Bank services:need advise on choosing a good bank

[Honolulu]

Hello All,
I will land in late December this year.
Of these three do you have suggestions on which is a good Bank:

1. Scotia Bank
2. Bank of Montreal
3. HSBC

Any particular advantage/disadvantage in any of them?

Thanks

 

[cono_sur]

I use Bank of Montreal - mostly because of the Air Miles. ;D

When you land, you should receive a magazine with articles and ads. There should be an ad or two in there from banks with special offers just for Immigrants.

 

[rubyalabar]

Scotiabank has a program that is specifically for newcomers to Canada, check the link

http://www.scotiabank.com/cda/content/0,1608,CID12961_LIDen,00.html

 

[steaky]

HSBC has less branches than the other two.

 

[Honolulu]

Thanks all!
One more question:
I bring most of my money in American Express Travellers Checks.
I come from the US so it will be American Dollars.

Will there be a high exchange rate charged?

Any other way I can bring the money i.e. less expensive?