees to withdraw from your account
- FHSA available alongside the TFSA and RRSP
Cons
- Same 0.50% rate at every balance, with no tiers
- No RESP, RRIF, spousal RRSP or joint accounts
- $150 plus tax to transfer to a non-RBC institution
- No information on U.S. dollar accounts
A straightforward choice for RBC clients and beginners who want a managed portfolio with no opening minimum. Larger investors and anyone needing an RESP, RRIF or joint account will find the flat fee and short account list limiting.
Suits you if
- You are starting small and want no opening minimum
- You want to talk to a Portfolio Advisor
- You want a Responsible Investing version of your portfolio
Look elsewhere if
- You need an RESP, RRIF or joint account
- You have a large balance and want tiered fees
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Who RBC InvestEase suits
RBC InvestEase is RBC’s managed investing service. It describes itself as a restricted portfolio manager providing access to model portfolios: you hold an ETF portfolio that its Portfolio Advisors monitor and rebalance, and you can get advice from them by phone or email. It suits RBC clients and new investors who want a hands-off portfolio with no minimum to open.
It is a weaker fit for investors with large balances, since the fee doesn’t drop as you grow, and for families who need an RESP or joint account.
Fees in plain English
The annual management fee is 0.50% plus applicable sales taxes, billed monthly on your average assets under management. RBC lists one rate, with no tiers or large-balance discounts. The ETFs carry their own fund fees (MER): weighted averages of 0.12% to 0.20% for Core portfolios and 0.17% to 0.25% for Responsible Investing portfolios. The RBC FAQ gives two different dates for these MER figures, so treat the ranges as approximate.
RBC says there are no surprise transaction or administrative fees and no fees to withdraw funds. Transferring your account to a non-RBC institution costs $150 plus applicable sales taxes, and if you close your account you pay any outstanding management fee on a prorated basis.
RBC has also run a limited-time management fee waiver for new accounts, along with transfer fee reimbursements and a referral program. Terms and eligibility change, so check the current details.
Portfolios and how investing starts
RBC InvestEase offers six ETF portfolio types, ranging from Short-Term Bond to Aggressive Growth, and each comes in a Core or Responsible Investing version.
There’s no minimum to open an account, but your money isn’t invested until your balance reaches $100. Balances of $100 to $1,499 go into a Starter Portfolio.
Accounts offered
You can open a TFSA, RRSP, FHSA or non-registered account. RESPs, spousal RRSPs, joint accounts and RRIFs aren’t offered or aren’t mentioned on RBC InvestEase pages, so families saving for school and retirees drawing income will need another option. RBC InvestEase pages also don’t address U.S. dollar accounts or currency conversion.
Protection and regulation
RBC Direct Investing Inc. provides custodial services for the money you invest with RBC InvestEase. It is regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), which protects your account up to certain limits if RBC Direct Investing Inc. becomes insolvent. RBC notes that the CIPF does not protect against losses from market movements or from the activities of RBC InvestEase. RBC also offers an Online Security Guarantee for unauthorized transactions made through your dashboard.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does RBC InvestEase start investing my money?
You can open an account with no minimum, but your money isn’t invested until your balance reaches $100. Balances of $100 to $1,499 are invested in a Starter Portfolio.
Is sales tax added to the RBC InvestEase management fee?
Yes. The fee is 0.50% a year plus applicable sales taxes. It is billed monthly based on your average assets under management.
Can I open an RESP with RBC InvestEase?
RESPs aren’t offered or mentioned on RBC InvestEase pages. The confirmed account types are the TFSA, RRSP, FHSA and non-registered account.
How do RBC InvestEase Core and Responsible Investing portfolios differ on cost?
Both carry the same 0.50% management fee. The fund fees differ: Core portfolios have weighted average MERs of 0.12% to 0.20%, and Responsible Investing portfolios 0.17% to 0.25%.
Does RBC InvestEase charge a fee to withdraw money?
No. RBC says you won’t pay any fees to withdraw funds from your account. Transferring the whole account to a non-RBC institution is different and costs $150 plus applicable sales taxes.
What fees apply if I close my RBC InvestEase account?
RBC says you’ll only be charged any outstanding management fee, on a prorated basis. If you move the account to a non-RBC institution, the $150 transfer fee also applies.
Can I speak to a person about my RBC InvestEase portfolio?
Yes. RBC InvestEase Portfolio Advisors monitor and rebalance portfolios and give advice by phone or email.
What does the RBC InvestEase Online Security Guarantee cover?
RBC lists an Online Security Guarantee for unauthorized transactions made through your RBC InvestEase dashboard. Read RBC’s terms for the conditions that apply.
Sources
Fees and features come from RBC InvestEase’s own site and fee schedule, checked October 14, 2026. They can change at any time, so confirm them before you open an account. Investing involves risk, including the loss of money you invest. See our methodology.