Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
BMO InvestorLine vs FBS
What sets them apart
| Compare |  BMO InvestorLine |  FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Stock trade fee | CA$0 | $0 |
| Account fee | CA$0 | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | CA$0 | $0 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Bonds, Funds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Metals |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $0 EFT, $10 wire | Free |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $5 |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 66.43% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.4% to 1.6% | Not confirmed |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Margin rate | 8.75% | Not confirmed |
| Options contract fee | CA$0.90 | Not confirmed |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 |
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Key differences
- BMO InvestorLine scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.1.
- Founded is lower at BMO InvestorLine: 1988 vs 2009.
- Markets: only BMO InvestorLine offers Options, Bonds, Funds.
- Markets: only FBS offers Forex, CFDs, Metals.
- Support channels: only BMO InvestorLine offers Chat.
- Support channels: only FBS offers Email, Help centre.
- Features: only BMO InvestorLine offers Options.
- Features: only FBS offers Demo account.
Our verdict on each
BMO InvestorLine
BMO InvestorLine suits Canadian investors who want a bank-backed broker without account or inactivity charges, trading stocks and ETFs commission free. What sets it apart is the pairing of a CAD 0 stock trade fee with a CAD 0 account fee, though currency conversion and options add cost.
FBS
Fbs Partners suits readers who want a plain, low cost picture from a firm regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission: the account fee is $0 and the stock trade fee is $0. The EUR/USD spread of 0.5% and the retail loss rate of 66.43% are the figures to weigh before funding.
Score breakdown
| Area | BMO InvestorLine | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2Commission-free stock and ETF trades, no account fee and no inactivity fee, with options and margin priced separately at CAD 0.90 and 8.75%. | 9.3Higher |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.3Higher |
| Trust | 9.6Higher | 8.8 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | BMO InvestorLine | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Forex | No | Yes |
| CFDs | No | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Funds | Yes | No |
| Metals | No | Yes |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | BMO InvestorLine | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 43 of 490 | 101 of 490 |
| Low-fee brokers | 6 of 11 | 10 of 11 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | BMO InvestorLine | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BMO InvestorLine | FBS |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Options | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Commission free |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Beginners |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Tradestone Limited |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | Cyprus |
| Founded | 1988Lower | 2009 |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BMO InvestorLine | FBS | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $5below the median | $10 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 66.43%below the median | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0.4% to 1.6%at the median | Not confirmed | 0.4 |
| EUR/USD spread | Not confirmed | 0.5%below the median | 0.6% |
| Margin rate | 8.75%below the median | Not confirmed | 8.79% |
| Options contract fee | CA$0.90at the median | Not confirmed | CA$0.90 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
BMO InvestorLine
Pros
- Stock and ETF trades cost CAD 0 and the account fee is CAD 0, so holding a portfolio costs nothing.
- The inactivity fee is CAD 0, so an untouched account is not charged.
- Support runs on phone and chat, giving a phone line and live chat.
Cons
- Margin borrowing is priced at 8.75%, so a leveraged position carries a borrowing cost.
- Options contracts carry a fee of CAD 0.90 each.
- Currency conversion is the hidden cost, at 0.4% to 1.6%, and deposits and withdrawals run $0 EFT, $10 wire.
FBS
Pros
- An account regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission licenses Tradestone Limited under 331/17, so the contract has a named entity behind it.
- The stock trade fee is $0 on a commission free model, so dealing in the shares and ETFs inside stocks, etfs and forex carries no ticket charge.
- The inactivity fee is $0, so a dormant balance is not quietly drained by account charges.
Cons
- The EUR/USD spread of 0.5% is the charge that lands on every forex and CFD trade, so currency traders feel it more than the flat fees suggest.
- The minimum deposit of $5 sits above CFI's $0, so readers who want the smallest opening balance have a lower floor elsewhere.
- The market list stocks, etfs and forex leaves out crypto and futures, which eToro covers in stocks, etfs and forex.
Who each suits
BMO InvestorLine
Who it suits
- Investors who want a long term stock, ETF, bond and fund portfolio without a standing account charge.
- Traders who mainly trade Canadian equities and want phone and chat support for questions.
- Anyone already inside a bank relationship who values a long operating history.
Who should look elsewhere
- Day traders who live in currencies other than the Canadian dollar and would feel the 0.4% to 1.6% on every conversion.
- Options buyers who place frequent contracts and would pay CAD 0.90 each time.
- Leveraged traders, because margin costs 8.75%.
FBS
Who it suits
- Beginners opening a new trading account: the minimum deposit is $5 and the account fee is $0.
- Readers who hold shares and ETFs alongside forex: stocks, etfs and forex covers that mix on the same account.
- European readers who want a Cyprus regulated firm: Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission licenses the entity behind the brand.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers who want the smallest possible opening balance: CFI takes $0.
- Readers who need crypto or futures in the same account: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, and those lines sit outside stocks, etfs and forex.
- Readers who want crypto added to a forex, CFD, stock, ETF and metals mix: Vantage covers forex, cfds and stocks.
Questions about each
BMO InvestorLine
How much does it cost to open and hold a BMO InvestorLine account?+
The account fee is CAD 0 and the inactivity fee is CAD 0, so there is no standing or dormant charge on the account. Stock and ETF trades themselves cost CAD 0. The costs that do appear are on currency conversion, options and margin.
What does it cost to trade a stock or an ETF?+
Stock and ETF trades are commission free, priced at CAD 0. The platform is listed as a commission-free model. Costs appear elsewhere: currency conversion at 0.4% to 1.6%, options at CAD 0.90 per contract, and margin at 8.75%.
FBS
What does it cost to run an account at Fbs Partners?+
The account fee is $0, the stock trade fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so nothing is charged for holding the account, dealing in shares or leaving a balance idle. Deposits and withdrawals carry no charge either. What remains on a forex or CFD trade is the spread, quoted at 0.5% on EUR/USD.
How much does the EUR/USD spread cost in practice?+
The EUR/USD spread is 0.5%. On a currency pair that spread is the dealer's charge for opening and closing, so it lands on every position rather than on a ticket line. The stock trade fee of $0 and the account fee of $0 sit alongside it, which makes the spread the number to size positions around.