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BMO Performance Chequing Account review

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BMO Performance Chequing Account
3.7
★★★★★
Finder score
Bonus Offer
Earn $600
Monthly Account Fee
$17.95
Free Transactions
unlimited
e-Transfer Fee
$0

Our verdict

Enjoy a generous welcome bonus and get unlimited free transactions with the affordable chequing account. 

The BMO Performance Chequing Account is one of BMO's most popular chequing accounts. It offers unlimited free transactions and e-Transfers, and a up to $600 welcome bonus (if you meet certain criteria). Just be aware that this account comes with a monthly fee of $17.95, however this can be waived if you The monthly account fee is waived if you maintain a minimum monthly balance of at least $4,000.

Best for: Those looking to earn a generous welcome offer and take advantage of free unlimited transactions and e-Transfers.

Pros

  • Unlimited, free transactions and e-Transfers
  • Earn up to $600 welcome bonus (if you meet certain criteria)
  • Get the monthly account fee waived if you The monthly account fee is waived if you maintain a minimum monthly balance of at least $4,000.
  • You can get up to $40 of your BMO credit card annual fee rebated annually

Cons

  • This account has a monthly fee of $17.95
  • You won't earn any interest on the money in your account

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Your reviews

What are the benefits of the BMO Performance Chequing Account?

The BMO Performance Chequing Account is a mid-level account that offers a number of benefits. These include the following:

  • Monthly fee can be waived. The monthly account fee is waived if you maintain a minimum monthly balance of at least $4,000.
  • Unlimited free transactions. You can carry out as many transactions as you like with the BMO Performance plan without limit, including bill payments, debit purchases and ATM withdrawals.
  • Free Interac e-Transfers. You’ll be able to send money to family and friends at no extra charge with unlimited free Interac e-Transfers.
  • Welcome bonus. Get up to a $600 cash bonus. Earn $350 when you open a new BMO Performance Chequing Account and $200 when you open a Savings Amplifier Account. Plus, earn an additional $50 when you add a second member and make it a BMO Family Bundle. Valid until October 31, 2024. Plus, earn a 5.50% promo interest rate when you open a Performance Chequing and a Savings Amplifier Account.
  • Eligible for a family bundle. Your family members won’t have to pay if they open a BMO Performance Chequing Account under the umbrella of your account.
  • Annual credit card rebate. You’ll get a rebate of $40 on the annual fee that’s associated with your BMO Mastercard when you sign up for this account.
  • Special discounts. You may qualify to get your monthly fees waived or discounted if you’re a youth, student, senior or recent graduate.
  • No Fee Global Money Transfer: Send funds quickly and securely to up to 50 countries (regions) in multiple currencies.

What should I look out for?

While this performance plan from BMO comes with a number of benefits, there are also a couple of drawbacks you should keep in mind before signing up:

  • Monthly fee. You’ll have to pay a monthly fee of $17.95 to keep this account active unless you hold a balance of The monthly account fee is waived if you maintain a minimum monthly balance of at least $4,000..
  • No interest on savings. You won’t earn interest on the money you hold in your account.
  • Fee for overdraft protection. You’ll have to pay $5 per month to get overdraft protection if you dip into a negative balance.
  • Fee for paper statement. You’ll pay an additional $2 per month to have a paper statement mailed to you.
  • Non-BMO ATMs cost money. It will cost you an extra fee to take money out at non-BMO ATMs (though you’ll get one free non-BMO withdrawal within Canada per month).

BMO Performance Chequing Account‘s ATM network and fees

The BMO Performance Chequing Account comes with a monthly fee of $17.95. This works out to $203.40 per year if you do the math, which is a lot to pay for a bank account. That said, you may be able to get a discounted rate for being in a certain demographic. The monthly account fee is waived if you maintain a minimum monthly balance of at least $4,000.

One of the main benefits associated with the BMO Performance plan is that you’ll get free unlimited BMO ATM withdrawals. That said, you may have to pay a fee to withdraw money using a non-BMO ATM. This is why you should be careful about where you take money out to avoid having to pay extra fees for domestic and international withdrawals.

What other chequing account options does BMO offer?

Besides the BMO Performance plan, BMO also has several chequing accounts to choose from, so it should be easy to find a good match based on the exact specifications you’re looking for. You can easily compare features of BMO chequing accounts below.

1 - 5 of 5
Name Product CAFSA-CHQ Finder Rating Monthly Account Fee Free Transactions e-Transfer Fee Bonus Offer Offer
BMO Performance Chequing Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.7 / 5
$17.95 (can be waived)
unlimited
$0
Earn $600
Get up to a $600 cash bonus. Valid until October 31, 2024. Plus, earn a 5.50% promo interest rate when you open a Performance Chequing and a Savings Amplifier Account.
BMO Premium Plan Chequing Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.5 / 5
$30.95 (can be waived)
unlimited
$0
Earn $600
Get up to a $600 cash bonus. Valid until October 31, 2024. Plus, earn a 5.50% bonus interest rate when you add a Savings Amplifier Account.
BMO Performance Student Chequing Account
BMO Performance Student Chequing Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.6 / 5
$0 (can be waived)
unlimited
$0
Earn $100
Earn a $100 cash bonus and enjoy six months of Domino’s Pizza (worth $95, one pizza per month) when you open a new BMO Student Chequing Account. Valid until October 31, 2024.
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BMO New to Canada Performance Chequing Account
BMO New to Canada Performance Chequing Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.7 / 5
$16.95 (can be waived)
unlimited
$0
Earn $600
Earn up to a $600 welcome bonus. Valid until October 31, 2024. Plus, earn a 5.50% promo interest rate when you open a Performance Chequing and a Savings Amplifier Account.
Go to site
BMO Canadian Defence Community Banking Performance Plan Chequing Account
BMO Canadian Defence Community Banking Performance Plan Chequing Account
Finder Score:
★★★★★
3.7 / 5
$0
unlimited
$0
N/A
Go to site
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How do I open a BMO Performance Chequing Account

BMO Performance Chequing Account eligibility requirements

To apply for a BMO Performance Chequing Account, you need to meet the following criteria: Must be 18 or older (or the age of majority), have a SIN and a Canadian address. To qualify for the NewStart Program, you must be a permanent resident or foreign worker who arrived in Canada within the last five years.

Required documents and information

You’ll likely need to provide the following information when signing up for the BMO Performance Chequing Account:

  • Your name, residential status and contact information
  • Your Social Insurance Number and date of birth
  • Your email address and phone number

How do I deposit or withdraw my money?

You can easily take money out of your BMO Performance plan account at an ATM or by visiting a branch in person. It’s also possible to transfer money out of your account using an internal BMO transfer, or by sending money to an external bank account.

To deposit funds, all you need to do is cash a cheque or deposit cash at an ATM or in a branch. You can also set up a direct deposit from your payroll or send a transfer in from a BMO account or an external bank account.

Expert BMO Performance Chequing Account review

The BMO Performance Chequing Account offers unlimited transactions and top-tier benefits for a reasonable monthly fee. These benefits include free Interac e-Transfers, a decent annual credit card rebate and a generous welcome bonus. This account might work well for you if you make a significant number of withdrawals each month and you’d like to pay a reasonable fee.

Compare with other chequing accounts

BMO Performance Chequing Account logo

BMO Performance Chequing Account

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Monthly Account Fee

$17.95


Free Transactions

unlimited


e-Transfer Fee

$0


Bonus Offer

Earn $600

Coast Capital Free Chequing, Free Debit, and More Account logo

Coast Capital Free Chequing, Free Debit, and More Account

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Monthly Account Fee

$0


Free Transactions

unlimited


e-Transfer Fee

$1.50


Bonus Offer

Get $150

Simplii No Fee Chequing Account logo

Simplii No Fee Chequing Account

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Monthly Account Fee

$0


Free Transactions

unlimited


e-Transfer Fee

$0


Bonus Offer

Earn $500

Frequently asked questions

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