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BMO Bank of Montreal Review

Aug 15, 2025
The Bank of Montreal (BMO) is one of the largest financial institutions in North America, with products for everyday consumers and businesses alike.
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Written by Shannon Terrell
Lead Writer & Spokesperson
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Edited by Beth Buczynski
Head of Content, New Markets
Profile photo of Shannon Terrell
Written by Shannon Terrell
Lead Writer & Spokesperson
+ 1 more
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

BMO Bank overview

🏦 Bank of Montreal was founded in 1817 and is the eighth-largest bank in North America.

BMO ACCOUNT OPTIONS

  • Savings

  • Chequing

  • Visa and Mastercard credit cards

  • Investing

OTHER BMO SERVICES

  • Mortgages

  • Loans and lines of credit

  • Financial planning

  • Insurance

  • Business accounts and financing

Bank of Montreal full review

Sign, Symbol, Logo

Bank of Montreal, or BMO, began as the Montreal Bank in 1817. BMO is now one of Canada’s Big Six banks and the eighth

largest bank in North America with over 13 million global customers. BMO’s more than 200 years in business shows: this financial institution offers a sizable sweep of products and services, including several types of bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages, loans, lines of credit, investment platforms and more.

Its bank branches and ATMs can be found in every province and territory in the country, with the exception of Nunavut. It’s well-equipped for digital banking, too, with a robust online banking portal and well-reviewed mobile app. Overall, BMO has the resources to provide a one-stop shop for customers who seek to organize all of their finances under one roof.

For those who prefer to manage their finances digitally, BMO’s online banking portal and mobile app are capable of performing a wealth of financial services and transactions. From a computer, tablet or mobile device, customers can send and receive money, pay bills, deposit cheques, manage accounts, schedule payments and more.

BMO customers are protected from losses incurred via unauthorized transactions, bank failure, fraud, and physical and cyber security threats.

Like many major Canadian financial institutions, the Bank of Montreal carries Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) insurance, which insures up to $100,000 of eligible deposits in the event that BMO goes bankrupt.

BMO’s 100% Security Guarantee pledges to reimburse BMO customers for any losses incurred via unauthorized account transactions. However, you may be liable for account losses if you fail to comply with your BMO account service agreement, so read the fine print carefully before you sign up.

BMO’s Financial Crimes Unit further protects its customers with physical and cyber security technology designed to monitor and manage security threats around the clock. Free security software is also available for interested customers.

NerdWallet Bank reviews

Compare the pros, cons and perks of Canadian financial institutions.

🚩 Customer ratings


We gather consumer feedback to understand how users feel about banking with BMO. While the bank performs well on mobile app stores, its score remains below average on the consumer review platforms and forums.

As of this writing, BMO had the following ratings:

  • 4.6 stars on the Apple App Store and 4.6 stars on the Google Play Store.

  • 1.4 out of 5 possible stars, based on more than 1,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot.

  • 1.12 out of 5 possible stars, based on over 160 customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau’s website.

What Reddit users are saying

There’s less BMO-specific chatter on Reddit, as many threads lump the Big Banks together. In recent posts, some Reddit users say BMO’s AI support often fails to answer their questions and is hard to bypass when they want a human.

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Note: Consumer review platforms tend to reflect a higher volume of negative feedback as satisfied users are less likely to leave comments. Additionally, individual reviews may not reflect the full experience of these users. That said, public forums can offer a helpful starting point for understanding how the financial institution handles account issues, customer service and overall support.

Bank of Montreal account types

As one of Canada’s biggest banks, BMO offers a wide selection of accounts for you to choose from. NerdWallet's picks for best banking products include:

Monthly fee
$17.95
TransactionsUnlimited
APPLY NOW
on BMO's website

BMO Savings Amplifier Account
BMO Savings Amplifier Account
4.2
NerdWallet rating
Interest rate
Up to 4.70%*
Monthly fee$0

BMO savings accounts

🤓 OUR TAKE

BMO savings accounts earn average interest rates usually from 0.01% to 0.95% across various balance tiers. The BMO Savings Amplifier Account often holds its spot among our top picks for limited-time promotional interest. If you're seeking a savings account with steadier long-term growth, shop around for online higher-yield online options.

None of BMO’s personal savings accounts charge monthly fees.

  • Premium Rate Savings Account: A straightforward, low-interest savings account designed to be bundled with a BMO chequing account. 

  • Savings Builder Account: A high-interest savings account that offers bonus interest when you meet certain goals, with one free transfer between BMO accounts each month, and access to a bonus interest rate when you save at least $200 per month.

  • Savings Amplifier Account: A high-interest savings account with unlimited no-fee transfers between BMO accounts and no minimum balance requirements.

  • U.S. Dollar Premium Rate Savings Account: A USD savings account designed to be bundled with a BMO chequing account.

BMO chequing accounts

🤓 OUR TAKE

BMO offers generous bonuses and perks on chequing accounts tailored for kids, students, seniors, newcomers to Canada and more. Some accounts waive monthly fees when you maintain a minimum balance around $5,000. The Family Bundle's no-fee daily banking makes it easy to house all your finances under one roof.

  • Practical: 12 transactions per month for a $4 monthly fee. 

  • Plus: 25 transactions per month for an $11.95 monthly fee, waived if you maintain a $3,000 minimum balance.

  • Performance: Unlimited transactions and family account bundling options for a $17.95 monthly fee, waived with a $4,000 minimum balance.

  • Air Miles: Unlimited transactions plus the ability to earn Air Miles for $17.95 monthly fee. 

  • Premium: Unlimited transactions, worldwide ATM withdrawals and more for a $30.95 monthly fee, waived with a $6,000 minimum balance.

BMO credit cards

🤓 OUR TAKE

BMO credit cards include both Mastercard and Visa, featuring reward points, cash back, travel perks and low-rate options. Purchase APRs typically range from 13.99% to 23.99%, depending on the card you choose.

BMO credit cards include a wide variety of Mastercard and Visa credit cards, such as:

  • BMO Preferred Rate Mastercard.

  • BMO CashBack World Elite Mastercard.

  • BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card.

  • BMO Rewards Mastercard.

  • BMO AIR MILES Mastercard.

BMO investing accounts

🤓 OUR TAKE

You can manage BMO's registered or non-registered investments on your own using its online platform, or opt for a robo-advisor or an advisor-led solution at a fee. The variety of beginner-friendly options may provide a starting point for some. If you’re just getting started, this lineup provides a few beginner-friendly options to choose from.

Other BMO services

🤓 OUR TAKE

BMO is not only a full-service bank, but it also has a strong branch and ATM network globally. Plus, its online banking and mobile app support everything from banking to investing and wealth, making BMO a favourable choice for a one-stop financial hub.

Bank of Montreal fees

Banking fees can vary based on the accounts you have and how you use them. Here are some of the common fees you may encounter using Bank of Montreal’s financial products and services:

How BMO compares to other big banks

ATMS AND BRANCHES

ARE DEPOSITS INSURED?

RBC

ATMs: 4,000+ Branches: 1,100+

Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.

National Bank of Canada

ATMs: 2,000+ Branches: 360+

Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.

TD Bank

ATMs: 2,500+ Branches: 1,000+

Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.

BMO

ATMs: 3,200+ Branches: 800+

Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.

CIBC

ATMs: 2,900+ Branches: 1,000+

Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Scotiabank

ATMs: 3,500+ Branches: 900+

Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.

» MORE: Check out our Banking reviews of other Big Banks, credit unions and online-only banks.

Frequently asked questions


Yes. Bank of Montreal was Canada’s first bank and its operational head office is located in Toronto, Ontario.

You can speak to a member of the bank’s customer care team in a few ways:

  • Call BMO at: 1-877-225-5266.

  • Visit a bank branch during business hours to speak to a BMO representative in person.