Laurentian Bank of Canada — Who It Serves
Laurentian Bank is one of Canada's oldest banks, founded in 1846 in Montreal under the name Montreal City and District Savings Bank. For over 150 years it served Quebec's French-speaking middle class with straightforward deposit banking.
Laurentian Bank is primarily a Quebec institution — approximately 80% of its retail deposits and branches are located in Quebec, with the remainder in Ontario. In recent years, Laurentian has strategically pivoted toward business-to-business banking (B2B Bank) and broker-originated mortgages, reducing its retail footprint.
In the 2020s, Laurentian Bank underwent a significant strategic transformation — reducing its traditional retail branch network and pivoting toward a B2B2C model through its B2B Bank division, which distributes mortgages and investment products through independent brokers and advisors. Institution number 039 still applies to all Laurentian accounts, whether at a traditional branch or through B2B Bank digital channels.
Notable: In 2023, Laurentian Bank became the first major Canadian bank since the 1990s to undergo a significant retail branch reduction, closing dozens of Quebec locations as part of its B2B pivot strategy.
Transit Numbers by Location
Laurentian Bank operates approximately 60 branches, mostly in Quebec. B2B Bank (its wholesale arm) handles broker-distributed products across Canada. If you have a B2B Bank account, institution 039 still applies.
| City / Branch Area |
Transit # (5-digit) |
Institution # |
EFT Format |
MICR Cheque Format |
| Montreal — Rene-Levesque BlvdQC |
00002 |
039 |
03900002 |
000002039 |
| Montreal — Cremazie BlvdQC |
01052 |
039 |
03901052 |
001052039 |
| Laval — ChomedeyQC |
04152 |
039 |
03904152 |
004152039 |
| Quebec City — Sainte-FoyQC |
06302 |
039 |
03906302 |
006302039 |
| Sherbrooke — King St WQC |
08452 |
039 |
03908452 |
008452039 |
| Ottawa — Bank StON |
10002 |
039 |
03910002 |
010002039 |
| Toronto — Bay St (B2B Bank)ON |
20002 |
039 |
03920002 |
020002039 |
FAQ — Laurentian Bank
What is Laurentian Bank's institution number?
Laurentian Bank's institution number is 039. This applies to all Laurentian retail branches and B2B Bank accounts. For direct deposit, pair 039 with your branch's 5-digit transit number.
What is B2B Bank and how does it relate to Laurentian?
B2B Bank is a wholesale banking division of Laurentian Bank of Canada that distributes banking products (mortgages, investment loans, GICs) through financial advisors and mortgage brokers rather than directly to consumers. B2B Bank accounts use institution 039 just like regular Laurentian retail accounts.
How do I find my Laurentian Bank transit number?
Log into Laurentian Bank's online banking (Accès Laurentienne / Laurentian Access), navigate to your account details, and look for 'Direct Deposit Information.' You can also request a void cheque image from any branch. The MICR line on your cheque shows 0[transit]039.
What is Laurentian Bank's SWIFT code?
Laurentian Bank's SWIFT code is BLAACAMM. This is used for receiving international wire transfers. Pair it with your account number and Laurentian branch address for the sender to complete the wire.
Is Laurentian Bank safe given its recent restructuring?
Yes — Laurentian Bank remains a federally chartered Schedule I bank regulated by OSFI (Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions) and deposits are protected by CDIC up to $100,000 per depositor category. Its strategic pivot to B2B banking is a business model change, not a financial distress situation.