J.D. Power surveyed over 5,000 Canadian digital bank users to evaluate mobile app and website experiences across four pillars: digital design and usability, system performance, security, and support. The findings show that the banks leading in satisfaction aren't winning on features — they're winning on fundamentals. Fast load times, clear account information, intuitive navigation, and reliable money movement are the real differentiators.

AI-powered virtual assistants are gaining ground, but unevenly. When users see their bank's assistant as truly capable and comprehensive, satisfaction scores jump by 160 points. The catch: that sense of capability falls apart fast when tasks get complex. Reporting fraud, resolving disputes, or navigating anything high-stakes often leaves users trapped in loops or met with generic responses — the opposite of reassuring.

White argues the next frontier isn't more automation. It's better handoffs — clear, prescriptive guidance that moves a customer to the right human at the right moment. According to the research, that's actually one of the top four things Canadians want AI to do for them.

TD ranked highest among banking apps. CIBC led for website experience. Tangerine topped the credit card mobile app category with a score of 737, compared to American Express at 717 in second place.

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