Scotiabank Precious Metals vs CanAm Bullion
Scotiabank vs CanAm Bullion
Scotiabank has a long history in precious metals and is a familiar name to Canadian buyers. Even so, buying as a retail customer runs through the bank's own channels. Set next to a dedicated dealer, the differences are selection depth, whether pricing is published per item, and where you can collect or vault metal.
Quick answer
Scotiabank is a major Canadian bank with a precious-metals history, but retail access runs through its own banking channels rather than a published per-product catalogue, and it is not listed on the Royal Canadian Mint's dealer directory. CanAm is a dedicated dealer, listed on the Royal Canadian Mint's dealer directory, with a Windsor walk-in counter, live per-product pricing, and insured Brink's vault storage in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary.
If you want a deep in-stock catalogue, live per-product pricing, and a counter you can walk into: a dedicated dealer is the more direct route. For buying through an existing banking relationship: Scotiabank.
Scotiabank and CanAm side by side
| Consideration | CanAm Bullion | Scotiabank |
|---|---|---|
| Core business | Physical bullion dealer | Bank with broad financial services |
| Royal Canadian Mint BULLION DNA directory | Listed (Windsor, ON) | Not listed |
| Physical product selection | Gold, silver, platinum across many mints | Narrower, varies by channel |
| Per-product pricing shown online | Live price on every product page | Typically via branch or advisor |
| Walk-in bullion counter | Windsor, ON | Not a dedicated bullion counter |
| Insured vault storage | Brink's in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary | Bank custody options vary |
| Direct bullion phone line | 1-877-513-9399 | General bank channels |
| GST/HST on 99.5%+ gold | Exempt (investment-grade) | Exempt (investment-grade) |
CanAm Bullion appears on the Royal Canadian Mint's dealer directory as a registered BULLION DNA dealer, listed in Windsor, Ontario. Scotiabank is not listed on that directory; bank precious-metals offerings run through the bank's own channels and change over time, so confirm current availability with Scotiabank directly.
What actually changes with a dedicated dealer
You see the price before you commit
Every CanAm product page shows the live price for that exact bar or coin, with no appointment needed.
You choose the exact product
Weight, mint, and format are buyer decisions rather than a generic allocation.
Selling back is straightforward
Buy-back is routine at a dealer whose core business is metal. Reach CanAm at 1-877-513-9399.
Where CanAm fits
CanAm carries physical inventory in Windsor, publishes a live price on every product, stores metal with Brink's in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, and employs people whose entire job is precious metals.
Buying gold partly as a hedge against a weaker Canadian dollar? CanAm Currency Exchange handles FINTRAC-regulated CAD and USD conversion under the same ownership.
Browse physical bullion at CanAm
- Buy Gold Bullion — full gold range with live per-product pricing.
- Gold Bars — from one gram through ten ounce, across major refiners.
- Buy Silver Bullion — silver coins, bars, and rounds.
- Compare bullion providers — see how CanAm stacks up against other dealers and banks.
Frequently asked questions
Does Scotiabank sell physical gold to retail buyers?
Retail precious-metals access runs through Scotiabank's own channels and changes over time, and Scotiabank is not listed on the Royal Canadian Mint's dealer directory. Confirm current availability, selection, and pricing with Scotiabank directly.
Is it cheaper to buy gold from a bank or a dealer?
It depends on the product and the day, but dealers typically publish a live price per product so you can compare against spot before you buy. Bank pricing is more often quoted through an advisor or branch.
Is buying gold from a bank safer?
Safety comes down to authenticity and storage. CanAm is listed on the Royal Canadian Mint's dealer directory and offers insured Brink's storage in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, with an A+ BBB rating and a 4.9 Google rating.
Do I pay GST or HST on gold in Canada?
Investment-grade gold at 99.5% purity or higher and investment-grade silver at 99.9% purity are generally exempt from GST/HST in Canada. Numismatic and collectible pieces can be treated differently.
What is the minimum to start buying gold?
At a dealer, the practical minimum is the price of the smallest product in stock, which can be a one-gram bar. Current prices are listed on each product page.
See the actual price before you buy
Every product at CanAm Bullion shows its live price. Royal Canadian Mint authorized, A+ BBB, 4.9 on Google, with insured Brink’s storage available.