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BMO Bank Account Bonus Offers (2026)

This Canadian-based bank has a lot of bonuses up for grabs; up to $1,500.

Key takeaways

  • BMO offers up to $600 for checking, $60 for savings and up to $1,500 for business checking. It’s one of the few big banks with a savings account bonus on offer.
  • The $600 personal checking bonus is the best offer. Open one of three eligible checking accounts, then set up direct deposit and deposit at least $1,000 each month for six consecutive months.
  • You’ll need to live in one of 14 states. BMO’s bonus terms require residency in a state it services, concentrated in the Midwest and West.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain errors or omissions.

BMO Financial Group, or just BMO, is a top-ten bank in North America, and has over 200 years in the business. In the states, it’s headquartered in Chicago but has 600 branches concentrated in the Midwest. It’s a heavy-hitter and has all the basic checking, savings and business accounts you could need. And on top of that, BMO even has a savings account bonus, which isn’t that common!

Compare BMO’s checking, savings and business account bonuses. Just remember there are some requirements, so read the terms and conditions carefully to make sure you can get that sweet bonus cash.

All BMO bonuses at a glance

Bonus typeBonus amountRequirements
Checking account bonusUp to $600Open a new BMO Smart Advantage Checking Account, or BMO Smart Money Checking Account, or BMO Relationship Checking Account and then meet deposit requirements.

With a new account opened, set up direct deposit and deposit at least $1,000 each month for up to six consecutive months.

Savings Builder accountUp to $60Open a new Savings Builder account online, and then grow your balance by at least $200 each month for the first year. BMO will deposit $5 each month you grow your balance by $200 for up to 12 months.
Business checking accountUp to $1,500Open a new BMO business checking account online or in person between September 1, 2026 and February 1, 2027.

Bonus amount determined by balance at the end of the first 30 days of account ownership:

$400 bonus for $4,000 balance
$750 bonus for $25,000 balance
$1,000 bonus for $50,000 balance
$1,500 bonus for $100,000 balance

Hot tip: BMO isn't in all states

To qualify for a BMO bonus, you’ll need to live in a state it services. According to the terms, the primary applicant must reside in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wisconsin at the time of application.

BMO’s best bonus offer

A tricky one, but the BMO personal checking offer is the best in our opinion. It does require some commitment, but it’s a solid offer.

For starters, you can open one of three BMO checking accounts to qualify for the bonus, since it’s the same across the accounts. However, you get the ability to choose which account is best for you.

From there, you need to deposit $1,000 via direct deposit each month, for six months in a row. Like we said, a commitment, but a $500 biweekly paycheck will do the trick.

And at the end of the day, it’s a $600 bonus, which could be broken down to $100 per month since it takes six months to earn. Not too shabby, not too complicated, and technically effortless if you set up direct deposit and let the cash deposit.

Compare other bank signup bonuses

Earn a $250 bonus

GO TO SITE
on Capital One's secure site
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  • Earn a $250 bonus with fee-free 360 Checking
  • 70,000+ fee-free ATMs
  • 24/7 mobile banking with Capital One app
Member FDIC

Earn a $250 bonus with 360 Checking. Open a new account on or after August 22nd, 2024 using the promo code CHECKING250 then set up and receive at least 2 qualifying direct deposits of $500 or more within 75 days of account opening. Terms Apply.

Up to 3.30% APY

GO TO SITE
on SoFi's secure site
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  • Earn $50 or $400 when you sign up and set up eligible direct deposit
  • 0.50% APY on checking balance
  • Up to 3.30% APY on savings
  • $0 account or overdraft fees

Earn up to 4.00% on savings

GO TO SITE
on Current's secure site
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  • No credit check required to apply
  • No monthly fees or minimum deposit
  • Build credit plus earn up to 4% bonus

What does BMO consider a qualifying direct deposit?

For the BMO checking offer, you’ll need to meet some direct deposit requirements, which means it has some rules as to what deposits will count toward the bonus.

BMO considers these are eligible for its bonus requirements:

  • Salary
  • Paycheck
  • Pension payment
  • Social Security payment
  • Government benefits

Non-qualifying deposits are transfers such as teller deposits, wire transfers, ATM deposits, account to account transfers or peer-to-peer transfers (Zelle, Venmo, etc.).

Compare more bank account bonuses

Overall, BMO has some pretty good bank account bonuses. And to make it even sweeter, there are bonuses for checking, savings and business bonuses, so there’s something for most folks. But if you don’t live in BMO’s service area, then you’re outta luck. Compare the best bank account bonus offers from other banks and credit unions.

Frequently asked questions

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Laycock as part of our fact-checking process.
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Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto. Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt. Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others. Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio

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