BMO Review: APYs, Fees & Who It's Best For in 2026

Following the BMO Harris rebrand to simply 'BMO,' the bank has continued expanding its U.S. footprint after acquiring Bank of the West. In 2026 BMO is one of the few super-regional banks with branches stretching from Chicago to California, and its relationship CDs remain a quiet bright spot for existing customers.

2026 snapshot

• **Our rating:** 4.0 / 5
• **Best for:** Midwest banking and relationship CDs
• **FDIC insured:** Yes, up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category

Products and features

Smart Advantage Checking

No monthly maintenance fee — a rare feature in this size of bank.

Relationship Money Market

Tiered APY that increases when paired with a BMO checking account.

Relationship CDs

Promotional rates substantially higher than the standard CD rack, available to customers with a linked checking account.

What we like

• Broad branch coverage across the Midwest and West
• Smart Advantage Checking has no monthly fee
• Relationship CDs are genuinely competitive

Where it falls short

• Standard (non-relationship) CD and savings rates are weak
• App is functional but lags the top fintechs

Bottom line

BMO is best for customers who'll consolidate checking and CDs to unlock the relationship pricing. Online-only savers will find better APYs elsewhere.

> Rates and product terms shown reflect publicly available information at the time of our 2026 review and can change at any time. Always confirm current APYs and fees directly with the bank before opening an account.

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