BMO $600 checking bonus requirements (14 states)
BMO's checking offer, read on 6 October 2026, pays $100 a month for up to six months, up to $600, when a new personal checking client in an eligible state opens Smart Money, Smart Advantage or Relationship Checking between September 9 and December 15, 2026 with the promo code and posts $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits each month. Existing BMO personal checking clients and 12-month closures are excluded.
| Bonus | Up to $600 ($100 per month for up to 6 months) |
|---|---|
| Open by | September 9, 2026 through December 15, 2026 with promo code |
| Accounts | BMO Smart Money Checking, Smart Advantage Checking or Relationship Checking |
| States | AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, IL, IN, MN, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WI (primary applicant) |
| Deposit test | $1,000 or more qualifying direct deposits each bonus month |
| Window | Up to 6 consecutive months; tracking starts the month after opening |
| Counts | Regular income from an employer or similar third party (salary, paycheck, pension and similar) |
| Excluded | Existing BMO personal checking clients (including joint) and closures within 12 months |
| Payout | About 10 days after the beginning of the next month for each qualifying month |
In this article
This offer is not nationwide. The primary applicant (first person listed on the account) must reside in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington or Wisconsin at the time of application. 1 Open on BMO's official digital offer page. How this offer compares: bank bonus statistics.
Who the offer is for
Open a new BMO Smart Money Checking, BMO Smart Advantage Checking or BMO Relationship Checking account between September 9, 2026 and December 15, 2026 and use the promo code. 1 Online, choose OPEN IN MINUTES and BMO applies the promo code. 1 In a financial center or by phone, request the promo code from the offer page first. 1 Accounts opened online on December 15, 2026 must be approved before 9 PM CT. 1 In person, BMO must receive your opening deposit and all signed account opening documents by December 15, 2026. 1 You are not eligible if you are an existing BMO personal checking client (including joint owners) or if you closed a BMO personal checking account within the past 12 months. 1
What you must deposit each month
Beginning the month following account opening, earn a $100 cash bonus each consecutive month you have a cumulative total of $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits post to your account. 1 Your checking account is eligible for up to six consecutive cash bonuses. 1 Tracking begins the first calendar day of the month following account opening. 1 Qualifying direct deposits are deposits of regular income from an employer or similar third party, such as your salary, paycheck or pension. 1 BMO may request a pay stub or statement of earnings. 1 What counts as a direct deposit compares how banks word this line.
When BMO pays
Each month you meet the requirements, a $100 cash bonus is paid to your account approximately 10 days after the beginning of the next month. 1 Six months at $100 is $600. 1 Keep the account open through each payout. BMO may change or end the offer.
Common questions
Which states qualify for the BMO $600 bonus?
The primary applicant must reside in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington or Wisconsin at application.
How does the BMO $100 per month bonus work?
Beginning the month after you open, each consecutive month you post a cumulative $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits, BMO pays a $100 cash bonus, for up to six months ($600). Tracking starts on the first calendar day of the month following account opening.
Can existing BMO customers get this bonus?
No. The offer excludes existing BMO personal checking clients, including joint owners, and people who closed a BMO personal checking account within the past 12 months.
When does each $100 post?
BMO says each month you meet the requirements, a $100 cash bonus is paid to your account approximately 10 days after the beginning of the next month.
Sources
CardLab tracks the cards you hold and the bonuses you are chasing, with every rate read from the issuer's own page.