BMO Digital Banking Reviews

Reading through some of the recent reviews, have to say that I don’t really understand what people are complaining about and think most of the criticism is a bit harsh & unwarranted. I think people need to just chill. BMO is clearly making progress with their mobile/online redesign and compared to what came before it, this is a significant improvement. The design is modern, information about accounts is presented clearly and navigation is intuitive, and all the various features (Face ID, mobile deposit, bill pay, Total Look, etc.) work just fine. I haven’t really had any problems except for brief login issues really late at night (possibly overnight updates?) which are resolved within the hour and not a big deal. Another minor complaint I have is that some of the functions (e.g. bill pay or debit card controls) display in what appears to be an overlaid browser window rather than directly/natively in BMODigitalBanking - the design of those pages is a little clunky and inconsistent with the rest of BMODigitalBanking . However, I’m sure BMO’s developers are already aware of that and will improve things in time.

I noticed that the ratings suddenly show 4.7 stars and they used to calculate at less than 2 stars. Scrolling the reviews reveals how people really feel about the poorly designed interface. Most star reviews are very low and BMO needs to finally address these customer concerns. My original review was no longer showing, so this is an update to see if it stays up.
By comparison, I really like the former app version way better. This one is clunky. It’s not nearly as intuitive. I need to keep scrolling to make sure I didn’t miss anything or to see submit/confirm buttons rather than pertinent info being on one screen view. For example, I thought I had covered the steps to pay my bill, but just hadn’t scrolled down far enough to complete the action. There are also certain functions that take more clicks to get to than necessary. I think I had to click five different things to finally get to the pay screen. Then when you click in the amount field, it does not automatically give you a number pad. Overall, it became more confusing to use. Needs some quality control work done.

The long drawn out multi year chaotic update of the BMO Harris app completed last year and good news , BMODigitalBanking is now somewhat functional. like you can check your balance and use biometrics to login. I applaud the progress. Still, BMODigitalBanking works as a sales tool and not a customer portal. Beyond checking your balance or making a simple transfer, you’ll be stuck in endless loop of being removed from BMODigitalBanking and asked to login to bmo harris on a browser site version and then being told to do it on BMODigitalBanking . BMO Harris is the only bank I have that i still have to call into the 1800 number to get things done, or actually visit their bank in person during bankers hours when i need to take time off work to do so. The dysfunction continues at the BMO Harris App. Don’t just clap and give this five stars, as a customer you are worth more than this. And every competitor BMO has realizes this and delivers more powerful and higher functioning apps.

I’m not one to leave a review but I am completely fed up with BMODigitalBanking. It crashes and has problems more then it doesn’t. I keep trying to sign into BMODigitalBanking and it will tell me constantly that “there is t an account with that information”. Now unless the bank deleted my account, there is no reason it should tell me that over and over. Not to mention is is always under “construction” and when it comes back up there are no changes, and just as many bugs as before. They only times BMODigitalBanking works well is when I get lucky one day and it’s working good. Other then that it’s a pain to use. Not only to mention there is no way to contact the bank about small questions without calling or emailing. No live chat, or anything like that. It is very inconvenient that I can’t contact someone directly about a problem, instead of having to call and waste 30 minutes for a question that could be answered in 2. Please do better and fix your app!!

I recently received financing on a vehicle loan through BMO Harris at the recommendation of the dealership. Everything was great until it came time to make a payment, it takes up to 7 days to process a payment from an outside bank. The alternative is to open an account with them, so i tried that. With the online application (after i logged in from my auto loan) it said they could not provide an account to a non-US citizen (i am and have always been a US citizen) so i entered all new information and it said it couldn’t verify my identity and to call, so i did. The rep on the line advised “it’s basically the same thing over the phone, so you should just go into a branch and save us both the time.” Terrible customer service and too many hoops to jump through. I will be refinancing my auto loan with another lender as soon as it is logical to do so and will not be recommending BMO Harris to anyone else.

Fix BMODigitalBanking! I should not have to conpletely power off my phone and reboot every time I want to use BMODigitalBanking. After the latest update BMODigitalBanking freezes on a white screen and is completely non-functioning. The only fix I have found is to do a complete power off and restart of my phone. Obviously this bank is too cheap to do any QA testing before pushing updates. Also apple is dumb for not allowing you to downgrade when the newest version of an app doesn't work, which happens often because all these developers are too cheap to actual test their apps before pushing updates. So now I’m stuck with a non-functioning bank app until the bmo decides to hire a competent dev team. Total garbage! Makes you wonder where else BMO Harris is cutting corners. You are a BANK! You have money! Stop being cheap and hire some real developers!

I had trouble logging in even though I was using the correct information and keying it in every possible way. I can login in on the website when not using BMODigitalBanking . Talked to customer service and they checked with the tech staff and said they were unaware of any problem logging in. I just paged back a few ratings and apparently it is a problem. Something is very wrong with your system of communications as well as the apps. At the time, the iPhone app worked and the iPad app did not. Now neither will let me on. I agree with the complaints that it BMODigitalBanking is not intuitive, but I addressed that in a survey so I will not repeat myself.

The problem persists. Now, In addition I frequently just get the splash screen wit no way to get to a login page.

The current version is better than the last but I can think of four items the developers need to address.

1. First and most importantly, when using bill pay, if the payee can’t receive an electronic transfer BMO issues a check. The problem is that you have to remember that there are check(s) out there that haven’t cleared. If the payee sits on the check and doesn’t cash/deposit it, the check doesn’t show up in BMODigitalBanking as “pending”. You as the payor have to remember that there are checks outstanding.

2. The newest IPad version doesn’t fill the screen of the iPad. It’s pretty much the same size as an iPhone.

3. Managing payees is clunky, and not easy to manage infrequent payees.

4. Lastly, I agree with the comments about having to scroll and do a lot of clicking. But they’re getting there.

The developer that designed this should re-evaluate their career choices. BMODigitalBanking is so dated and it fails to do what modern apps already have been doing for years.

The payment option will not be made available to users until they have a checking or savings account. If the user has a loan or a mortgage they can’t easily pay towards their balance. The easiest route is to open a checking account and schedule transfers, then schedule the payment towards the principle. This is so archaic and completely misses the mark.

Also apparently no modern APIs are utilized to connect with other banks like so many other already have. Seriously you could use a middle man like Plaid, but instead you have user manually enter in their information. The login is extremely unreliable and never seems to remember the user. Then they use biometrics like face recognition but BMODigitalBanking consistently forgets this setting.

Last but not least when I attempted to sign in to open a new account it thought I was a non-us citizen. Really a non-us citizen with a SSN number. How the heck would I open an account in the first place if I wasn’t a U.S. citizen? Pure crap.

BMODigitalBanking often forgets who you are. Tonight I had to verify a transaction I thought I paid. Could not get in. Did not recognize my password, email, ssn or work on the web. Called customer service who asked me to verify the amounts on the past several transactions. If I had those amounts with me I obviously would not need access to my account. So then, I had to answer random questions from my long credit history and was told by a supervisor they could not help me because I got one question wrong and was told she was unaware of any problems with BMODigitalBanking or website. Well, is It not obvious there is a problem since a long time customer cannot get into their account? She suggested I go to the branch tomorrow, all of which are closed on Saturday. The only thing worse than BMODigitalBanking is the customer service, STEER CLEAR!

I dont bank with bmo but i have an auto loan with them. I also like to pay my bill as soon as i can. That being said, BMODigitalBanking doesn’t allow you on certain tabs such as account info, transfers, and pay bills. All of which should be accessible by anyone trying to pay them back. Instead you have to externally transfer money from one account to the loan account and it doesn’t exactly say that your paying the loan off, just transferring money to it. Paying a loan should be under the pay bill tab and give you an option of an external pay.

The logging out and crashing come from pressing the tabs which are not available, but are the exact same tabs you would need to get to, to pay(in this case transfer).

I’m noticing a bug with recurring payments. For example: I have a credit card and checking account with BMO. I go to schedule a payment in BMODigitalBanking and fill in the to and from friends, payment amount, and payment date. There is a field that display frequency of payment, but when I navigate to these other fields (to and from), the frequency field disappears entirely. You can move on to the next screen for confirmation, and then the frequency field shows up again, but as “Does Not Repeat.” I find this bug to be the only reason not to give BMODigitalBanking 5 stars. I’ve seen other reviewers point this out and hope to see an update soon!

I have been having issues since February with using my passcode and it’s been putting in the number twice. As of two days ago, BMODigitalBanking keeps crashing, and I can’t even log in at all without it shutting down. It was working fine last week but since the new update it hasn’t been working at all. The bank, itself, is a good bank and reasonable, but BMODigitalBanking has been acting up for a while now. I thought it was my phone but everything else is working just fine.

Update: BMODigitalBanking is still crashing nothing is being done and this doesn’t get fixed, I’m am forced to close both of my accounts. I can’t even log on anymore and when I use my laptop it keeps saying I’m entering the wrong password. Please fix this or I will take my business else where

I can’t seem to deposit a check via BMODigitalBanking with the camera feature. Whenever I click, “deposit a check” the options to take both pictures of the front and back of a check come up like normal. However, once I click either option, I’m immediately sent to a blank screen that can’t exit out of without closing the whole app and having to start all over by reopening BMODigitalBanking and resigning back in. I have the more recent update for BMODigitalBanking as well so I’m not sure what to do, any advice?

Hi, I am both a customer and an employee. The new digital app is much better than the old functionality, which is great. One thing that has always been missing in the credit card functionality is the option to set up a recurring automatic minimum payment. This is very common on platforms at other institutions, and gives me comfort that I will not accidentally forget a payment and incur fees. I don’t know if this is a conscious decision to forgo this functionality, but if not, I believe it should be implemented. Thank you very much for all your work.

Dan

Despite my checking BMODigitalBanking daily for updates on my total wealth, which is considerable, BMODigitalBanking does not update on a regular basis it’s still has listed a $30,000 CD is current money even though I closed out years ago and I called many times to have it corrected. I am seriously considering taking my considerable wealth out of your bank because you are not giving me a way to monitor digitally. I ask you again to fix BMODigitalBanking

BMODigitalBanking is wonderful but it’s a bit aggravating to deal with changing your debit card settings. You have to go to a part of BMODigitalBanking that makes you feel like you’re leaving BMODigitalBanking and it’s slow to load. I wish they’d change it so it would be as easy to change settings such as limits, allowed transaction types, etc. as it is to transfer money from one account to another. 4/5 for that reason as I change my settings daily as I feel much safer when in control of my money.

..a setting to filter transactions. Every time I open BMODigitalBanking , the filter defaults to transactions in the last 2 days. Personally I need to see transactions over a longer period of time, so I keep having to set the filter to show numbers for like the last year. It is really annoying to keep doing it and I wish BMODigitalBanking would either default to the last 12 months or at least remember the setting so that I don’t have to keep setting it each time I want to view activity.

Other than this it’s a good app. Please make this simple change, developers!

I’ve been with BMO for a couple of months. I have had every problem imaginable. Every time I need something done, it’s run to the bank. I went to deposit a check, nope, have to go to the branch to get authorized for that feature. I’ve been locked out of my account way too many times. (Tells me my password is incorrect, after 3 attempts you get locked out)They don’t have 24 hour account access, so either the number they provide is false, or they don’t have 24 hour access. The message says to call at 8 am. I’m fed up already with this bank. Never had these issues with my previous bank. Changed to BMO for convenience of the bank location. What a mistake!

My wife spent 10 minutes trying to navigate, and find this information. While to help her in my own app, I cannot find the account holder profile page, where you can change/verify user name, password, account phone numbers. The contact us link does NOT list the main support number. Why??? Only gives local branch info, frequent questions, send a message. BMODigitalBanking needs a better flow to quickly find what you are looking for. I feel like I’m going in circles looking for anything. For example, in my other Bank of America app, i can find everything as a link in the MENU app. The Harris Bank seriously needs a more useful layout.

BMODigitalBanking is terrible. Nothing is intuitive and worse, BMO Harris double downed and made their website look and function exactly like their app. Tryin to find how to do things is impossible, editing bill pay basically requires you to delete bill and re-enter. Pending deposits (checks)show up as “cleared” but only partial amount of deposit is actually available so you have no idea what your account balance is.

I could go on and on but bottom line, last time I looked, their app had a 2.1 star rating and the geniuses at BMO decided that was an incredible rating so made their website mirror BMODigitalBanking . I don’t know who should be fired first, BMODigitalBanking /website developer or the room full of idiots who approved both ideas?

Edit: NOW I have been forced to agree to their mobile banking terms before proceeding to my account. But guess what? After I agree to their BS I CAN’T LOGIN. It literally does not load any further than allowing me to select their”I Agree” check boxes. Can't continue. Can’t login. So I cant access my account now. Thanks for more frustration from BMODigitalBanking. Seriously, do you not Test it before putting updates out!?

Wow. Why did they replace the functional app with this crappy version? Its almost as bad as BMO’s service in general. Why do I have to search around to find how to deposit a mobile check? Is that not one of the primary functions of a mobile bank app for most people? Guess I will be changing banks altogether.

I had the BMO app for a long time now and was always able to use the finger print option to access my account. Just recently I went on BMODigitalBanking and I got a message saying that I needed to verify my password before I could access the account using my finger print. I verified the account and now there is no finger print option anymore. Every time since then I’ve had to enter my password. I really would rather us the finger print option as it is a little more convenient. What can I do to get it back?

I tried sending a message through the BMO app and it crashed twice so I’m writing here hoping they see this review.

When transferring money it doesn’t automatically update the account balance. The funds are available but not reflected in the balance. It gets the job done.... I guess

Often times I have to submit transfers more than once.

Paying bills is laboring. It’s an app, it’s supposed to work quickly, instead I have to click 3-4 times on the same action to complete a task. The screen jumps to the bottom at which point I have to scroll up to complete a task I just clicked on.

There’s no consistency. To input dollar amounts for transfers is a different set up than importing dollar amounts for bill pay.

Love the bank. BMODigitalBanking barely gets the job done but functions enough to complete tasks, I guess I just expected BMODigitalBanking to function like any other app. Consistently and without repetitive steps. Hopefully they can fix these items sometime soon.

BMODigitalBanking is great! It makes it so easy to keep on top of my balance, transactions, and bills. And I love being able to send money to anyone in just a few clicks! I have three different banking apps and this one is by far the easiest to use.

With a company this size, BMODigitalBanking should be more user friendly. Almost every screen is so unfriendly that confirmation buttons and other pertinent information are offscreen unless you scroll multiple screens. I recently had an overdraft. Despite checking BMODigitalBanking daily, I didn’t know about it until they snail mailed me about it. Why? Because the overdraft fee was hidden in a “See More” submenu. Very convenient that it was hidden because BMO was able to charge me extra for missing the payback date. This company is horrible and their app is worse.

There is, without fail, always an error around 1-2 am and beyond until maybe early morning. So if you want to check your balance or log on, good luck during those late hours because that ain’t happening...unless BMO fixes it. I’ll straight up say that Bank of America’s app works 24/7. Don’t know what the deal is with BMO.
Aside from that the layout is pretty crappy and convoluted. It needs to be user friendly, simple and not have so many bells and whistles.

BMODigitalBanking makes it virtually impossible to advance without selecting paperless banking. My parents are elderly, and will not use computer, but will check App daily for errors. BMODigitalBanking will not let them advance to use App, without selecting paperless banking, which they cannot.

This is elderly abuse, the old should be able to retain paper statements, and use online banking- BMO Harris should be ashamed of BMODigitalBanking and the duress it places on elderly.

Switch banks if you’re older than 55, trust me, this bank is willing to trick old people to get their way.

When deposit, withdrawals, transfers happen, it does not do real time update to reflect on the mobile or online banking. Its frustrating to not know exact amount available and its confusing to find out how much is really in the accounts. Need improvement on also resetting debit pin instantly through mobile app. Realtime is key in the industry where information delivery is so important to people.

Since they released the last major update basically changed BMODigitalBanking completely I’ve had nothing but issues, slow loading, can’t log in, getting locked out, they even told me once when I was locked out that they did not have my information on file! So frustrating! The only solution the 24 hr help line gives me is to uninstall and then reinstall BMODigitalBanking , so inconvenient and frustrating!

Would you like some fees with that? The incompetence at BMO is staggering. Uncommunicative, unknowledgeable, untrustworthy. I couldn’t even get them to close the account properly. Multiple phone calls, long waits, lots of transfers, more waiting, finally you get someone who knows it all and saves the day. Then the next day you realize the person you talked to didn’t actually do anything at all and there’s no accountability.

They just hold you there, bent over the maple barrel while charging you. Any bank is better.