BMO Transit Number — Canada's Oldest Bank, Institution 001 (2025)

About BMO Bank of Montreal

BMO's institution number 001 isn't a coincidence — it reflects the fact that Bank of Montreal, founded in 1817, was the first bank officially chartered in what would become Canada. When Payments Canada (then the Canadian Bankers' Association) assigned institution numbers, BMO got 001 as the founding institution.

BMO is the only major Canadian bank to have maintained its headquarters in Montreal throughout its 200+ year history, though its largest market has long been Ontario and Western Canada. In 2023, BMO completed the acquisition of Bank of the West in the United States, significantly expanding its US footprint under the BMO Harris Bank brand. Canadian accounts use institution 001; US BMO Harris accounts use completely separate ABA routing numbers.

Did you know? BMO is the world's fourth oldest bank still operating under its original name — founded in 1817, it predates Canada itself by 50 years.

Institution Number & Quick Reference

Institution Number

001

Fixed for all BMO branches

SWIFT Code

BOFMCAM2

For international wires

Founded

1817

Montreal, Quebec

Assets (CAD)

$1.28T

As of latest report

BMO Transit Numbers by City

BMO operates over 900 branches in Canada. Note that BMO also operates BMO Harris Bank in the United States (a separate entity with US ABA routing numbers). Canadian accounts always use institution 001.

City / Branch Area	Transit # (5-digit)	Institution #	EFT Format	MICR Cheque Format
Toronto — First Canadian PlaceON	00011	001	00100011	000011001
Toronto — Yonge & EglintonON	10692	001	00110692	010692001
Vancouver — West GeorgiaBC	00860	001	00100860	000860001
Calgary — 8th Ave SWAB	00600	001	00100600	000600001
Edmonton — Jasper AveAB	07060	001	00107060	007060001
Montreal — Place d'Armes (original HQ)QC	00002	001	00100002	000002001
Ottawa — Sparks StON	01762	001	00101762	001762001
Winnipeg — Main StMB	05480	001	00105480	005480001
Halifax — Barrington StNS	08360	001	00108360	008360001
Quebec City — Grande AlléeQC	01522	001	00101522	001522001

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing BMO with BMO Harris Bank US routing numbers — BMO Harris Bank in the US uses 9-digit ABA routing numbers, not Canadian transit codes. Canadian accounts use institution 001 only.
Using the institution number 001 as a complete routing code — Institution 001 identifies BMO, but you also need your 5-digit branch transit number for EFT transactions.

How to Find Your BMO Transit Number

Void Cheque

The 5-digit transit number appears in the MICR line at the bottom of your cheque.

Online Banking

Mobile App

Tap your account → View direct deposit form — downloadable as a PDF void cheque.

Call the Bank

Customer service can confirm your branch transit number using your account number.

⚠️ Important: Always provide the transit number for your specific branch, not a generic number. Each BMO branch has its own 5-digit transit code.

Frequently Asked Questions — BMO

Why is BMO's institution number 001?

BMO was assigned institution number 001 because it was the first bank established in Canada (founded 1817, chartered 1822). When the Canadian Bankers' Association created the institution numbering system, Bank of Montreal received the first number. This 001 designation has been maintained through all subsequent banking regulation changes.

How do I find my BMO branch transit number?

Log into BMO Online Banking, navigate to your chequing account, and select 'Set up direct deposit.' BMO provides a PDF with your pre-filled transit number (5 digits), institution number (001), and account number. The BMO app also provides this under 'Account Details.'

Does BMO use different transit numbers for Quebec accounts vs English Canada?

No — the institution number (001) is the same across Canada, but transit numbers are branch-specific regardless of province. A Montreal BMO branch and a Vancouver BMO branch both use institution 001 but have different 5-digit transit codes.

What is BMO's SWIFT code for receiving international transfers?

BMO's SWIFT/BIC code is BOFMCAM2. For receiving international wires, provide this SWIFT code along with your account number and branch address. BMO charges a receiving fee for international wires — the current fee is typically $15 CAD but verify with BMO directly.

I have both a BMO Canada account and a BMO Harris US account. Are they linked?

They are not linked in terms of routing or direct deposit setup — they operate on separate systems. Your Canadian BMO account uses institution 001 with a Canadian branch transit. Your US BMO Harris account uses a US ABA routing number. Transfers between the two are treated as international transactions.

Other Canadian Banks

BMO Transit Number — Institution 001 (Canada's First Bank)