Women and financial well-being

Financial well-being means being able to meet your financial needs, feeling secure about your financial future, and being free to make choices that allow you to enjoy life.

It reduces stress, supports mental health and contributes to your overall quality of life. In short, it’s empowering!

Three friends stand close together outdoors on a grassy field with trees in the background. They’re smiling warmly at the camera. The person on the left has short blond hair and wears a light shirt with an orange jacket draped over their shoulders. The person in the middle has blond hair tied back and wears a light gray shirt. The person on the right has long dark hair and wears a colorful jacket with purple, teal, and orange accents.

The importance of financial confidence

When you have financial confidence, you’re better equipped to invest in your future, support your loved ones and, most importantly, take care of yourself.

At CDIC, helping depositors understand their coverage and how to keep their money safe is a top priority because knowing about deposit protection is an important step toward financial well-being.

Financial protection is empowerment

On International Women’s Day, CDIC recognizes the achievements of women globally and knows that empowerment isn’t just about earning more; it’s also protecting what you’ve worked hard to build.

Financial confidence is the foundation for financial well-being and deposit protection provides that confidence so you can plan, save and grow your finances with peace of mind. Knowing your deposits are protected can help with life’s stages and transitions whether starting a business, starting a family, planning for retirement or saving for a home.

The financial literacy gender gap

Unfortunately, research shows that, around the world, women tend to have lower financial literacy on matters like budgeting, saving, investing, managing debt and other money-management concepts. There is a lot of research [1] that finds that women, on average, answer fewer financial knowledge questions correctly than men across different regions and age groups.

It’s important that we all do what we can to shrink that gap!

Do you want to improve your financial literacy or help someone you know? The Government of Canada has compiled a list of resources to help you manage your money, debt, investments and plan for retirement.

CDIC and the financial well-being of women

CDIC works to shrink the awareness gap with our public awareness strategy and women in Canada are paying attention!

CDIC regularly measures financial literacy across Canada, and overall, women are roughly 15% less likely than men, across different age categories, to be aware of federal deposit protection. That’s compared to the average gap of 20% only 5 years ago. The improvement is significant!

 

Current awareness level among Canadians

62% of women

are aware of CDIC

77% of men

are aware of CDIC

69% of Canadians

are aware of CDIC

Awareness by age group

Age groupAllMenWomen
18-3459%67%52%
35-4966%75%56%
50-6475%83%68%
65+79%87%72%

* data as of December 2025

Find our most up-to-date awareness numbers.

Now, let’s talk CDIC and deposit protection

The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation was established by the Government of Canada to protect deposits in case of bank failure. Coverage is free and automatic when you bank with a member institution.

An aerial daytime view of a coastal city skyline surrounded by water and mountains in the distance. Several CDIC logos are superimposed, hovering over various buildings across the city.

Our mandate

The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation was established in 1967 to achieve the following:

Provide insurance against the loss of part or all of deposits.

Promote and otherwise contribute to the stability of the financial system in Canada.

Act for the benefit of depositors while minimizing loss.

What’s covered, what’s not

Eligible deposits

  • Deposits in Canadian or foreign currency (including via payroll, Interac e-transfer, or cheque)
  • Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs)
  • Other term deposits

Products that are not eligible

  • Mutual funds
  • Stocks and bonds
  • Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
  • Cryptocurrencies

Why CDIC cares about improving financial literacy

Improving the financial literacy of depositors, particularly women where awareness is still lower than men, is a priority for CDIC. Awareness of federal deposit protection lowers the risk of depositors running on their institution in times of uncertainty.

Female financial advisor consulting a client at the meeting and having a business conversation.

Deposit insurance FAQs

Do I need to sign up for CDIC deposit insurance?

No. You do not need to sign up for deposit insurance. Coverage is free and automatic for eligible deposits in any of our member institutions. In the event of a failure, CDIC relies on the records of the failed institution to obtain your contact information and determine your deposit insurance protection.

What is a CDIC member institution? 

CDIC member institutions include federally regulated deposit-taking institutions such as banks, trust companies, loan companies, and federal credit unions.

What if I have money in a provincial credit union?

Each of Canada’s 10 provinces has a provincial deposit insurer that protects provincial credit unions.

If I have more than $100,000, can I keep my savings safe?

Yes. CDIC’s coverage limit applies separately to each deposit category at each member institution. This means that eligible deposits in your chequing or savings accounts – and unregistered term deposits in your name – are protected separately from those in RRSPs, TFSAs, RRIFs, and so on. 

How does CDIC insurance apply to joint deposits?

Joint deposits (in the names of two or more people) are insured separately from the owners’ eligible deposits held in other insured categories, such as those held in their individual names. Each eligible joint deposit is protected for up to $100,000 per set of joint owners, regardless of the number of people who own the deposit.

Does CDIC coverage of $100,000 include principal and interest?

Yes. Total coverage in each deposit category, including principal and interest, is up to $100,000.

Explore the complete list of FAQs.


[1] Gender differences in the financial knowledge of Canadians.

[1] Bucher-Koenen, T., R.J. Alessie, A. Lusardi, and M. Van Rooij (2021). “Fearless woman: Financial literacy and stock market participation” (No. w28723). National Bureau of Economic Research.

[1] Palmeta, B., C. Nguyen, T. Shek-wai Hui, and D. Gyarmati (2016). The link between financial confidence and financial outcomes among working-aged Canadians. Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.

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