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Bank of Montreal (BMO) vs PC Financial®
A side-by-side comparison of ratings, customer experience, products, fees, and pros & cons to help you choose the right bank.
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Bank of Montreal (BMO) edges ahead on our overall rating (4.1 vs 3.8), but the right pick depends on which products and fees matter most to you.
Overview
The Bank of Montreal, known as BMO, is the oldest and one of the biggest banks in the country. With a comprehensive range of products, its network extends across both Canada and the United States. Its broad product lineup makes it a popular choice amongst those seeking full-service banking.
At BMO, account types cater to different customer needs and include those for students, seniors and newcomers to Canada. Customers can choose from low-cost banking services to more premium accounts that include additional benefits. Depending on the account type and balance maintained, a fee waiver might be available. Long-term savings rates are less competitive than digital institutions though.
BMO has plenty of credit cards ranging from no-fee options to premium rewards cards. The bank stands out for having one of the best cash back credit cards in Canada. Though BMO has a few Visa credit cards, it partners with Mastercard for its primary network. In terms of lending options, the bank tends to have many promotional rates and even a unique mortgage cash back incentive, making it one of the most comprehensive in Canada.
PC Financial offers banking services from President’s Choice Bank, which is a Schedule I, federally regulated bank in Canada. Given this setup, the banking products at PC Financial have coverage of up to $100,000 from the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). EQB, parent of EQ Bank, acquired PC Financial in July 2026. Prior to this, the bank was a subsidiary of Loblaws.
PC Financial has a smaller offering than many other Canadian banks. It has only one main account that operates as a no-monthly-fee chequing account with the ability to add on a savings feature, giving you the best of both worlds. Its interest rate applies to all balances in the savings side of the account and is quite competitive considering there is no minimum balance.
The bank also has just a few Mastercard credit cards, with no Visa or American Express options. Lines of credit and mortgages are also not available. It lacks in business banking and insurance products as well, making it a better choice for those who don’t need a full-service banking relationship.
Top chequing accounts
Top savings account
Top credit card
All products offered
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