Everything You Need to Know About Opening a BMO Bank Account in Montreal
If you're living in Montreal and need to open a bank account at BMO, you've probably heard a bunch of conflicting advice — from “just pop by and it's done in 5 minutes” to horror stories of missing documents and endless wait times. Based on my own recent (sometimes frustrating) experience, this article breaks down the real, practical steps, the documents you need, pitfalls to avoid, and even some expert analysis on banking compliance. Whether you're a newcomer, student, or just switching banks, this will help you survive (and hopefully enjoy) your BMO account opening process.
Step-by-Step: How I Opened a BMO Bank Account in Downtown Montreal
Maybe you’re relocating for school or a new job. For me, after finally finding an apartment in the Plateau, I set my sights on opening a “no-nonsense” everyday account at BMO. Spoiler: Not everything in the official guide is as simple in practice.
Here’s what actually went down—and what you should expect.
One primary ID (passport, Canadian driver’s license, or Canadian permanent resident card)
OR two secondary IDs (Provincial health card, academic ID, credit card in your name, etc.)
You must have proof of address (recent utility bill, lease, or government letter addressed to you)
Now, here’s where it gets weird: some branches still require proof of address even if you show a passport and PR card. I walked in with passport and work permit – but had to go home and grab my Hydro Quebec bill. Annoying, but that was the rule in my branch.
Step 2: Booking or Walking In for an Appointment
BMO says walk-ins are fine, but my downtown branch (on Ste-Catherine) was rammed at 2pm on Friday. I ended up booking online (appointment page), got a slot for the next morning, and that saved me an hour’s waiting.
Step 3: Filling Out Application Forms (with Bank Staff)
At the bank, the advisor asked for my IDs, ran through a stack of forms, and double-checked my proof of address. They asked basics: occupation, residency status, sources of income (nothing too invasive, just checkboxes).
Real-life hiccup: Since I’d moved within Montreal, my ID address didn’t match my lease. The staff crossed it off as "recently relocated" and attached my lease as supporting evidence. So don’t panic if addresses misalign, as long as you have a logical reason and supporting docs.
Step 4: Choosing the Right Account
Don’t let anyone upsell you. There are different checking accounts—full-feature, student, newcomer, etc.—but be ready with your account type and any promos (they often have welcome cash offers visible on their Reddit thread).
I chose the Performance Chequing. The advisor actually whispered that if my balance stayed above $4,000, monthly fees were waived—helpful tip!
Step 5: Finalizing, Digital Access, and Card Pickup
After a barrage of signatures (some digital, some scribbling on a touchscreen), I received my debit card on the spot—no waiting days for mail. They set me up with online banking (the rep pretty much did this step for me) and gave me printouts of the main agreements.
In summary, the whole process took 40 minutes (including ID confusion) but could’ve been 25 if I had all my docs aligned from the start.
Real Screenshots & Snapshots from My Process
I know, an article without evidence is just hearsay, so:
Appointment confirmation (redacted, but the email subject is usually “[Your Name]’s Appointment with BMO” from customer.service@bmo.com)
Reddit user “thebambamk” outlined a very similar document experience, and recommended shopping branches if you hit a roadblock on ID—they found the BMO in Westmount more flexible on proof of address.
Pro tip: Have digital copies of all supporting documents on your phone or USB—one Redditor was allowed to email a missing Hydro bill to the branch email for on-the-spot printing.
Banking Regulations and Compliance: The “Why” Behind These Rules
It’s not just bureaucracy for fun. Banks like BMO are heavily regulated under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) (Canadian Federal Law), and have to follow guidance set by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). They’re obligated to check for:
Identity verification, to prevent fake/duplicate accounts
Proof of legal residency, to comply with immigration and tax laws
Customer risk scoring, as part of their anti-fraud policy
As industry expert Rania El-Alloul, a Montreal banking compliance officer, put it: “Every BMO advisor is trained to follow strict KYC (‘Know Your Customer’) protocols. It’s less about distrusting clients, more about not risking $20,000 fines for any slip-up.” (source: In-person interview, 2023)
Appendix: “Verified Trade” Standards – Comparing Canada, US, and EU
Account opening involves not just national law but international compliance, especially if you’re coming from overseas. Here’s a quick table showing how “verified trade” (or official banking client verification) varies across major regions:
What’s the takeaway? Even if two countries say “bring government ID”, the type, validity, and how strictly it’s checked can differ a lot.
Case Study: Miscommunication with Dual Citizenship (Canada/France) - A Mini Soap Opera
A friend of mine (let’s call her Amélie) actually ran into trouble because she brought only her French passport and Carte Consulaire, assuming her “Francophone” privilege would smooth things over at a Plateau branch. Instead, the staff still required proof of Canadian status or valid Quebec address, and a neighbor chimed in, “Quebec banks are sticklers, they're not Parisian cafés!” She eventually had to bring her work contract and Canadian SIN. Lesson: even if you have perfectly respectable foreign documentation, Canadian banks are not allowed to cut corners.
“If you hit a snag at one branch, try another before getting discouraged. Some BMO locations—especially ones near universities—deal with newcomers every day and tend to be more flexible with documentation proofs. Don't be afraid to ask directly for the 'newcomer' package or speak to the branch manager.”
Final Thoughts: Expect Surprises, But You’ll Survive
Bottom line: While BMO makes account opening pretty accessible for everyday Montrealers, in practice you’ll need to bring more paperwork than you expect, and some staff may seem rigid (they’re just following the law, not out to get you!). My own process went sideways due to an old address and some confusion over my student status, but persistence and having a backup document saved the day.
If in doubt, call ahead—or even better, email the branch and ask for their document list. Worst case, if you run into a brick wall, don’t hesitate to walk down the street to the next BMO (or even another bank, but that’s a whole other tale...).
Next steps:
Gather 2-3 solid forms of ID, including Canadian-issued if possible.
Call ahead or book an appointment to dodge walk-in lines.
If rejected, politely ask for specifics, then try another branch—there’s lots in Montreal!
Everyone’s story is a little different, but if you come armed with patience and documentation, you’ll have your BMO account in Montreal before you know it.