No-fee checking from a branch-network bank — ~500 Midwest, Southeast, and West locations.
Get started at BMO Bank N.A. → Pre-qualify (where available) with a soft credit pull — no score impact.
ClearValue Rating: 4 / 5 — our editorial assessment (how we rate)
Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.
Consumers who want a $0-fee checking account at a branch-network bank with in-person access in BMO's coverage footprint.
BMO Bank Smart Money Checking — No-fee checking from a branch-network bank — ~500 Midwest, Southeast, and West locations. Best for: Consumers who want a $0-fee checking account at a branch-network bank with in-person access in BMO's coverage footprint.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.
BMO Bank N.A. (formerly BMO Harris Bank) is a legitimate, FDIC-insured bank and a subsidiary of Bank of Montreal — one of North America's 10 largest financial institutions by assets, publicly traded on the NYSE and Toronto Stock Exchange (ticker: BMO). It offers standard personal checking, savings, mortgage, auto loan, and investment products. For consumers in BMO's branch footprint (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Arizona, Missouri, and other Midwest/West markets), it is a credible traditional banking option.
BMO Bank's Smart Money Checking account carries no monthly maintenance fee, as published on the bmo.com US personal banking page. Other potential fees — overdraft fees, wire transfer fees, out-of-network ATM fees — vary and are disclosed in the account's fee schedule, which you should review at bmo.com before opening. Verify current fee structure directly with BMO Bank, as fee schedules can change.
Yes. BMO Bank N.A. is an FDIC-insured institution. Deposits are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category under standard FDIC coverage rules. You can verify BMO Bank N.A.'s FDIC membership status at fdic.gov. BMO Bank N.A. is the rebranded successor to BMO Harris Bank N.A. — the FDIC charter continued through the 2023 rebrand.
ClearValue Lending is a financial platform, not a bank. This review is for informational purposes. We may receive compensation if you click through and open an account. Verify current account terms, fees, and branch locations at bmo.com before opening.
How we rate
Every pick gets a 1–5 ClearValue Rating computed from four weighted factors: Editorial confidence (30%), Cost (25%), Value (25%), and Accessibility (20%).
Scored consistently across every product and independent of any compensation. Full methodology →
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