BMO just raised its checking bonus from $400 to up to $600. Instead of one lump sum, you earn $100 a month for up to six months, as long as your direct deposits keep coming. You have until December 15, 2026 to open the account.
Offer details verified September 29, 2026. Bank promotions change often, so confirm the current terms on BMO’s site before you apply. See our Advertiser Disclosure for how we work with partners.
BMO $600 checking bonus at a glance
| Detail | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Bonus | $100 per month, up to $600 over six months |
| Eligible accounts | BMO Smart Money, Smart Advantage or Relationship Checking |
| Monthly requirement | $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits each month |
| Open between | September 9 and December 15, 2026 |
| Where it is available | AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, IL, IN, MN, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA and WI |
| Early closure fee | $50 if closed within 90 days |
How to earn the bonus
- Get the promo code. Open online through BMO’s offer page and the code is applied for you. To open in a branch or by phone, request the code from the same page first.
- Open an eligible checking account between September 9 and December 15, 2026. The primary applicant must live in one of the 14 eligible states.
- Deposit $1,000 a month. Starting the month after you open, each consecutive month with at least $1,000 in qualifying direct deposits earns $100.
- Collect monthly. Each $100 is paid about 10 days after the start of the following month, for up to six months.
Who qualifies
The offer is for new BMO personal checking clients only. You are not eligible if you have a BMO personal checking account now or closed one in the past 12 months, and you can earn only one checking bonus. Your account must be open, in good standing and have a positive balance when each bonus is paid.
Is it worth it?
If you live in an eligible state and can send $1,000 a month to BMO for six months, $600 is one of the richest checking bonuses available right now. The catch is the monthly structure: the payments are tied to consecutive months, so a missed deposit can cost you the rest of the bonus.
Tips to collect all $600
- Set up a recurring payroll direct deposit of at least $1,000 a month, with a small cushion above it.
- Check your statement at the end of every month to confirm the deposit counted.
- Keep the account open for at least 90 days to avoid the $50 early closure fee.
- If a bonus does not arrive, BMO’s terms list a number to call: 855-456-7634.
More bank bonuses
- Chase Total Checking $400 Bonus: How to Earn It Before October 14, 2026
- U.S. Bank Smartly Checking Bonus: Earn Up to $450 (Through November 10, 2026)
- PNC Virtual Wallet Bonus: Earn Up to $400 With Direct Deposit
- Citi Checking Bonus: Earn $325 With Direct Deposit (Open by October 26, 2026)
- Capital One Business Checking Bonus: Earn $500 With Promo Code SBOFFER500
- All bank sign-up bonuses
Takeaway
BMO’s checking bonus is now worth up to $600, paid $100 a month for six months of $1,000 direct deposits. If you live in one of the 14 eligible states, open the account by December 15, 2026 and keep your deposits steady to collect every payment.
