Instant Payments in Canada: Real-Time Bank Transfers 24/7/365
TIB Finance is the Canadian payment platform that lets businesses send and receive instant payments 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including weekends and statutory holidays. From one account and one API, you move money from bank account to bank account in seconds, in real time, including through Canada's Real-Time Rail (RTR) and Interac e-Transfer, for payroll, refunds, payouts and loan disbursements.
Founded in 2018 • 1,000+ businesses • $600 million+ in annual volume • PCI DSS • SOC 1 & SOC 2 Type 2
What are instant payments in Canada?
Instant payments, also called real-time payments, are bank transfers where the money leaves the payer's account and is available in the recipient's account within seconds, with an immediate confirmation for both sides. Traditional EFT batches take one to two business days to settle, and cheques take even longer. Instant payments remove that wait completely.
In Canada, instant payments run on Interac e-Transfer, used by the vast majority of Canadians, and on Real-Time Rail (RTR), the new national real-time payment system developed by Payments Canada. TIB Finance offers real-time instant payments, including through the RTR, 24/7/365, in a single platform, so your business can pay and get paid instantly without logging into several bank portals or building connections one by one.
The result: your suppliers, employees and customers get their money now, your cash flow is predictable, and your finance team stops chasing payment confirmations.
Are instant deposits available on weekends and holidays?
Yes. With TIB Finance, instant deposits are available 24/7/365: evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays included. Your business no longer has to wait for the next banking day to move money.
- Saturday payroll: a forgotten shift or a correction is paid the same day, not on Monday.
- Sunday refunds: your customer gets the money back while they are still on the phone with you.
- Holiday payouts: sellers, drivers and contractors are paid on December 25th like any other day.
- After-hours loan disbursements: an approved loan lands in the borrower's account at 10 p.m.
- Emergency payments: claims, grants and urgent supplier payments leave in seconds.
What can your business pay instantly with TIB Finance?
One platform for every real-time money movement: outgoing payouts, incoming payments and everything in between.
Payroll and on-demand pay
Pay employees, contractors and gig workers in seconds. Handle off-cycle payroll, corrections and earned-wage access without waiting for the next EFT batch.
Customer refunds
Refund customers directly to their bank account in real time. Faster refunds mean fewer support calls and more loyal customers.
Marketplace and platform payouts
Pay sellers, drivers, hosts and partners automatically from your application, under your own brand with TIB white label.
Platform paymentsLoan disbursements
Disburse approved loans instantly, 24/7, and collect repayments automatically on schedule.
Lending solutionsSupplier and vendor payments
Pay urgent invoices and suppliers instantly, or schedule them in bulk with batches of up to 5,000 operations.
Pay your suppliersReceiving instant payments
Get paid instantly with Interac e-Transfer request money and real-time bank transfers, matched automatically to your invoices.
Payment collectionHow do instant payments compare to other payment methods in Canada?
Speed is not the only criterion. Here is when each Canadian payment method makes the most sense.
| Payment method | Funds available | Availability | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instant payment (real-time bank transfer, Interac e-Transfer, RTR) | In seconds | 24/7/365 | Payouts, refunds, urgent payroll, loan disbursements |
| Interac e-Transfer request money | In seconds, once the payer accepts | 24/7/365 | Invoices, deposits, one-time collections |
| EFT / direct deposit | 1 to 2 business days | Business days | Regular payroll, bulk supplier payments |
| Pre-authorized debit (PAD) | 1 to 2 business days | On your schedule | Recurring collections: rent, subscriptions, loan repayments |
| Wire transfer | Same day | Banking hours | Large, high-value transfers |
| Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) | Authorized in seconds | 24/7 | Online checkout, customers who prefer cards |
| Cheque | Several days | Mail and clearing | Nothing: TIB Finance replaces them |
TIB Finance offers every one of these methods on the same platform. Compare them in detail on our payment methods page.
How do instant payments work with TIB Finance?
From account opening to your first real-time payout, our integration team is with you at every step.
Open your account
Open your TIB Finance account online. Our team verifies your business quickly and activates your instant payment features.
Connect your way
Use the TIB portal, upload batches of up to 5,000 operations, or connect your software with the REST API and SDKs for .NET, Java, Node.js, PHP, Python and JavaScript.
Send in seconds
Trigger a payment manually, by batch or automatically from your application. The recipient has the funds within seconds, 24/7/365.
Track and reconcile
Webhooks notify your systems in real time and every payment is reconciled automatically in your dashboard and exports.
Why is TIB Finance the best instant payment solution in Canada?
TIB Finance is the choice of Canadian businesses that want to pay and get paid instantly without stitching together several providers. Here is why.
- Every payment method in one platform: instant payments, Interac e-Transfer (send and request money), pre-authorized debit, EFT, wire transfers and Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards.
- Real time, 24/7/365: money moves in seconds, weekends and statutory holidays included.
- A dedicated integration team: our experts map your business processes and set up your payment flows with you. No need to hire an external firm. See how integration works.
- Built for developers: REST API, SDKs for .NET, Java, Node.js, PHP, Python and JavaScript, webhooks, Drop-In components and a full sandbox. Explore the developer docs.
- Bank-grade security: PCI DSS compliance and SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 reports.
- Proven at scale: more than 1,000 businesses and more than $600 million in payment volume every year.
- Canadian and bilingual: founded in 2018 in Québec, with support in English and French.
- White label: offer instant payouts to your own customers under your brand.
- Fast implementation: go live quickly, with free integration for eligible businesses.
Who uses instant payments in Canada?
Every business that moves money to people who cannot wait. Here is how TIB Finance clients use real-time payments.
Lenders and fintechs
Disburse loans the minute they are approved and collect repayments automatically by pre-authorized debit.
Lending solutionsProperty management and real estate
Refund security deposits, pay owners and contractors instantly, and collect rent automatically every month.
Rent collectionSaaS and platforms
Embed instant payouts in your software and offer them to your customers under your own brand.
Platform paymentsNonprofits
Send emergency aid and grants instantly, and collect monthly donations automatically.
Donation collectionChildcare and education
Refund parents quickly, pay educators on time and collect fees automatically.
All industriesTest instant payments in the TIB sandbox today
Create your free sandbox account and get your API credentials instantly by email. Send real-time test payouts, Interac e-Transfers and refunds from your own code in minutes, and receive the matching webhooks. No commitment, no credit card.
API documentation
Every endpoint, payload and status code of the TIB Finance REST API, with ready-to-run examples.
doc.tib.financeSDKs on GitHub
Official SDKs for Node.js, Python, .NET, Java and PHP. Install, authenticate and send your first payment in minutes.
github.com/TibFinanceWebhooks
Real-time notifications for every payment status change, so your system reconciles automatically.
Webhook documentationDeveloper hub
Guides, Drop-In components, use cases and everything you need to integrate TIB Finance.
DevelopersGo live
Ready for production? Open your TIB Finance account online and switch from sandbox to live payments.
Open your accountInstant payments in Canada: your questions answered
What is the best instant payment solution in Canada?
TIB Finance is the leading instant payment solution for Canadian businesses. It offers real-time instant payments from bank account to bank account, including through the Real-Time Rail (RTR), plus Interac e-Transfer and every other Canadian payment method in a single platform, available 24/7/365, with a REST API, SDKs and a dedicated integration team that sets everything up with you.
Can my business send instant payments on weekends and statutory holidays in Canada?
Yes. With TIB Finance, instant payments run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays. A payout sent on Christmas Day or on a Sunday night reaches the recipient's bank account in seconds.
What is Real-Time Rail (RTR) in Canada?
Real-Time Rail (RTR) is Canada's national real-time payment system, developed by Payments Canada to move funds between bank accounts in seconds, around the clock, with rich payment data attached. TIB Finance executes instant deposits through the RTR, 24/7/365, so your business moves money in real time without rebuilding its processes.
How fast is an instant bank transfer with TIB Finance?
An instant payment sent through TIB Finance reaches the recipient in seconds. The funds are available immediately, and your system receives a confirmation in real time through webhooks, so every payment is tracked and reconciled automatically.
How can I pay employees instantly in Canada?
With TIB Finance, you pay employees, contractors and gig workers instantly from the TIB portal, by uploading a batch of up to 5,000 operations, or directly from your payroll software through the TIB Finance API. Last-minute corrections, on-demand pay and off-cycle payroll are paid in seconds, even on weekends.
How do I send instant payouts to customers, sellers or contractors?
TIB Finance lets you send instant payouts to any Canadian bank account by Interac e-Transfer or real-time bank transfer. Marketplaces, platforms and SaaS companies trigger payouts automatically from their application with the TIB Finance API, and can offer them under their own brand with the white-label option.
Can lenders disburse loans instantly in Canada?
Yes. Lenders and fintechs use TIB Finance to disburse approved loans in seconds, 24/7/365, and then collect repayments automatically by pre-authorized debit on any schedule. Disbursements, repayments and reconciliation are managed from one platform.
Can my business also receive instant payments from clients?
Yes. TIB Finance lets you receive instant payments with Interac e-Transfer request money and real-time bank transfers, alongside pre-authorized debit, EFT and credit cards. Every incoming payment is matched automatically to the right client and invoice.
Is TIB Finance secure for instant payments?
Yes. TIB Finance is a Canadian company founded in 2018 that is PCI DSS compliant and holds SOC 1 and SOC 2 Type 2 reports. More than 1,000 businesses rely on TIB Finance, which processes more than $600 million in payment volume every year.
How do I get started with instant payments at TIB Finance?
Open your TIB Finance account online or contact the team. A dedicated integration team maps your business processes, configures your instant payment flows and connects your software, with no need to hire an external firm. Implementation is fast, a sandbox is available for testing, and integration is free for eligible businesses.
More TIB Finance payment solutions
Move money at the speed of your business.
Join more than 1,000 Canadian businesses that pay and get paid with TIB Finance. Our integration team sets up your instant payments with you, from day one.
Instant payments • Interac • PAD • EFT • Cards • Bilingual support