The Bank of Nova Scotia

BNS: Is The Bank of Nova Scotia Halal?

The Bank of Nova Scotia

NYSEFinancial ServicesCA

$86.16

-0.35%

Market Cap: 105.6B

Compliance Status

Not Halal

Screened on Jul 18, 2026 · AAOIFI Standard 21

F

Non-Compliant

0Score

Is The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) halal? Not Halal. Based on AAOIFI screening, The Bank of Nova Scotia has involvement in prohibited business activities with a compliance score of 0/100 (Grade: F).

Business activity

Involved in prohibited business activities.

Failed

Company debt

Over the limit

How much the company borrows, compared to its total value. AAOIFI allows up to 30%.

469.3% of 30.0% limit

What this means for you

Most scholars advise not holding BNS

It does not pass AAOIFI Shariah screening.

See halal alternatives from the same sector further down this page

About The Bank of Nova Scotia

The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets segments. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and retail automotive financing solutions. It also provides business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small, medium, and large businesses. In addition, it provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternatives, and institutional funds. The company was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Sector: Financial Services · Industry: Banks - Diversified

Shariah Compliance Status

AAOIFI Standard 21Updated Jul 18, 2026

Business Activity Screen

Failed

Checks if the business is involved in prohibited activities (alcohol, gambling, pork, conventional banking, etc.)

  • Prohibited industry: Banks - Diversified

Compliance History

Not Halal, unchanged since May 2026.

No status changes recorded since we began tracking.

Tracked since May 2026. Updates automatically on each re-screen.

Fiscal: FY 2025Data source: FMP

Halal Alternatives in Financial Services

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) halal to invest in?
The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) is rated Not Halal under AAOIFI Standard 21 screening. It fails either the business activity screen (primary involvement in prohibited sectors such as conventional banking, alcohol, or gambling) or one of the quantitative financial ratio thresholds. Muslim investors should avoid or exit this position.
Why did The Bank of Nova Scotia get a F compliance rating?
The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) received a grade of F (Non-Compliant) based on three AAOIFI Standard 21 financial ratios: debt-to-market-cap of 469.3% (limit 30%); interest-bearing deposits of 100.7% (limit 30%); prohibited income of 78.72% (limit 5%). The grade reflects the margin of safety across all three ratios relative to their thresholds.
What could change The Bank of Nova Scotia's Shariah verdict?
The Bank of Nova Scotia's verdict is re-evaluated at each annual re-screen. Three events could change it: (1) the debt-to-market-cap ratio crossing 30%, typically from new debt issuance or a major drop in share price; (2) interest-bearing deposits exceeding 30% of market cap; or (3) prohibited revenue (alcohol, gambling, conventional finance, etc.) exceeding 5% of total revenue. Verdict flips are tracked in the compliance history section above.
How often is The Bank of Nova Scotia re-screened for Shariah compliance?
The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) is re-screened annually using the most recent full-year financial data from SEC filings. HalalScreener also triggers an on-demand re-screen whenever the stored data is more than 7 days old, ensuring the ratios reflect the latest available financial statements. Last screened: Jul 18, 2026.

Screened according to AAOIFI Standard No. 21 · For informational purposes only. Consult a qualified Islamic finance advisor before investing.

Disclaimer: This screening is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or religious advice. Compliance is evaluated using AAOIFI financial standards (debt, deposits, and prohibited income ratios) and publicly available data. Ethical, political, social, or environmental considerations are outside the scope of this screening. Individual scholars and methodologies may differ. Always consult a qualified Islamic finance advisor before making investment decisions.