Bank of Montreal Account Number: Definition, Format & Where to Find It
What Is a Bank of Montreal Account Number?
A Bank of Montreal account number is a 7-digit number that uniquely identifies your personal chequing or savings account at BMO. Think of it as the specific label assigned to your account rather than to your branch or the bank itself.
That 7-digit number is just one part of a three-piece system you'll need whenever you set up a financial transaction in Canada. The other two pieces are BMO's 5-digit transit number, which identifies the specific branch where your account was opened, and the 3-digit institution number. BMO's institution number is 001 and remains the same for every branch across Canada, no matter where your account is held. According to Wise's guide to Canadian bank codes and transit numbers, these three numbers work together to route funds accurately through Canada's payment systems.
The account number alone won't process a payment. Any transaction that relies on Canadian banking rails, such as direct deposit, pre-authorized debits, or electronic funds transfers, requires all three numbers in combination: transit, institution, and account. This is true whether you're receiving a payroll deposit, claiming a government benefit, or authorizing a recurring debit. For example, when you set up pre-authorization for a health insurance premium, your insurer will ask for all three pieces of banking information, not just the account number.
BMO Account Number Format, Related Numbers & Where to Find Yours
The 7-Digit Account Number
BMO account numbers are always 7 digits long. This number is specific to your individual account, meaning two people at the same BMO branch will have different account numbers. The 7-digit account number doesn't change when you move provinces or switch branches, but your transit number may, since that 5-digit code is tied to the branch where the account was originally opened.
Understanding the Full Set of Numbers
When you need to share your banking details for a payment form, you're typically working with three distinct identifiers:
- Transit number (5 digits): Identifies the BMO branch where your account was opened. It varies by location.
- Institution number (3 digits): Always 001 for BMO. This code identifies Bank of Montreal as the financial institution across all of Canada.
- Account number (7 digits): Identifies your specific account within the bank and branch.
Some forms ask for a combined 12-digit account number. In that case, you'd typically string together your 5-digit transit number, the 3-digit institution number (001), and your 7-digit account number, though you should always follow the exact digit order specified by whoever is requesting the information. A 13-digit format is also used in certain electronic funds transfer (EFT) contexts, usually constructed as the 3-digit institution number first, then the 5-digit transit number, and finally the 7-digit account number. Padding zeros may be added depending on the payment system.
Canada also uses a 9-digit routing number for electronic funds transfers. According to Wise, this routing number is built as a leading zero, followed by the 3-digit institution number, followed by the 5-digit transit number (formatted as 0-001-XXXXX). It's worth being clear that a routing number is not the same as your account number. The routing number directs funds to the right bank and branch; your account number tells the system which specific account to credit or debit once the funds arrive.
For international wire transfers, BMO may also require a SWIFT code. BMO's SWIFT code is BOFMCAM2, and you'd provide it alongside your transit, institution, and account numbers. A Reddit thread in r/PersonalFinanceCanada highlights this exact situation, with users confirming that incoming international wires to BMO accounts need the SWIFT code in addition to the standard Canadian banking details.
Where to Find Your BMO Account Number
On a BMO cheque: The magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line printed along the bottom of a cheque is the most reliable place to locate all three numbers. Reading left to right, you'll see the cheque number, then the 5-digit transit number, then the 3-digit institution number (001), and finally the 7-digit account number, each separated by special symbols. Supplying a void cheque to a payroll department or insurance provider gives them everything they need at once.
In BMO Online Banking: Log in and go to your account dashboard. Your account number appears next to the account name. For the full set of transit, institution, and account details, navigate to your account settings. BMO's digital banking FAQs walk through how to locate account information within the online platform.
In the BMO Mobile App: Tap on your account from the home screen, then select "Account Details." This view displays your transit number, institution number, and account number all in one place.
Why These Numbers Matter for Insurance and Benefits
Direct deposit setup for payroll, CRA payments, and government benefits all require your transit, institution, and account numbers together. The same applies when you're authorizing pre-authorized debits for private health or dental insurance premiums.
If you're comparing individual health insurance quotes or researching how much health insurance costs, you'll eventually reach an application step that asks for banking details to set up premium payments. Having your void cheque or your three-part banking information ready speeds up that process considerably. A health and dental insurance broker can also guide you through what's needed at each step.
When you're comparing health insurance quotes using our tips, it helps to have your banking details on hand so you can move from quote to enrollment without delays. This is equally important if you're managing coordination of benefits across multiple plans, dealing with a denied health insurance claim, or planning for what happens to your benefits after retirement. In each of these scenarios, having accurate account information on file helps avoid processing delays.
It's also relevant if you're relying on OHIP coverage as your provincial baseline and want to top up with private coverage. Many Canadians pair provincial health plans with private insurance, and setting up the premium payments for that private coverage requires the same transit, institution, and account number combination. For a broader view of government health programs, healthquotes.ca's government resources page is a useful reference.
Not all Canadian bank account numbers follow BMO's 7-digit format. Other major institutions may use account numbers ranging from 7 to 12 digits, so the digit count you need to enter on a form depends on which bank holds your account.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bank of Montreal Account Numbers
Q: How many digits is a Bank of Montreal account number?
A Bank of Montreal account number is 7 digits long. This 7-digit number identifies your specific chequing or savings account at BMO. It's separate from your 5-digit transit number and BMO's 3-digit institution number, which is always 001. You can confirm these details through BMO's online banking FAQs or by reviewing the MICR line on a BMO cheque.
Q: How do I find my 12-digit bank account number?
BMO doesn't issue a standalone 12-digit account number, but many forms ask for a combined string. To build it, take your 5-digit transit number, add the 3-digit institution number (001), then append your 7-digit account number. Always follow the exact order specified by the requesting form or institution. You'll find all three components on the MICR line of a BMO cheque, in BMO Online Banking, or in the BMO Mobile App under "Account Details."
Q: Are all Canadian bank account numbers 7 digits?
No, not all Canadian bank account numbers are 7 digits. BMO uses 7-digit account numbers as standard, but other institutions use different lengths. The digit count varies by financial institution, so you should always verify the format with your specific bank before completing a payment form. This is especially relevant when you're setting up recurring payments, such as those described in our FAQ about prescription drug coverage in Canada, where insurers and pharmacies may require specific banking information.
Q: What is the 13-digit bank account number?
A 13-digit bank account number is a combined identifier used in certain EFT contexts. It's typically constructed by placing the 3-digit institution number first, followed by the 5-digit transit number, and then the 7-digit account number (3 + 5 + 7 = 15 digits, though some payment systems use padding or abbreviation to reach 13 digits). For BMO, the sequence starts with 001. If you're using a platform to compare health insurance options and need to enter this format for premium payments, always confirm the exact structure with the party requesting it.
Ready to set up private health or dental coverage and want to know what information you'll need at enrollment? Start your free quote at HealthQuotes.ca and we'll walk you through every step, including how to submit your banking details securely.