Last updated: July 2, 2025
At Dollarwise, transparency is at the core of everything we do. This disclosure explains how we make money, how we maintain our editorial independence, and what this means for you as a user.
How We Make Money
Dollarwise operates as a free service for consumers by earning compensation through affiliate partnerships with financial institutions. Here's how it works:
Affiliate Commissions
When you click on a link to apply for a financial product (like a credit card or bank account) and are approved, we may receive a commission from that financial institution. This commission comes at no cost to you.
- Credit Cards: We earn commissions when you're approved for credit cards through our platform
- Bank Accounts: Some banks pay us when you open accounts through our links
- Mortgages: We may receive compensation for mortgage applications submitted through our calculators and tools
- Other Financial Products: Similar arrangements may exist for insurance, loans, and investment products
What This Means for You
✅ Always Free for You
Our service is completely free to use. You never pay us anything, and our compensation doesn't affect the rates or terms you receive from financial institutions.
✅ No Hidden Costs
The rates, fees, and terms you see on our site are the same as what you'd get by going directly to the financial institution.
Editorial Independence
Our affiliate relationships do not influence our editorial content, recommendations, or rankings. Here's how we maintain independence:
- Objective Methodology: Our rankings are based on transparent criteria including rates, fees, features, and customer service
- All Products Included: We include products regardless of whether we have affiliate relationships with the provider
- Honest Reviews: Our reviews highlight both pros and cons of each product, even if we earn more from certain providers
- Regular Updates: We continuously update our data to ensure accuracy, regardless of compensation levels
- Clear Disclosure: We clearly mark affiliate links and sponsored content when applicable
Our Ranking Methodology
Products are ranked based on objective factors that benefit consumers:
Credit Cards
- Annual fees and other costs
- Rewards earn rates and redemption value
- Welcome bonuses and promotional offers
- Interest rates and payment terms
- Insurance coverage and benefits
- Acceptance and usability
Bank Accounts
- Monthly fees and fee waivers
- Interest rates on savings
- ATM access and fees
- Digital banking features
- Customer service quality
- Account minimums and requirements
Types of Compensation
We may receive different types of compensation from financial partners:
| Compensation Type | Description | Impact on You |
|---|---|---|
| Per-Application | Fixed fee for each application submitted | None - you get standard rates |
| Per-Approval | Commission when you're approved for a product | None - approval is based on your creditworthiness |
| Revenue Share | Ongoing percentage of revenue you generate | None - your rates and terms remain unchanged |
Products We Don't Have Relationships With
We include many financial products in our comparisons even when we don't earn any compensation. This includes:
- Credit unions and smaller financial institutions
- Some premium or niche financial products
- Government-backed programs and services
- New products where relationships haven't been established yet
Including these products ensures you get complete, unbiased comparisons.
How We Use This Information
The compensation we receive helps us:
- Keep our service free: You never have to pay to access our comparisons and tools
- Maintain our website: Technical infrastructure, security, and performance
- Update our data: Regular monitoring of rates, terms, and new products
- Create helpful content: Educational articles, calculators, and comparison tools
- Provide customer support: Help you understand financial products and make informed decisions
Your Rights and Choices
You Always Have Options
- Apply Directly: You can always go directly to financial institutions without using our links
- Compare Elsewhere: We encourage you to verify information and compare with other sources
- Ask Questions: Contact us if you need clarification about any product or our recommendations
- Read the Fine Print: Always review terms and conditions before applying for any financial product
Regulatory Compliance
Our advertising practices comply with:
- Competition Bureau Canada: Guidelines for digital advertising and endorsements
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC): Requirements for financial product marketing
- Provincial Securities Regulators: Where applicable to investment-related content
- Privacy Legislation: PIPEDA and provincial privacy laws regarding data collection
Questions About Our Compensation?
We believe in complete transparency. If you have questions about:
- Whether we have a relationship with a specific financial institution
- How our rankings are determined
- Our editorial policies and procedures
- Specific compensation arrangements
Please contact us at team@dollarwise.ca or through our contact page.
Our Commitment to You
While we earn money through affiliate relationships, our commitment is always to provide accurate, unbiased information that helps you make the best financial decisions for your situation. Your trust is more valuable to us than any commission, and we work every day to earn and maintain it.