BMO Bank covers a lot of ground beyond checking accounts and mortgages, and a fair number of common questions about it don't fit neatly into a product page. Who actually runs BMO in the US, what's its real legal name, is it the same thing as Bank of Montreal in Canada, and what changed for former Bank of the West customers are all questions that come up constantly without a single place that answers them.
This guide pulls all of that together in one place: the company facts, the ongoing Bank of the West transition, how to log into BMO Bank Online Banking and manage your BMO Bank Personal Account, how to reach BMO Bank Customer Service, and answers to the smaller but genuinely common questions like whether BMO uses ChexSystems or offers notary services.
About BMO Bank
BMO Bank, N.A. is the full legal name of the US institution most people just call BMO, and it's a fairly recent name at that, adopted in 2023 when the bank dropped "Harris" from its branding. What does BMO Bank stand for? Historically, BMO is short for Bank of Montreal, the Canadian institution that owns the US operation through BMO Financial Corp.
The bank's US roots trace back much further than the current name suggests, running through several legal names over the decades before landing on BMO Bank, N.A.
BMO Bank's Full Name and History
BMO bank full name history runs through several previous identities: N.W. Harris & Co. from 1882, Harris Trust and Savings Bank from 1907, Harris Bank N.A. starting in 1972, BMO Harris Bank N.A. from 2011, and finally BMO Bank, N.A. starting in 2023 after the Bank of the West merger. Each name change reflected either an acquisition or a rebranding decision by Bank of Montreal, the parent company that's owned the US operation since 1984.
About BMO bank of Montreal specifically: it's the Canadian parent, chartered in 1817 and considered Canada's oldest bank. The US subsidiary operates under its own charter and its own brand name today, even though ownership traces back to that same Canadian institution.
Who Is the CEO of BMO Bank
The CEO of BMO Bank, N.A. is Darrel Hackett, who also serves as US CEO of BMO Financial Group and CEO of BMO Financial Corp., the bank's US holding company. He took on the role in mid-2023, succeeding Dave Casper, who had led BMO's US operations since 2018.
Hackett reports to Darryl White, the global CEO of BMO Financial Group based in Canada, who oversees the entire organization across both countries. The US leadership team below Hackett handles day-to-day operations across personal banking, business banking, wealth management and commercial banking.
BMO Bank vs Bank of Montreal Canada
BMO Bank in the US and Bank of Montreal in Canada are related but operate as separate institutions with separate charters, separate regulators, and separate account systems. A checking account opened at a BMO branch in Chicago cannot be accessed or managed through Bank of Montreal's Canadian online banking, and vice versa.
This distinction trips people up more than almost anything else on this list, especially customers who've banked with BMO in both countries or who search for BMO Canada services expecting them to work the same way in the US.
Key Differences Between BMO US and BMO Canada
Routing numbers are a good example of the split: the US BMO Bank uses ABA routing number 071025661 for its accounts, while Canadian Bank of Montreal accounts use an entirely different transit and institution number system specific to Canadian banking. Neither number works for the other country's transfers.
Customer service, product lineups and even fee schedules differ between the two as well, since each operates under its own country's banking regulations. A customer with accounts in both countries essentially manages two separate banking relationships, even though both ultimately report up to the same parent company.
The Bank of the West to BMO Transition
BMO acquired Bank of the West in February 2023, and by 2023 into 2024 began converting former Bank of the West customers onto BMO's systems, a process that's been the source of a lot of the friction reflected in recent app and customer service reviews. Bank of the West branches across states like California, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico effectively became BMO branches once the conversion completed.
Account numbers, routing numbers, debit cards and online banking credentials all changed for affected customers as part of that migration, which explains a lot of the login and access complaints that spiked during the transition period.
What Changed for Former Bank of the West Customers
Former Bank of the West customers received new account numbers, new debit cards, and had to re-enroll in BMO's online banking and mobile app rather than simply carrying over their old login credentials. That re-enrollment step is the single biggest source of the login complaints tied to this transition.
Product terms, fee schedules and available account types also shifted to match BMO's standard US lineup, which meant some Bank of the West-specific products no longer existed in the same form after the conversion. Anyone still running into issues tied to this transition should contact BMO customer service directly, since account-specific migration issues typically need a representative to sort out rather than a self-service fix.
BMO Bank Login, Online Banking and Your Personal Account
BMO Bank Login gives customers access to their BMO Bank Personal Account through either the website or the mobile app, using one shared set of credentials across both. Once enrolled, managing checking, savings, credit cards, loans and mortgages all happens from the same dashboard rather than separate logins for each product.
Setting up access for the first time takes just a few minutes, provided the account is already open and the customer has basic identifying information on hand.
Logging Into Your BMO Personal Account
BMO bank online banking enrollment starts with an existing BMO account, since the sign-up process links a new username and password to an account already on file rather than creating one from scratch. New users typically enter an account or debit card number to verify identity before setting a username, password and security questions.
Your BMO bank personal account, once set up, covers everything from checking a balance to opening a new product entirely online. The same login works identically whether accessed through a browser or the BMO Bank mobile app.
Fixing Common Login Issues
Bmo bank login problems most often come down to a forgotten password, a locked account after too many failed attempts, or leftover confusion from the Bank of the West account migration for affected customers. The login page and app both include a self-service password reset using the security questions set up during enrollment.
For anything that doesn't resolve through the standard reset flow, calling BMO customer service at 1-888-340-2265 connects to a representative who can manually verify identity and restore account access.
BMO Bank Customer Service
BMO Bank Customer Service is reachable by phone, secure message, live chat, or in person at a branch, with the main line, 1-888-340-2265, covering most general account questions. Automated phone banking runs 24/7, while live representatives are available during extended hours on both weekdays and weekends.
For anything that benefits from a face-to-face conversation, like a complex account issue or setting up a new service, booking a branch appointment ahead of time tends to save a wait once there.
Booking a BMO Bank Appointment
Booking a BMO bank appointment can be done directly through the branch locator on bmo.com, where selecting a specific branch typically brings up available appointment times alongside its regular hours. This works well for anything that needs a banker's dedicated attention, like opening a business account or discussing a mortgage.
Appointment booking bmo bank services cover most account types, though walk-ins are still accepted at most branches for simpler transactions like a deposit or a basic account question that doesn't need a scheduled slot.
BMO Bank Hours and Saturday Availability
Does BMO bank open on Saturday? Yes, most branches keep shorter Saturday hours, typically ending around 1 p.m., though they're closed entirely on Sundays and federal holidays. Confirming a specific branch's hours through the locator is worth doing before a Saturday visit, since hours can vary by location.
BMO bank business hours during the week generally run from about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with drive-thru service available at many locations for simple transactions that don't require walking inside.
Common BMO Bank Account Questions
A handful of practical questions about opening and using a BMO Bank account come up often enough to deserve their own answers, separate from the bigger product pages. Does BMO bank use ChexSystems, does it offer a notary, and how does direct deposit actually get set up are three of the most common.
None of these have complicated answers, but they're exactly the kind of detail that's easy to overlook until it actually affects an application or a branch visit.
Does BMO Bank Use ChexSystems
Yes, BMO bank uses ChexSystems to screen new checking and savings account applicants, checking for prior unpaid overdrafts, unresolved fees, or accounts closed for cause at other banks. This is standard practice across most of the banking industry, not something unique to BMO specifically.
A negative ChexSystems record doesn't automatically disqualify an applicant, but it can factor into the decision on a new account application. Anyone concerned about their ChexSystems history can request a free copy of their own report directly from ChexSystems before applying.
Does BMO Bank Have a Notary
Yes, BMO bank offers notary services at select branches, though not every location has one on staff at all times. Calling ahead or booking an appointment specifically for notary service is worth doing, since availability depends on which staff members are working that day.
BMO bank branches that do offer notary services can typically handle common documents like affidavits, legal forms and financial agreements, though it's worth confirming the specific document type is something the branch's notary can handle before making a special trip.
Setting Up Direct Deposit with BMO
BMO bank direct deposit form requests typically come with a straightforward authorization document that an employer or third party uses to send recurring deposits into a BMO account. The form asks for the routing number, 071025661, the account number, and basic authorization details.
This bmo bank direct deposit setup can also be done directly through online banking in many cases, without needing a paper form specifically, depending on what an employer's payroll system requires. Processing typically takes one to two pay cycles before deposits start landing automatically.
BMO Bank EIN, Account Details and Currency Exchange
BMO bank ein numbers vary depending on which BMO legal entity issued a specific tax document, since the bank has operated under several different corporate names over the years, including Harris Bank and BMO Harris Bank. Anyone looking for an EIN specifically to match a 1099 or W-2 should use the number printed directly on that document rather than a generic number found online.
Beyond tax reporting, BMO Bank also offers foreign currency exchange and account services that come up in searches just as often as the bigger product questions.
Finding BMO Bank's EIN for Tax Forms
Ein for bmo bank purposes really depends on context. If a 1099 or other tax form lists BMO as the payer, the EIN printed directly on that document is the correct one to use, since different BMO legal entities, including legacy Harris Bank and BMO Harris Bank filings, carry different EINs. A commonly cited EIN associated with BMO Harris Bank N.A. is 36-2085229, though this should be verified against the actual document in question rather than assumed.
Bmo bank ein questions tied to a personal or business account, rather than a tax document, are best confirmed directly with BMO customer service, since providing the wrong EIN on a tax filing can create complications with the IRS later.
BMO Bank Account Numbers and Foreign Currency Exchange
Account number for bmo bank purposes shows up alongside the routing number on a check, in online banking, and in the mobile app, and it's unique to each individual account rather than shared across customers. It works together with the routing number, 071025661, for direct deposit, ACH transfers and most everyday transactions.
Exchange rate bmo bank services let customers order foreign currency from more than 100 countries through a branch ahead of an international trip. Rates typically include a markup built into the exchange itself, so comparing BMO's rate against a dedicated currency exchange service is worth doing before a large exchange, similar to the markup that applies on international wire transfers.
Is BMO Bank Down Right Now
BMO bank down reports typically show up on outage-tracking sites and social media before BMO officially confirms an issue, since customers usually notice login or app problems before any formal status update goes out. Isolated login issues are usually account-specific rather than a full outage, especially for former Bank of the West customers still working through post-migration account issues.
For a genuine, widespread outage, checking BMO's official social media accounts or calling customer service at 1-888-340-2265 gives the most reliable confirmation, since third-party outage trackers rely on user reports rather than official data.
What to Do During a BMO Outage
If BMO bank app or online banking access is down for a broad group of users rather than just one account, waiting it out is usually the fastest resolution, since these outages tend to get fixed within a few hours rather than persisting long term. Checking a balance by calling the automated phone banking line, which runs on separate infrastructure, sometimes still works even when the app or website is down.
For anything urgent during an outage, like needing to report fraud or freeze a card, calling customer service directly remains the most reliable option regardless of whether digital channels are working.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does BMO stand for? BMO stands for Bank of Montreal, the Canadian institution that owns BMO Bank, N.A. in the United States through BMO Financial Corp.
Is BMO Bank the same as Bank of Montreal in Canada? They're related through ownership but operate as separate institutions with separate charters, routing systems and account infrastructure. A US BMO account can't be accessed through Canadian Bank of Montreal online banking, or the other way around.
Who is the CEO of BMO Bank? Darrel Hackett serves as US CEO of BMO Financial Group and President and CEO of BMO Bank, N.A., a role he's held since 2023.
Does BMO Bank use ChexSystems? Yes, BMO checks ChexSystems when reviewing new checking and savings account applications, which is standard across most of the banking industry.
Does BMO Bank have notary services? Yes, at select branches, though not every location has a notary available at all times. Calling ahead or booking an appointment is recommended.
Is BMO Bank open on Saturdays? Most branches keep shorter Saturday hours, typically ending around 1 p.m., and are closed on Sundays and federal holidays.
What changed for former Bank of the West customers? Accounts were migrated to BMO's systems, resulting in new account numbers, new debit cards, and a required re-enrollment in BMO's online banking and mobile app.
Where do I find BMO Bank's EIN for a tax form? Use the EIN printed directly on the specific 1099 or tax document you received, since different BMO legal entities carry different EINs depending on which one issued the form.
Can I book an appointment at a BMO branch? Yes, through the branch locator on bmo.com, which shows available appointment times for a selected location alongside its regular hours.
How do I know if BMO Bank's app or website is down? Check BMO's official social media accounts or call customer service at 1-888-340-2265 for confirmation, since third-party outage trackers rely on unverified user reports.