checking
BMO Up to $600
Smart Advantage, Smart Money, or Relationship Checking
BMO pays $100 a month, up to $600, when a new checking account in an eligible state receives $1,000 of qualifying direct deposits that month.
Effective value after fees
$600
Assumes Smart Advantage Checking, which has a $0 monthly maintenance fee, and that you qualify in all 6 months ($100 × 6). Each missed month simply pays $0 for that month.
Exact requirements
- Open between September 9, 2026 and December 15, 2026 with the promo code. Online applications on the last day must be submitted and approved before 9:00 p.m. Central.
- Primary applicant must live in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wisconsin.
- Not for existing BMO personal checking clients or anyone who closed a BMO personal checking account in the past 12 months.
- Earn $100 each consecutive month, from the month after opening, that $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits post. Missing a month does not disqualify later months. Maximum six payments.
- Qualifying deposits are salary, pension, Social Security, or similar government benefits. Zelle, Venmo, wires, ATM deposits, and transfers do not count.
- Bonus
- Up to $600
- Direct deposit
- $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits in a calendar month, for up to 6 months, starting the month after you open. Each qualifying month pays $100.
- Deposit
- $25 minimum opening deposit.
- Keep the account open
- The account must be open, in good standing, above a zero balance, and still one of the three eligible checking types when each $100 is paid. A single early-closure penalty is not stated.
- When the bonus posts
- About 10 days after the beginning of the month that follows a qualifying month.
- Expiration
- Open between September 9, 2026 and December 15, 2026.
- Monthly fee
- Smart Advantage $0. Smart Money $5 if you are 25 or older, $0 if you are under 25. Relationship Checking $25 unless waived.
- How to waive it
- Use Smart Advantage if you want the $0 fee. Relationship Checking's waiver is described as relationship packages on BMO's product disclosure, not fully priced on this offer page.
- Early closure
- Not stated. A zero balance may cause the account to be closed, and a closed account does not get that month's bonus.
- Credit pull or ChexSystems
- not stated
- Where it is offered
- 14 states. Primary applicant must reside in one of these states at application. Proof of address may be required.
- Last verified
- November 15, 2026
Fine print
One checking bonus per client. Reported to the IRS. Online, the promo code is applied for you. Verified November 15, 2026.
Source checked November 15, 2026: https://www.bmo.com/en-us/main/personal/checking-accounts/digital-offer/