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System maintenance notice: November 19 2023. We’ll be performing system maintenance from Friday, December 8 at 9 p.m. to Saturday, December 9 at 1 a.m. EDT. There will be interruptions to the new account application service during this time. We advise not starting an application within this window. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Direct investing with BMO

Whether you’d like to make your own investment choices, invest with advice, or have your portfolio managed for you, there’s an online option to help you make progress toward your investing goals.
  • Platforms that meet your evolving needs – so your strategy can grow with you
  • Access to world-class research, tools, accounts and investments
  • In-branch support if and when you need it – so you’re never investing alone

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Direct investing solutions for every investor

Investing online doesn’t have to mean investing alone. You can have as much — or as little — control and support as you want. Compare our direct investing services and decide what works best for you.

BMO Self-Directed

Trade Online

$0 minimum account size†
$0 per trade on 100+ ETFs*
  • A great choice if: You want to be in control of the entire online trading and investment process, have access to research, tools, IPOs or margin trading.
  • Invest in: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, GICs, CDRs, options.
  • Pricing: $9.95 per trade and $0 per trade on select ETFs.
Open an account
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Special offer: Get up to $3,500 cash back.*

BMO adviceDirect

Trading online with expert
advice

$10,000 minimum account size

Up to 185* trades included annually
  • A great choice if: You want to trade online yourself with advisor support, tools, research, and built-in trade recommendations backed by expert analysis to help you decide what to do (including trade recommendations).
  • Invest in: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, GICs, CDRs.
  • Pricing: Sliding scale based on portfolio size: from $75 up to $3,750 annually.
Open an account
Learn more
Special offer: Get up to $3,500 cash back.*

BMO SmartFolio

Let us invest for you

$1,000 minimum account size

  • A great choice if: You want low fees and a professionally managed portfolio that you can access online anytime.
  • Invest in: Exchange traded funds.
  • Pricing: Sliding scale based on portfolio size: 0.7% - 0.4%.
Open an account
Learn more
Special offer: Get up to $1,000 cash back when you open your account.***

Compare platforms

Find the perfect match based on your investing preferences.

chart comparing the features of different B M O online investing accounts

BMO InvestorLine Self-Directed

Online trading

BMO InvestorLine adviceDirect

Online trading with advice

B M O SmartFolio

Online portfolio management
Trade on-the-go with the BMO Invest Appyou can place trades online and have access to initial public offerings with an investorline self-directed account
you can place trades online and have access to initial public offerings with an investorline advice direct account
Indicators and alertsyou can access E T F portfolios matched to your risk tolerance with a smartfolio accountyou can receive Indicators, alerts, with an investorline advice direct account
Responsible investing with tools, research and ESG Insightsyou can access tools and research with an investorline self-directed accountyou can access tools and research with an investorline advice direct account
Trading on marginyou can access margin trading with an investorline self-directed accountyou can access margin tradding with an investorline advice direct account
Access to Initial Public Offerings
you can access margin tradding with an investorline advice direct accountyou can access E T F portfolios matched to your risk tolerance with a smartfolio account
Access to BMO Active Traderyou can access margin tradding with an investorline advice direct account
Options tradingyou can access margin tradding with an investorline advice direct account
Trade recommendations and personalized advice
ETF portfolios matched to your risk tolerance ETF portfolios matched to your risk tolerance
Professionally managed portfolios ETF portfolios matched to your risk tolerance
open an account table row
Open an account
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Investing more than $500k? Check out adviceDirect Premium
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Why invest online with B M O?

  • Platforms that meet your evolving needs

    BMO's investing services grow with you. We’re constantly improving our platforms so you can rest easy knowing there’s always a way for you to invest using your evolving investing strategy.

  • World-class research and tools

    Dive into a wealth of research with BMO’s team of economic experts. Stay on top of all the economic trends, with access to tools and research, to ensure you’re always on the right path to success.

  • Support when you need it

    Access dedicated support teams for each investing platform when you need them—available in person, online or over the phone.

  • 24/7 account access

    No matter which platform you choose, access your portfolio online or using our BMO Invest App, anytime. Check your performance or make changes to your portfolio on your terms.

Help me choose

Need more guidance? Use our Help Me Choose tool to find an investment plan for your goals.
Get started

Direct investing FAQs

Still not sure if Direct investing is for you?

Check out BMO Smartfolio, our online low-fee professional ETF portfolio management platform that saves you time and money.
  • Dedicated portfolio managers manage your portfolio of ETFs
  • Low advisory fees from 0.4 to 0.7%
  • Total transparency about your performance, fees and progress
Learn More

Have questions? That’s what we’re here for.

Call us

Connect with us from Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET).
1-888-776-6886 North America (Toll-free)
1-416-355-8366 International (Collect call)

Chat with us

Connect with us from Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET).

Let us contact you

Have one of us contact you to discuss your needs.

Disclaimers

B M O InvestorLine Inc. is a member of B M O Financial Group. ®Registered trade-mark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence. B M O InvestorLine Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Montreal. Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.

An adviceDirect account is a non-discretionary, fee based account which offers investment recommendations. adviceDirect does not provide portfolio management by a portfolio manager. The client makes their own investment decisions and manages their own investment portfolio. adviceDirect does not offer discretionary, managed accounts.

B M O SmartFolio is a product of B M O Nesbitt Burns. A B M O SmartFolio account is a discretionary fee based account which offers Digital Portfolio Management service. B M O SmartFolio matches clients to a managed E T F portfolio that aligns to their investment objectives. If you are already a client of B M O Nesbitt Burns, please contact your Investment Advisor for more information.

“B M O (M-design)”, “B M O” and “B M O (M-design) Wealth Management” are registered trademarks of Bank of Montreal, used under license. “Nesbitt Burns” and “SmartFolio” are trademarks of B M O Nesbitt Burns Inc. B M O Nesbitt Burns Inc. and B M O InvestorLine are wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of Montreal and are Members – Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Members of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.