Yes. In fact, we strongly recommended that you open a new bank account with a new bank before going
bankrupt in Ontario. Why? Because you want all payments to your unsecured creditors to stop. You do not want to risk having one of your creditors attempt to take an un-authorized payment out of your account, and the best way to do that is to open a new bank account at a new bank (where you don’t owe any money).
A bank is not allowed to refuse to open a bank account for you (unless they believe the account will be used for illegal purposes).
More information can be found on the Department of Justice Canada’s web site.
Even with these rules, some banks may be reluctant to permit you to open a new bank account once you are bankrupt. Therefore, it is a good idea to open a new bank account before you go bankrupt in Ontario, which also gives you lots of time to have your payroll deposit and other items transferred to your new account before the bankruptcy starts.
Your trustee will be able to answer any further questions you may have about opening a new bank account.
