Earn $400 after opening eligible BMO checking and meeting direct deposit requirements.
This is a classic checking-bonus execution page: the upside is meaningful if qualifying direct deposit is easy for you and the bonus still clears fees. The model lands at about $400 net, so the decision is really about operational fit, not just the headline.
PersonalCheckingDirect deposit requiredNo state restriction listedHigh friction
Gross bonus
$400
Headline payout before any modeled fee drag.
Funding threshold
$4,000
$4,000+ qualifying direct deposit
Time to clear
~3 months
A standard multi-month offer window with roughly 100 days of follow-through.
Friction
High friction
Higher cash commitment, longer hold periods, or several moving parts make this a more hands-on execution play.
Direct deposit
$4,000+ DD
Qualifying payroll or ACH
Opening deposit
No min
No opening minimum listed
Hold period
100 days
Keep open through payout
Fee
No fee
No recurring fee modeled
Bonus ROI
10.0%
Bonus vs required funding
Execution Summary
What actually decides this offer
Primary requirement
Route $4,000+ in qualifying direct deposit.
Primary constraint
Keep the account open for ~3 months.
Execution model
Works best if you can route qualifying direct deposit and stay on top of the account for ~3 months.
Cash profile: Low cash drag. Hold period: 100 days.
Checklist
How to complete it cleanly
4 steps
1
At opening
Open the checking account
Save the confirmation email and a copy of the live offer terms before you begin.
2
Qualifying direct deposit of at least $4,000
Keep account open for 100 days
Open a new BMO Smart Advantage Checking, Smart Money Checking, or Relationship Checking account with the promo code.
Receive qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $4,000 within 90 days.
Keep the account in good standing through payout.
During qualification window
Route qualifying direct deposit
Send at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits and verify the bank counts them correctly.
3
During qualification window
Complete the activity requirement
Keep the account in good standing through payout.
4
Through day 100
Keep the account open until the bonus is safe
Plan on about ~3 months before you consider the offer done.
Good Fit If
Who should actually do this
You can route at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposit without disrupting your main bank setup.
You prefer offers that do not require a meaningful opening balance.
You can keep another checking account open for about ~3 months without needing a quick exit.
Think Twice If
Where this can get annoying
Your current direct deposit setup makes qualifying direct deposit hard to move or verify.
You want a near-hands-off offer with only one step to track.
Watch For
Failure points before you start
The offer depends on qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $4,000.
Do not treat the account as finished until roughly day 100; early closure can wipe out the payout.
BMO's official personal checking promo page advertised the $400 offer through May 4, 2026 when re-verified on March 29, 2026.
Related Offers
Other bank bonuses in the same neighborhood
Bank of America
Advantage Banking Checking Bonus
Higher modeled net value with a comparable qualification profile.
If this offer is the one you want to anchor around, send it straight into the planner and let it decide whether this bank bonus should be first, deferred, or left out.
