Chapter 08 · Banking & cards
BMO Bank N.A.: U.S. accounts for Canadians (ex-Harris)
U.S. subsidiary of Bank of Montreal since 2023, checking accounts and cards without SSN, 500+ branches.
Direct answer · 60-second summary
The 60-second version
BMO Bank N.A. is the U.S. subsidiary of Bank of Montreal, created in 2023 from the merger of BMO Harris Bank and Bank of the West. Offers checking, savings, and credit cards for Canadians, with integration into the global BMO network.
Acronyms used in this guide
- BMO — Bank of Montreal
- SSN — Social Security Number
- ITIN — Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
- OCC — Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
2023 Merger: BMO Harris becomes BMO Bank N.A.
In February 2023, BMO completed the acquisition of Bank of the West (formerly owned by BNP Paribas). Operations were progressively integrated under the global name "BMO Bank, National Association."
- More than 500 branches added in key states (California, Texas, Arizona, Florida).
- Unified banking platform (ex-BMO Harris and Bank of the West) by September 2023.
- Account continuity: former BMO Harris and Bank of the West customers maintain access.
Checking and savings accounts
BMO Bank N.A. offers accounts with no SSN requirement for Canadians:
- BMO Convenience Checking — Basic checking account, no fees if minimum balance maintained.
- BMO Everyday Checking — With debit card and CO-OP network ATM access nationwide.
- BMO Savings Account — Variable interest, no fees if $500 minimum balance maintained.
- Minimum balance (2026) — $100 to $250 depending on account (2026 increase for Convenience Checking).
BMO Bank N.A. credit cards
BMO Bank N.A. accepts applications from Canadians without SSN:
- BMO Visa Rewards Card — Foreign exchange fee 2.5% on U.S. transactions, rewards points on spending.
- BMO No Fee Visa — Zero annual fee, foreign exchange fee 2.5%.
- Application with ITIN — Accepted, no SSN required if you already have a U.S. tax ID.
Canada/US bank integration
As a Bank of Montreal subsidiary, BMO Bank N.A. offers integration with the global BMO network:
- Transfers between BMO Canada and BMO Bank N.A. accounts via BMO Digital Banking.
- Same exchange rate as BMO Corporate network for business transfers.
- Bilingual support by phone and online.
Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.
Sources and references
Public sources verified as of the last review date (IRS, FinCEN, Federal Reserve, FDIC, OCC, RBC/BMO/TD official, CFPB, CRA).
Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purpose only. Figures, rates, thresholds, timelines and rules are drawn from public sources at the date shown and may change.
For any concrete decision, consult a cross-border tax attorney, a cross-border certified accountant, or a credit counselor.