Step-By-Step Guide: How to Open a BMO Bank Account in Montreal (With Real Experience & FAQ)

Curious how to walk into a BMO branch on Boulevard St-Laurent or Ste-Catherine, and walk away with your new bank account setup? This article outlines the exact process – no jargon, no nonsense, just what you need to actually get it done, especially as someone who's dealt with the Montreal maze myself. Real photos, actual stumbles, and zero skipped steps.

Quick Summary

Opening a BMO (Bank of Montreal) account in Montreal is surprisingly straightforward, but regulations and details can cause hiccups—especially for newcomers, international students, or anyone who expects the process to be 100% digital. I’ll walk you through each step, explain what documents are required (including government guidelines), show my actual documents and even share brief “oops” moments. I’ll also highlight the fun differences Montreal branches have compared to other Canadian cities, plus add in some trade-certification tangents, just to compare the stress of opening a bank account to international paperwork.

My Experience: Just Walking In... or Not Quite?

First thing: I figured, like a true millennial, that I could do this all online. But after filling out BMO’s online application for a chequing account, the process ground to a halt: turns out, as a non-permanent resident, I had to visit a branch anyway. So—lesson one—if you’re a newcomer or an international student, or if your situation is anything but perfectly standard, expect to go in person.

Here’s what worked for me in Montreal:

Step 1: Deciding Which BMO Branch (and Why It Matters in Montreal)

Unlike some cities, Montreal's bilingual (Fr/En) vibe leads to extra layer of questions at some branches. For instance, at St-Catherine branch, the staff asked if I preferred English or French forms. (If your French is shaky, pick a downtown branch!) I randomly picked the Sherbrooke and St-Denis location, but you can use the BMO Locator to find the one closest to you.

Step 2: Gathering Required Documents – Don't Get Sent Home

Here’s the key: BMO must comply with Government of Canada banking regulations (Bank Act), which means you need 2 government-issued IDs, or 1 government and 1 supplementary piece (e.g. recent bill with your name).

• Primary IDs: passport, Canadian driver’s license, permanent resident card, etc. (full list here)
• Secondary: Credit card with your name, student card, Quebec carte d'assurance maladie
• Proof of address is often required for certain account types (Hydro-Québec bill works!)

I brought my passport and, thinking I was clever, a digital cell phone bill. The teller pointed out she could only accept printouts—cue a frantic Kinko’s run. If you’re short on Canadian docs, ask for “alternative verification,” but do not expect miracles.

Step 3: Making an Appointment (Why Walk-in Isn't Always Faster)

During busy months (August for students, March-April for newcomers) the wait for a walk-in can stretch to an hour or more. I learned the hard way. Booking online via BMO's appointment app or just calling the branch saved me on round two. Honestly, in Montreal, the staff are friendly but harried—all the more reason to book ahead.

Step 4: The Branch Visit – Paperwork, Signatures, and Small Chit-Chat

The process itself? Super routine. Here’s the breakdown based on my personal trial:

• You sit with a personal banker, who’ll scan your documents and enter details.
• They’ll ask:
  • Which account type do you want? Choice of chequing, savings, student accounts.
  • Any credit card (secured/unsecured) interest? Newcomers can often get a $1,000 starter card.
  • Will you be using the account for business or large offshore transfers? (This is the anti-laundering compliance bit—expect extra questions.)
• You’ll sign everything digitally (stylus/tablet). They’ll take a headshot for their records.
• Your debit card is printed on the spot, along with your account documents.

To see the exact list of questions, the FINTRAC guidelines show what banks are legally obligated to ask—sometimes they seem nosy, but it’s the law.

Step 5: Setting Up Online Banking and Apps – Where I Messed Up

This is where I hit a snag—the banker helped me register right there, sent a code to my email, and I promptly forgot to note my online ID. Recovery was possible but took a call to BMO tech support (and a 25-minute wait). If you’re not techy, ask the staff to walk you through the app basics before you leave.

Industry Perspective: Why Does Opening a Simple Account Get So Complicated?

Here’s the thing—opening a bank account at BMO feels, in some ways, like international trade compliance. As outlined by the WTO, each country adopts differing standards for verifying consumer and business authenticity (WTO “trade facilitation” docs). For banks, “verified accounts” in Canada mean strict ID control; in other countries, it might be looser. When you compare BMO’s process to, say, EU or US “light” bank onboarding, Canada is generally stricter. This isn’t just bank paranoia—it’s law.

Comparison Table – “Verified Trade” (and Bank Account) Standards Across Countries

The above standards shape your BMO experience: if your paperwork isn’t perfect, they can’t bend the rules.

Real-World Example: When Cross-Border Rules Don’t Align

A friend from France, let’s call her Julie, tried opening her BMO account using her EU student card plus her French passport (standard in France). The Montreal branch politely declined—the Bank Act demands a Canadian address proof or officially recognized photo ID. In Europe, new “verified trade” rules often let banks accept digital proof with e-signature controls (see OECD research), but not here. The banker frustratedly explained, “Our laws are stricter than Europe’s. Even if your banking app says you’re verified over there, we need the paper trail.”

Expert View: BMO Compliance Consultant on KYC Headaches

“A lot of what clients feel is ‘extra paperwork’ comes from legal requirements we have no wiggle room on,” says John Ng, a compliance officer with two decades in Canadian retail banking. “Since anti-money laundering reforms passed in 2019, we track every unusual transaction—even a big cash deposit from a family member overseas could trigger a compliance review. It’s frustrating, but not arbitrary. The fines are massive.” (OSFI: Canadian Banking AML Overview)

Closing Thoughts and Next Steps

Opening a BMO account in Montreal isn’t rocket science, but it’s not always seamless—especially if your paperwork is even a little off. If you’re moving from abroad, double-check what qualifies as “acceptable ID,” and never assume digital bills or foreign documents will be enough. Branch staff can be incredibly helpful, but can’t override the compliance checklist. And, as a fun aside, international banking standards rarely align as neatly as you’d expect—so if you’re familiar with “light touch” onboarding in other countries, Canada’s more regulated approach might leave you grumbling.

My advice? Assemble your docs, book an appointment at a bilingual-friendly branch, ask a friend who’s done it before, and always expect one hiccup along the way. Oh, and if you’re hoping to link your BMO account to international remittance services right away—expect a few extra forms and a chat.

For official requirements and a downloadable checklist, check out BMO’s account opening page or the FCAC’s consumer guide.

FAQ, Tangents, and Final Rants

• If you mess up and forget a document: ask staff to hold your slot, they’re often flexible if lines aren’t long.
• Online-only doesn’t work for all account types—especially for “newcomer” or “non-resident” accounts.
• Wiring funds from abroad? Expect a compliance call and probably a passport scan—Canada is thorough like that.
• The FINTRAC penalties for ignoring KYC (know your customer) rules are posted here. Worth a skim just to appreciate the power of a humble Hydro bill.