Canada · Credit card

How to activate your CIBC Credit Card

Activate your CIBC credit card online, in the app or by phone — what you need, step-by-step instructions and fixes if activation fails.

By the CreditCardCompare editorial team · Updated · Checked against cibc.com

Quick answer: Activate your CIBC Credit Card online at cibc.com or in the CIBC Mobile Banking app. Have ready: CIBC Online Banking login, or your new credit card to register. Use only cibc.com or the official app, never a link sent by text or email.

Official activation cibc.com Methods: Online · Mobile app Phone: use the number on the sticker on your new card
Go to official activation
Only activate on cibc.com or the official app. Type the address yourself. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will never text or call asking for your full PIN or a one-time code.
A woman sitting at a table looking at her cell phone — activating a new CIBC Credit Card
Photo: Vitaly Gariev / Unsplash

What you need

  • CIBC Online Banking login, or your new credit card to register

Activate your CIBC Credit Card online

  1. Go to CIBC's Activate My Credit Card page
  2. Sign on to CIBC Online Banking, or register using your new credit card
  3. Follow the prompts to activate the new or replacement card
  4. Confirm

Activate in the CIBC Mobile Banking app

  1. Open the CIBC Mobile Banking app and sign on
  2. Open the More menu
  3. Select Activate Card
  4. Follow the prompts

Activate by phone

Call the activation number printed on the sticker on the front of your new card (or the customer-service number on the back) and follow the automated prompts. You will usually be asked for the card number and a piece of identity information such as the last four digits of your SIN or date of birth.

After you activate

  • Add the card to your mobile wallet
  • Set up alerts
  • Update pre-authorized payments if this is a replacement

If your Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce card won't activate

  • No app: use the online activation link in a browser
  • Prefer in person: visit a CIBC Banking Centre

CIBC Credit Card activation FAQs

How do I activate my CIBC Credit Card?

You can activate it online at cibc.com, in the CIBC Mobile Banking app. Online or in-app activation is usually fastest: sign in, choose the new card, and confirm the details requested.

Is there a phone number to activate a Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce card?

Use the activation number printed on the sticker on the front of your new card, or the number on the back of the card. Only call numbers shown on the card itself or on cibc.com — scammers publish look-alike numbers.

Can I use my Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce card before activating it?

Generally no. A new card is blocked until it is activated, although some issuers activate a replacement automatically the first time you use it with your PIN, and some let you use a virtual card number in the app straight away.

Does activating a CIBC Credit Card affect my credit score?

No. Activation is not a credit check. Any hard inquiry happened when you applied; activating simply switches the card on. Not activating a new account does not close it, so it can still appear on your credit report.

Why won't my Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce card activate?

No app: use the online activation link in a browser Prefer in person: visit a CIBC Banking Centre

Is it safe to activate my card online?

Yes, provided you are on the issuer's real website (cibc.com) or official app. Type the address yourself rather than following links in texts or emails. Your bank will never ask for your full PIN or a one-time passcode by phone or text.

Sources: www.cibc.com. Steps change; if your screen looks different, follow the official instructions.