BMO Review: Account Good for You?
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BMO offers low fees and a large ATM network. But savings rates are low. However, the strong features can still make it a good bank for you. Read on.
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BMO Smart Advantage Checking Account and BMO Smart Money Checking Account - Earn $300 Cash Bonus* | |||
Overall Score | 3.5 | ||
Savings | 2.0 | ||
CD | 4.0 | ||
Checking | 4.0 | ||
Money Market | 3.0 | ||
Mobile App | 4.5 | ||
Customer Service | 3.5 | ||
Pros and Cons
- Free checking with eStatements
- Large ATM network
- Good financial tools
- Limited branches
- Low savings APY
Bottom Line
Midwest bank with options for low and high-balance customers
BMO Overview
BMO is one of the oldest national banks in the Midwest with almost a 200-year history. It's headquartered in Chicago and has over 1,000 branches. Though it's mostly located in 22 states, it has fee-free transactions at more than 40,000 Allpoint® network ATMs nationwide.[1]
They offer a variety of personal deposit products, including checking, savings, CDs, and IRAs.
We like that there's a free checking option for low-balance customers. And if you have more to save, you can get higher interest rates with its Relationship Plus Money Market or CD specials.
Keep reading to learn more about BMO.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Free checking option with no balance requirements
- Only $25 to open checking accounts
- Fee-free transactions at more than 40,000 Allpoint® network ATMs nationwide
- Frequent cash bonuses for new customers
- Good digital tools to help manage your finances
Cons:
- Branches only in 22 states
- Low savings interest rates
BMO Promotions
BMO Smart Advantage Checking Account and BMO Smart Money Checking Account - Earn $300 Cash Bonus*
$300 Cash Bonus* when you have $4,000 in direct deposits within 90 days of opening between 11/1/24 – 2/3/25. *Conditions Apply. Available in the U.S. BMO Bank N.A. Member FDIC
Smart Advantage Checking
BMO Smart Advantage Checking
- Minimum Deposit to Open: $25
- Balance Requirement: None
- Monthly Fee: No monthly fees with paperless statements (otherwise $3 for paper statements and $3 for check images)
- APY: N/A
- ATMs: Fee-free transactions at more than 40,000 Allpoint® network ATMs nationwide
This is the most popular BMO checking account and for good reason. As long as you opt for eStatements, there's no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance required for this account.[2]
Other features include:
- Choose your debit card from several options
- Get cash from ATMs with just your smartphone
- Mobile check deposits, bill pay, and Zelle
- Personalized support via chat, phone and in branch
Note that this account has a $15 overdraft fee. It applies if the account is overdrawn by more than $50.[3]
Smart Money Checking
BMO Smart Money Checking
- No minimum balance required
- Fee-free transactions at more than 40,000 Allpoint® network ATMs nationwide
- $5 monthly maintenance fee ($0 if you're under 25 years old)
The Smart Money checking account is meant to be a safe account with no overdraft fees. It doesn't allow overdrafts - if you don't have the money, the transaction simply will not go through.
It has a $5 monthly service fee that cannot be waived. However, this account is free for young adults under 25 years old.[4]
Relationship Checking
BMO Relationship Checking
- Up to $25 rebated per statement period on ATM surcharge fees charged by other banks
- $25 monthly fee may be waived if you meet any of the following requirements: minimum daily ledger balance of $10,000 or more for the previous calendar month, monthly combined balance of $25,000 for the previous calendar month, if you have a BMO Investment Services (BIS) account, or if you are a Best of BMO US client.
This is the only BMO checking account that earns interest. In exchange for interest and other perks, it requires a high balance in order to waive the hefty $25 monthly maintenance fee.[5]
Some other perks include:
- $25 monthly rebates on ATM fee surcharges by other banks
- Free incoming wires
- No annual rental fee for a 3"x5" Safe Deposit Box
- Interest rate discounts on lending products
Compare Checking Account Promotions
Bank of America Advantage Banking - $300 Bonus Offer
- The $300 bonus offer is an online only offer and must be opened through the Bank of America promotional page.
- The offer is for new checking customers only.
- Offer expires 01/31/2025.
- To qualify, open a new eligible Bank of America Advantage Banking account through the promotional page and set up and receive Qualifying Direct Deposits* totaling $2,000 or more into that new eligible account within 90 days of account opening. Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking® for Family Banking accounts are not eligible for this offer.
- Once all requirements are met, Bank of America will attempt to pay bonus within 60 days.
- Additional terms and conditions apply. See offer page for more details.
- *A Qualifying Direct Deposit is a direct deposit of regular monthly income – such as your salary, pension or Social Security benefits, which are made by your employer or other payer – using account and routing numbers that you provide to them.
- Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.
U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking - Up to $450 Bonus
Earn up to $450 with a new Bank Smartly Checking account. Complete the following within 90 days of account opening:
- Enroll in online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App
- Make two or more direct deposits(s) totaling $2,000 to $4,999.99 to earn $250, $5,000 to $7,999.99 to earn $350 or $8,000 or more to earn $450.
Fund your new account within 30 days to start qualifying activities. Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint.
HSBC Premier - Earn Up to $2,500
Start an HSBC Premier relationship today. You'll enjoy premium banking with both local and global benefits and access to wealth solutions offered through HSBC Securities, (USA), Inc*.
You could earn $1,500 or $2,500 if you open a new, eligible HSBC Premier checking account from July 1, 2024 through January 2, 2025, and complete qualifying activities.
- Get a $1,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $100,000 to $249,999 in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months.
- Get a $2,500 Cash Bonus: Add New Money of $250,000+ in deposit and/or eligible investment accounts within 20 days of opening your new checking account and maintain the Qualifying Balance for 3 full consecutive months.
- Cash Bonus will be deposited into your new checking account within 8 weeks of meeting all the offer requirements.
Savings Builder Account
BMO Savings Builder Account has $0 monthly fee and requires just $25 to open. However, like most national banks, the interest rate is pretty low.
But a pretty cool perk is that during the first year of the account, BMO will reward you with an extra $5 for each month you save $200 or more.[6] This gives you the opportunity to earn an extra $60 for your savings.
Savings Account - Up to $60 Bonus
Open a new Statement Savings account. Earn $5 every month when you save $200 or more per month. Your account is only eligible for 12 consecutive months beginning with the month your account is opened. See terms and conditions for more information.
Compare Savings Accounts
High-Yield Savings Premier - 4.46% APY
- No account activity or maintenance fees
- $500 minimum opening deposit
- FDIC insured
Discover® Online Savings - $200 Cash Bonus
To qualify for Bonus: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account, enter Offer Code CY924 at application, deposit into your Account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Qualifying deposit(s) may consist of multiple deposits and must post to Account within 45 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.
What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers, including co-branded, or affinity accounts. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is subject to tax reporting. Offer ends 03/13/2025, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. Due to new customer funding limits, you may wish to initiate fund transfers at your other institution. For information on funding your Account, see FAQs on Discover.com/Bank. See advertiser website for full details.
CIT Bank Platinum Savings - 4.55% APY
- 4.55% APY with a balance of $5,000 or more
- 0.25% APY with a balance of less than $5,000
- $100 minimum opening deposit
- No monthly maintenance fee
- Member FDIC
Relationship Plus Money Market
With just $25, you can open a Relationship Plus Money Market account. There is a $10 monthly service fee unless you maintain a minimum daily balance of $5,000.
They may offer higher interest rates when you bundle it with a BMO Relationship Checking Account Relationship Package. The more money you deposit, the higher your interest rate can be.
Compare Money Market Accounts
Money Market Deposit Account - 4.45% APY
- $1 minimum deposit
- No fees
- 24/7 online access to funds
- FDIC insured
Money Market Deposit Account - 4.45% APY
- $1 minimum deposit
- No fees
- 24/7 online access to funds
- Federally insured by NCUA
Money Market Deposit Account - 4.40% APY
- $1 minimum deposit
- No fees
- 24/7 online access to funds
- FDIC insured
CDs
- Standard CD: BMO offers your standard CD with a variety of maturity dates and just a $1,000 opening deposit. Terms range from 3 months to 5 years.[7]
- Add-on CD: With this CD, you can make additional deposits after you open the CD. You can deposit money as often as you like. The Add-on CD only comes in 1-year terms and requires a $1,000 opening deposit.
- Special Rate CDs: BMO also offers a variety of "special" CDs. You'll find higher interest rates and unique terms on these CDs. It also has a $1,000 minimum deposit requirement.
Yes — BMO is FDIC-insured. Your money is FDIC insured for up to $250,000 per depositor.
Compare CD Rates
High-Yield CD Rates - Up to 4.05% APY
- No fees
- $1 minimum deposit
- FDIC insured
| Term | CD Rates |
|---|---|
| 3 Month | 4.05% APY |
| 5 Month | 3.85% APY |
| 6 Month | 3.75% APY |
| 9 Month | 3.00% APY |
| 12 Month | 3.00% APY |
12-Month No-Penalty CD - 3.95% APY
- $1 minimum deposit
- 24/7 online access
- Federally insured by NCUA
Certificate of Deposit
- 4.10% APY for 12-month term
- 3.80% APY for 18-month term
- 3.50% APY for 36-month term
- 3.40% APY for 5-year term
IRAs
- CDs: BMO offers IRA CDs for those who want to take the conservative route with their retirement funds. With just $1,000, you can open a retirement CD. The terms range from 3 months to 5 years. The longer the maturity date that you choose and the more money you invest, the higher the interest rate BMO will offer.[8]
- IRA Premium Savers: This IRA allows you to make deposits as you can or even on an automated basis. You need $100 to open the account and you can make deposits as frequently or infrequently as you like. You can open the account as a traditional, ROTH, or SEP IRA.[9]
The BMO routing number is 071025661. You can also see it on the bottom of your personal checks. It's the number on the left-hand side, before your account number.
Banking Features
- Total Look
You can link your non-BMO financial accounts. This gives you the chance to see your full financial picture in one place. You can view transactions, track spending, set up savings goals, create budgets, and more.[10] - Mobile Cash
This feature lets you withdraw cash from ATMs with just your smartphone. You don't need to bring your debit card. - Overdraft Funding
If you link a BMO checking and savings account, they will automatically transfer money from your savings to cover overdrafts. This can help you avoid hefty overdraft fees. - Auto Save
You set up the amount and frequency, and BMO will automatically transfer into your savings account for you. It takes the thinking out of saving and helps you avoid spending the money before you have a chance to save it. - Large ATM network
Aside from their own ATMs, BMO is also in the AllPoint network, with over 40,000 ATMs across the US. You can withdraw your money free of charge, even if you're not near a BMO service area. - Card Monitor
You can turn your debit card on and off at any time within the app. Plus, you can control spending by setting restrictions by location, merchant type, and transaction amount.
You can reach BMO at 1-888-340-2265, 24 hours a day. They also offer the ability to send private messages via their Facebook and Twitter social media pages. You may also use their branch locator and set up an appointment in-person with a BMO banker.
BMO Downsides
- Located in mostly 22 states
Unless you live in AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, UT, WA, WI, or WY, you won't be able to bank locally with BMO. - Low savings rates
As typical of national banks, BMO' savings interest rates are pretty abysmal. Don't expect your money to grow much. But there are some CDs with decent rates if you're willing to lock up your funds for a certain term. - $50 to close your account
BMO charges this fee if you close your checking or savings account within the first 90 days of opening it. If you are unsure if the account will work for you, it may be better to wait until you are truly sure.[11]
How It Compares
Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third is concentrated across the Midwest, South, and Southeast. There is no minimum balance required, no monthly service charge and no minimum deposit to open the traditional checking account, although you will need to fund it within 45 days.[12] They do have a vast network of 50,000 fee-free ATMs and offer online/mobile banking.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo is truly a national bank, with a presence in 37 states. They have a network of 12,000 ATMs and a variety of account options. Like BMO, they offer interest-free checking accounts with easy ways to avoid the monthly maintenance fee. They also offer 24/7 phone customer service.
Bottom Line
BMO is a full-service bank with a variety of features and benefits to offer. If you're looking for basic checking and savings with low requirements, BMO may offer just what you need.
But if you're looking for high interest rates, you may want to consider online only banks that have less overhead and can offer higher yields.
References
- ^ BMO Facts, Retrieved 2/13/2022
- ^ BMO Smart Advantage, Retrieved 2/13/2022
- ^ BMO Smart Advantage Deposit Account Disclosure and Bank Fee Schedule, Retrieved 2/14/2022
- ^ BMO Smart Money, Retrieved 2/13/2022
- ^ BMO Relationship Checking, Retrieved 7/20/2023
- ^ BMO. Savings Builder Account, Retrieved 2/13/2022
- ^ BMO. Certificate of Deposit (CDs), Retrieved 2/13/2022
- ^ BMO. IRA Certificates of Deposit (CDs), Retrieved 2/13/2022
- ^ BMO. IRA Premium Savers, Retrieved 2/13/2022
- ^ BMO Total Look - Add Accounts to Total Look, Retrieved 2/13/2022
- ^ BMO. Deposit Account Disclosure and Bank Fee Schedule, Retrieved 2/13/2022
- ^ Fifth Third Bank. Compare Checking Accounts, Retrieved 4/5/2022
Chase Total Checking® - $300 Bonus
- New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities
- With over 4,700 branches, Chase has the largest branch network in the U.S. plus access to more than 15,000 ATMs.
- Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
- Open your account online now
- Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
- Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fees if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*
Bank of America Advantage Banking - $300 Bonus Offer
- The $300 bonus offer is an online only offer and must be opened through the Bank of America promotional page.
- The offer is for new checking customers only.
- Offer expires 01/31/2025.
- To qualify, open a new eligible Bank of America Advantage Banking account through the promotional page and set up and receive Qualifying Direct Deposits* totaling $2,000 or more into that new eligible account within 90 days of account opening. Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking® for Family Banking accounts are not eligible for this offer.
- Once all requirements are met, Bank of America will attempt to pay bonus within 60 days.
- Additional terms and conditions apply. See offer page for more details.
- *A Qualifying Direct Deposit is a direct deposit of regular monthly income – such as your salary, pension or Social Security benefits, which are made by your employer or other payer – using account and routing numbers that you provide to them.
- Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.
U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking - Up to $450 Bonus
Earn up to $450 with a new Bank Smartly Checking account. Complete the following within 90 days of account opening:
- Enroll in online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App
- Make two or more direct deposits(s) totaling $2,000 to $4,999.99 to earn $250, $5,000 to $7,999.99 to earn $350 or $8,000 or more to earn $450.
Fund your new account within 30 days to start qualifying activities. Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint.
Discover® Online Savings - $200 Cash Bonus
To qualify for Bonus: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account, enter Offer Code CY924 at application, deposit into your Account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Qualifying deposit(s) may consist of multiple deposits and must post to Account within 45 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.
What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers, including co-branded, or affinity accounts. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is subject to tax reporting. Offer ends 03/13/2025, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. Due to new customer funding limits, you may wish to initiate fund transfers at your other institution. For information on funding your Account, see FAQs on Discover.com/Bank. See advertiser website for full details.
CIT Bank Platinum Savings - 4.55% APY
- 4.55% APY with a balance of $5,000 or more
- 0.25% APY with a balance of less than $5,000
- $100 minimum opening deposit
- No monthly maintenance fee
- Member FDIC
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