BMO vs Axos Bank

BMO is a midwest bank with options for low and high-balance customers. How does it compare to Axos Bank? Read our comparison chart below.

BMO has over 900 branches and is the 8th largest bank in North America by assets. Smart Advantage checking has no fee and no minimum balance if you opt for eStatements. Savings need just $100 to open with easy ways to waive fees. Special Rate CDs require a $5,000 minimum opening deposit.

While Axos Bank offers a range of checking and savings products. Checking options includes a up-to 1% cashback account and rewards checking account with a higher interest rate. Savings options include savings accounts and CDs with higher-than-average rates. All accounts have no monthly service fees.

Compare BMO with Axos Bank, side-by-side. Read on for an in-depth look, including ratings, reviews, pros and cons.

	BMO	Axos Bank
	Member FDIC	Member FDIC
	Visit Site	Learn More
	SPECIAL OFFER BMO Smart Advantage Checking Account - Earn $350 Cash Bonus* - Learn More Read BMO Review	SPECIAL OFFER Rewards Checking - Up to 3.30% APY - Learn More Read Axos Bank Review
	Benefits and Features
Savings	0.01% APY. $5 reward every month you save $200 or more, for the first year.	0.61% APY (balances under $25k); 0.25% APY ($25K-$100K); 0.15% APY ($100k and over)
CD	0.05% - 3.00% APY. Terms of 3 months to 5 years. $1,000 minimum opening deposit.	0.20% APY. Terms of 3 months to 5 years. $1,000 minimum
Checking	Smart Advantage, Smart Money, Relationship	Rewards Checking: Up to 3.30% APY Cashback Checking: Up to 1% cashback
Money Market	0.80% APY. $25 minimum opening deposit. $10 monthly fee, waived with a $5,000 minimum daily balance.	0.25% APY
Mobile App		iOS & Android
ATMs	40,000+ BMO and Allpoint ATMs	approximately 91,000 partner ATMs
Customer Service	Mon-Fri: 7am - 10pm (CT); Sat-Sun 8am - 8pm	24/7
IRA CD	0.05% - 1.25% APY. Terms of 3 months to 5 years. $1,000 minimum opening deposit
IRA Money Market	IRA Premium Savers: $100 minimum opening deposit. No monthly maintenance fee
Locations	981 branches	Online only
	CreditDonkey® Reviews

Savings
CD
Checking
Money Market
Mobile App
Customer Service
ATMs
Locations
Pros & Cons	Pros: Free checking with eStatements Large ATM network Good financial tools Cons: Limited branches Low savings APY	Pros: Checking with rewards No monthly fee Domestic ATM rebates Cons: Low CD rates No physical branches
Bottom Line	Midwest bank with options for low and high-balance customers... Read full review	Full-service online bank with excellent cashback and interest checking... Read full review
	Visit Site	Learn More
	BMO Smart Advantage Checking Account - Earn $350 Cash Bonus* BMO Smart Money Checking Account - Earn $350 Cash Bonus* Savings Account - Up to $60 Bonus	Rewards Checking - Up to 3.30% APY Axos ONE - Earn up to 4.66% APY Basic Business Checking - Up to $400 Bonus
Blank fields may indicate the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the product website for details. BMO: Pricing information from published website as of 04/16/2025 based on 60603 zip code. Axos Bank: Pricing information from published website as of 09/27/2024.

Member FDIC

BMO Smart Advantage Checking Account - Earn $350 Cash Bonus*

$350 cash bonus* when you have a cumulative total of $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of account opening between 2/4/25 - 5/2/25. *Conditions Apply. Accounts are subject to approval and available in the U.S. by BMO Bank N.A. Member FDIC

Get Deal

Expires 5/2/2025

Member FDIC

BMO Smart Money Checking Account - Earn $350 Cash Bonus*

Get Deal

Expires 5/2/2025

Member FDIC

Rewards Checking - Up to 3.30% APY

Get Deal

Build your own APY with up to 3.30% APY*
Zero monthly maintenance fees
Zero overdraft or NSF fees
Zero minimum monthly balance reqs
No initial deposit requirement
Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
Online debit card management
Simple, 3-step process for direct deposit

Member FDIC

Axos ONE - Earn up to 4.66% APY

Learn More

Earn up to 4.66% APY* on savings, and 0.51% APY* on checking when you meet requirements.
Get your money up to 2 days early.
No monthly maintenance, minimum balance, account opening, or overdraft fees.

Member FDIC

Basic Business Checking - Up to $400 Bonus

Get Deal

Expires 9/30/2025

Business owners get up to $400 welcome bonus!* Open a business checking account by September 30 and get up to $400 when you use promo code NEW400 on your application.*
No initial deposit requirement
No minimum balance requirement
No monthly maintenance fees
Free domestic incoming wires. Two (2) outgoing domestic wire fees reimbursed per month.
Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
Unlimited item processing (debits, credits, and deposited items)
Cash deposits via MoneyPass and AllPoint networks

Which is Better: BMO or Axos Bank?

Still need help deciding which bank reviews & deals is better? Read the in-depth reviews below. You may also be interested in comparing BMO or Chase.

In short: BMO's cd is notable. Axos Bank's savings, checking, and money market are notable. In particular, the checking is excellent.

Articles on BMO

BMO Review

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.

BMO Routing Number

If you have a BMO account, you only need to be aware of one routing number. This number is 071025661. Read on and learn how to use it.

BMO Checking Account Bonus & Promotions

BMO rolls out enticing checking offers from time to time to attract new customers. Find the latest bonus deals here.

Who Owns BMO

BMO is a publicly-traded company with significant institutional investors. These include several well-known Canadian asset management firms and banks.

Is BMO an Ethical Bank

BMO has been recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for six consecutive years. How did they earn this award? Find out.

BMO Relationship Minimum Balance

Get more perks when you open a BMO Relationship Checking Account. Find out the balance you need to reach to unlock them.

Is BMO a Good Bank

Is BMO a good choice for your banking needs? Find out here.

Is BMO a Safe Bank

Wondering about the security of your funds with BMO? They have a Financial Crimes Unit backing you up, for one. Read on for more details.

What is BMO

BMO Harris is now BMO. But are they a legit bank? Find out if you should bank with them.

BMO Smart Advantage vs Smart Money

BMO's Smart Advantage has $0 monthly fees. Smart Money has no overdraft fees. Which one is a smarter choice? Read on to find out.

Is BMO a Real Bank

BMO, is a U.S bank, part of the Bank of Montreal. It offers solid basic checking options and a large ATM network. But, is it legit? Read on to find out.