Curious how a clear set of authorizations can speed up business operations and mortgage prep in Canada?
This short guide shows how they can meet onboarding requirements, set a minimum approval account at sign‑up, and use online banking to match governance with daily tasks.
It explains who needs to sign off, why a minimum account is set during onboarding, and how one or two approval levels often cover most needs.
Readers will learn practical steps to reduce delays, assign internal roles, prepare documents for financing, and contact advisors with the right details when they need help.
Understanding National Bank approval in Canada today
Defined sign-off levels stop confusion and speed routine operations across finance and admin teams.
Businesses often split authorizations into two areas: administrative tasks and financial transactions. Administrative controls cover account groups, job roles and permissions. Financial controls manage payments, such as file uploads and EFTs.
An approval level is a threshold linked to user responsibility. Levels A to E map who can sign what. A user at a lower level cannot approve actions reserved for a higher level. This preserves separation of duties and limits unilateral changes.
The structure lowers risk in everyday banking and gives auditors clear trails for compliance. It also sets predictable timelines so teams can plan larger transfers or role changes without surprises.
Mortgage pre‑approval offers a lender commitment that helps buyers set a budget and can protect a rate for up to 120 days. If they have questions, the business help centre is the first stop; staff should be ready to share role and process details to get faster guidance.
National Bank approval: step-by-step for businesses
A practical checklist lets companies map roles, set limits and control who can move funds or edit accounts.
Start by confirming the MAC set at sign‑up for online banking business access. Most small teams choose a single level, while larger firms add a second level for segregation of duties.
Map job roles to the five levels (A–E) so each user has the right authority. Assign which accounts and account groups each role can access to match visibility with responsibility.
Review administrative operations that need sign‑off: create, copy, edit or delete account groups and job roles, change permissions, and enable or disable self‑approved users.
For financial operations, define who can submit payments via the file option and who can execute EFTs. Set thresholds and dual control for higher‑risk transfers.
To edit an approval rule, pick desired levels, choose from 20 policy combinations, assign the policy to each category, then approve those assignments. Use the approval log to track pending items; users only see actions they can approve, and confirmed actions drop from the log.
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Mortgage pre‑approval with National Bank: from online start to a stronger offer
An online pre‑approval gives buyers a clear borrowing range and a temporary rate hold while they shop for a home.
They begin the process online, enter basic finances, and quickly see an estimate that matches their needs and price range.
An advisor then contacts them to confirm details and explain likely monthly payment figures and how prepayment choices change costs.
With pre‑approval in hand, applicants get a 120‑day interest rate hold that shields them from short‑term rises and helps plan a down payment.
Eligibility checks include being of the age of majority in their province, buying property in Canada (excluding territories), and owning one property or less to apply online.
If they have questions or need documents, they can consult the help centre or make appointment with an advisor to review next steps.
Applicants may send email updates to their real estate agent with the pre‑approval letter, then move to final approval after an accepted offer by supplying property details and updated income paperwork.
Access, support, and next steps: sign in, make an appointment, or send an email
Using the left menu to reach the Approval log makes it simple to approve, reject or review items. To manage pending approvals, sign online banking for business and go to Administration, then open Manage access and select the Approval log tab.
Inside the Approval log they choose the item, use the on‑screen menu options to Approve or Reject, and watch actions disappear once all required sign‑offs complete. They should sign online to keep an auditable trail for banking business.
Teams must review who has access regularly so former users do not keep privileges. For complex policy combinations or other questions, consult the business help centre resources or escalate to an expert.
Support options: call 1‑844‑394‑4494 Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) to make appointment or get immediate guidance. If they prefer written requests, send email with case details and screenshots of the Approval log to speed triage; include company ID, affected accounts and item references.
Keep a simple internal checklist so each request moves from submission to review to final sign‑off. This practice reduces delays and makes future audits easier.
Move forward with confidence on your National Bank approval
Small changes to sign‑off rules can cut delays and keep payments moving on schedule.
Verify each approval level matches job roles so no user has excess access. Apply dual approvals for high‑risk payments and use the file option only within set thresholds.
Keep a concise register of users and accounts so audits and staffing changes do not disrupt operations. Standardize cut‑off times and escalation steps for multi‑team payment flows.
When unsure about a new rule, consult the help centre before rollout. If backlogs appear, sign online banking, use the left menu to open the approval log, and triage by due date and risk.
Assign owners to monitor payments and maintain a short checklist for file and account approvals. Schedule quarterly reviews with an advisor to keep business processes current.
