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Banking FAQs

Questions about Everyday Banking Plans and Personal Accounts


Questions about Air Milesfootnote ®† Rewards


Questions about Online Banking


Questions about Receiving a Wire Payment


Questions about Support

Questions about Everyday Banking Plans and Personal Accounts

I do most of my banking online. What Everyday Banking Plan would work best for me?

All our Everyday Banking Plans offer multi-channel banking and are no longer differentiated between full-serve and self-serve transactions. Use the Help me choose to find the Plan most suited to the way you bank.

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Does BMO Bank of Montreal offer discounts on Everyday Banking Plans for seniors, kids, teens, students and recent graduates?

If you are under the age of 19 or over the age of 19 and a student in a post-secondary institution you will receive the Plus Plan for no monthly Plan fee (a $9.95 discount) or you may apply this discount to a Plan of higher value. Recent graduates also qualify for the same discount for the 12-month period from date of completion of post-secondary education. More Information

We have enhanced our Everyday Bank Plans to include a discount for seniors. When you turn 60, we will automatically apply the Senior discount on the Premium, Performance, Air Miles, Plus and Practical Plan. The Practical Plan is available for no monthly fee or choose any Bank Plan that best fits your needs and receive a $4.00 discount

footnote 1Customer is responsible for all fees of any transactions, services and products not included in the Everyday Banking Plan.

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Why would I need a Premium Rate Savings account?

A Premium Rate Savings account is ideal as part of your overall investment portfolio. It provides competitively higher rates of return, without locking in your funds. More information

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What is the difference between a Smart Saver Account and a Premium Rate Savings Account?

The Smart Saver Account allows you to earn a high interest rate on a lower balance as compared to the Premium Rate Savings Account. The Smart Saver Account can only be opened through online banking and cannot be part of a Banking Plan, so individual account transaction fees would apply. The Premium Rate Savings account offers the convenience of being included in an Everyday Banking Plan, which provides the flexibility of additional account transactions as part of your fixed monthly fee. The Premium Rate Savings Account is also available in U.S dollars. The Smart Saver Account is available only in Canadian dollars.

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If I have more than one personal account, is there a way to avoid paying $2.00 for each of my statements or passbooks?

If you have an Everyday Banking Plan, you receive one account statement or passbook free each month except for teens, students and recent graduates. You can also choose to consolidate your statements and receive a detailed view of your balances and transactions for all of your personal accounts on one monthly statement, for no additional statement fee. More information

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What is the best way to manage service charges and fees?

An Everyday Banking Plan provides the best value. You can include multiple Canadian and U.S. dollar personal accounts in one Planfootnote 1. By maintaining a minimum monthly balance in you Primary Chequing account when it is designated as the lead (main) accountfootnote 2 on your Everyday Banking Plan, the Plan fee can be waived. Select the Plan that fits your life, or switch Plans to meet your changing needs. Use the Help me choose to find the Plan most suited to the way you bank.

footnote 1Up to 20 Primary Chequing, Interest Chequing (for existing customers only) or Premium Rate Savings accounts are eligible to be opened under the Banking Plan of your choice for one monthly fee, subject to the Banking Plan's monthly transaction limits.
footnote 2The account from which the monthly Banking Plan fee and transaction fees that exceed the monthly transaction limit will be debited.

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Can I include my U.S. Dollar account in my Everyday Banking Plan?

Yes – you can include multiple Canadian and U.S. dollar personal accountsfootnote 1,in any Everyday Banking Plan. You can also include all of your accounts on one monthly statement.

footnote 1Up to 20 Primary Chequing, Interest Chequing (for existing customers only) or Premium Rate Savings accounts are eligible to be opened under the Banking Plan of your choice for one monthly fee, subject to the Banking Plan's monthly transaction limits.

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can I access my money from any of my accounts at a bank machine while I am in the united states or europe?

Yes – you have access to your available funds displayed as chequing or savings in any country that have ABMs with the Cirrusfootnote ®* or Maestrofootnote ®# symbol. All you need is your BMO Bank of Montreal FirstBank Cardfootnote ® and your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Note that you won't have access to the accounts listed as "Other" on your FirstBank Card. Plus, when you choose the Premium Plan you receive 5 monthly debit transactions using non-BMO ABMs on Cirrusfootnote ®* Network and 5 monthly Direct Payment purchases at merchants using Maestrofootnote ®# service.

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Questions about Air Miles Rewards

How do I collect reward miles at BMO?

There are many ways to collect Air Miles reward miles through BMO. Find out how fast your reward miles can add up.

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Questions about Online Banking

What is required to do my banking online?

In addition to your PC or Macintosh, you need:

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What types of banking transactions can I do online?

You can use online banking to do various transactions on accounts linked to your FirstBank Card. Take a tour of Online Banking to learn more.

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Can I open a bank account online?

You can open a Premium Rate Savings account through Online Banking if you already have a personal account and are registered for Online Banking. To open a chequing account, visit the nearest BMO Bank of Montreal branch.

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How do I register for Online Banking?

Visit our Online Banking registration page for more information.

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Is Online Banking secure?

Yes. Online banking requires 128-bit encryption, which is the strongest, most secure form of encryption that is generally available in Internet browsers. This ensures the security of your information and financial transactions. More information

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What can I do to make sure that nobody sees my financial information?

Ensure that you do not reveal your password to anyone else, and when you select a password, always avoid the obvious, such as your name, telephone number, date of birth or address. Sign out when you are finished your online Banking session. More information

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Questions about Receiving a Wire Payment

I want to receive a wire payment. What information should I provide?

Be prepared to provide the sending financial institution with:

When sent in U.S. Funds also provide the sending financial institution with:

Please contact your BMO Bank of Montreal branch if you require additional assistance.

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Questions about Support

What if I have questions?

You have three options:

  1. Call 1 8 0 0 3 6 3 9 9 9 2
  2. Select the "Requests" icon during your Online Banking session. We will respond to your request as soon as possible. To view our reply, simply select the Requests icon during your next Online Banking session. If your request is of an urgent nature, please call.
  3. If you have a specific question about your BMO account, please send us a message by signing into BMO Online Banking and choosing 'my messages'.

I am having problems using the BMO Bank of Montreal web site. Is there someone I can call for assistance?

Please call 1 8 0 0 3 6 3 9 9 9 2, and we will be glad to help you.

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