Holding funds

• December 19, 2025

  Case scenarios about marketplaces

  These fictional case scenarios illustrate the Bank of Canada’s approach to online marketplaces, and show examples of payment functions that are, and are not, incidental to a marketplace. These include the provision and maintenance of an account; the holding of funds on behalf of an end user; the initiation of an electronic funds transfer (EFT); authorization of an EFT and the transmission, facilitation or reception of an instruction in relation to an EFT; and the provision of clearing or settlement services.

  Content Type(s): Retail payments materials, Case scenarios Subject(s): Retail payments, Holding funds, Registration
• December 19, 2025

  Supervisory policy for online marketplaces

  This supervisory policy sets out the Bank’s approach to online marketplaces and explains when their activities fall within the scope of the Retail Payment Activities Act.

  Content Type(s): Retail payments materials, Supervisory policies Subject(s): Retail payments, Holding funds, Registration
• October 2, 2024

  Case scenarios about holding funds

  These fictional case scenarios provide examples to help providers identify whether they perform the payment function of holding funds.

  Content Type(s): Retail payments materials, Case scenarios Subject(s): Retail payments, Holding funds, Registration
• October 2, 2024

  Case scenarios about card program managers

  These fictional case scenarios provide examples of incidental activities under the Retail Payment Activities Act, especially in the context of card program managers.

  Content Type(s): Retail payments materials, Case scenarios Subject(s): Retail payments, Holding funds, Registration
• October 2, 2024

  Case scenarios about acquirers

  These fictional case scenarios provide more details about the performance of payment functions under the Retail Payment Activities Act by providers of acquiring services, including in respect of the holding funds payment function.

  Content Type(s): Retail payments materials, Case scenarios Subject(s): Retail payments, Holding funds, Registration
• August 21, 2024

  Case scenarios about remittance service providers

  These fictional case scenarios provide examples to help providers identify whether they perform the holding funds payment function, especially in the context of cross-border remittances.

  Content Type(s): Retail payments materials, Case scenarios Subject(s): Retail payments, Holding funds, Registration
• August 21, 2024

  Case scenarios about payroll services

  These fictional case scenarios provide examples of incidental activities under the Retail Payment Activities Act.

  Content Type(s): Retail payments materials, Case scenarios Subject(s): Retail payments, Holding funds, Registration