Every BMO account is identified in the Canadian payments system by three numbers: a transit number (your specific branch), an institution number (BMO’s fixed identifier), and an account number. BMO’s institution number is 001 — the oldest in the Canadian banking system, assigned when BMO was chartered in 1817 as Canada’s first bank.
The transit number is what varies: it is a 5-digit number identifying the specific branch where your account was originally opened. When a direct deposit or pre-authorized debit form asks for your “routing number,” it is asking for the transit number and institution number combined — written as XXXXX-001 in the standard Canadian format.
BMO Routing Number at a Glance
| Component | Value |
|---|---|
| Institution number | 001 |
| Transit number | Varies by branch (5 digits) |
| Standard routing format | XXXXX-001 |
| 9-digit EFT format | 0 + 001 + XXXXX |
| SWIFT code | BOFMCAM2 |
How to Find Your BMO Transit Number
Your specific transit number — not a generic branch number from a table — is what you need for direct deposits and pre-authorized payments. The most reliable sources are BMO Online Banking and the BMO app.
Method 1: BMO Online Banking
- Log in at bmo.com
- Click My Accounts
- Select the account you need routing information for
- Click Account Details
- Your transit number, institution number (001), and account number are displayed
- Click Direct Deposit Form to download a PDF you can submit directly to an employer or government agency
Method 2: BMO Mobile App
- Open the BMO app and log in
- Tap on the account
- Tap Account Details or the info icon
- Your transit number, institution number (001), and account number appear
- You can save or share a digital direct deposit form from this screen
Method 3: A Cheque
The three numbers printed at the bottom of a BMO cheque:
| Position | Number | Digits |
|---|---|---|
| First | Transit number | 5 |
| Second | Institution number (001) | 3 |
| Third | Account number | 7–12 |
Method 4: In-Branch
Visit any BMO branch with government-issued photo ID. A teller can print a void cheque or direct deposit form on the spot.
Transit Numbers for Major BMO Branches
Always verify your own transit number through BMO Online Banking before submitting any direct deposit or pre-authorized payment form. Branch transit numbers can change when branches merge or relocate.
Ontario
| Branch | Transit Number | Routing Number |
|---|---|---|
| First Canadian Place, Toronto | 00012 | 00012-001 |
| Yonge & Bloor, Toronto | 02342 | 02342-001 |
| Bayview Village, Toronto | 02772 | 02772-001 |
| Sparks St, Ottawa | 07582 | 07582-001 |
| Hamilton, James St S | 04822 | 04822-001 |
| London, Dundas St | 05782 | 05782-001 |
| Mississauga, Dundas St W | 02812 | 02812-001 |
| Waterloo, King St | 10252 | 10252-001 |
British Columbia
| Branch | Transit Number | Routing Number |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver, Burrard St | 01140 | 01140-001 |
| Surrey, 152nd St | 01400 | 01400-001 |
| Victoria, Douglas St | 00930 | 00930-001 |
| Kelowna, Harvey Ave | 01050 | 01050-001 |
Alberta
| Branch | Transit Number | Routing Number |
|---|---|---|
| Calgary, 7th Ave SW | 03700 | 03700-001 |
| Edmonton, Jasper Ave | 03360 | 03360-001 |
| Lethbridge, 3rd Ave S | 04400 | 04400-001 |
Quebec
| Branch | Transit Number | Routing Number |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal, St. Jacques St (Main) | 00011 | 00011-001 |
| Montreal, Ste-Catherine | 01081 | 01081-001 |
| Quebec City, Laurier Blvd | 02701 | 02701-001 |
Prairies
| Branch | Transit Number | Routing Number |
|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg, Portage Ave | 33480 | 33480-001 |
| Saskatoon, 2nd Ave S | 38280 | 38280-001 |
| Regina, Scarth St | 37960 | 37960-001 |
Atlantic Canada
| Branch | Transit Number | Routing Number |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax, Duke St | 40290 | 40290-001 |
| Moncton, Main St | 41520 | 41520-001 |
| St. John’s, Water St | 42360 | 42360-001 |
What Your Routing Number Is Used For
| Purpose | What You Need | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll direct deposit | Transit (5) + 001 + account | Void cheque or direct deposit form |
| CRA tax refund | Transit (5) + 001 + account | Enter in My CRA Account |
| CPP / OAS / EI | Transit (5) + 001 + account | My Service Canada Account |
| Pre-authorized payments | Transit (5) + 001 + account | PAD agreement form |
| International wire (incoming) | SWIFT: BOFMCAM2 + transit + account | Full details to sender |
| BMO InvestorLine link | InvestorLine has separate account numbers | Check BMO InvestorLine platform |
| Interac e-Transfer | Not needed | Uses email or phone number |
The 9-Digit EFT Routing Number
Some payroll systems — particularly American-built platforms or cross-border HR software — ask for a single 9-digit routing number instead of separate transit and institution fields.
Formula: 0 + institution number (001) + transit number (5 digits) = 9 digits
Example: Transit 00012 → 0 + 001 + 00012 = 000100012
Note: Some payroll systems have difficulty with leading-zero institution numbers like 001. If the system rejects your entry, try entering the institution number without the leading zeros (i.e., “1” instead of “001”). If problems persist, contact your payroll department — this is a known compatibility issue with some US-built systems, not an error in BMO’s institution number.
BMO SWIFT Code for International Wires
International wire transfers to a BMO account require a SWIFT/BIC code rather than a Canadian routing number.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| SWIFT/BIC code | BOFMCAM2 |
| Bank name | Bank of Montreal |
| City | Montreal |
| Country | Canada |
| Bank address | 129 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montreal, QC H2Y 1L6 |
When someone outside Canada is sending money to your BMO account, provide all five elements: SWIFT code (BOFMCAM2), your full legal name as it appears on the account, your transit number, your account number, and the bank address. Missing any element can delay or return the wire.
Note on US transfers: BMO operates BMO Harris Bank in the United States as a separate US banking entity. US-side BMO Harris accounts use a US ABA routing number, not the Canadian 001 institution number. If you are transferring between a Canadian BMO account and a US BMO Harris account, use the SWIFT code for the Canadian leg and the ABA routing number for the US leg.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Form rejects “001” as institution number | Try entering “1” without leading zeros; contact payroll if problem persists |
| Deposit not arriving | Verify transit number in BMO Online Banking; confirm account is active |
| BMO InvestorLine routing | Investment accounts use separate account numbers; check the InvestorLine platform |
| International wire delayed | Confirm SWIFT code is BOFMCAM2; ensure transit + account number provided |
| US transfer to BMO Harris | BMO Harris uses a US ABA routing number — obtain from BMO Harris directly |