How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at BMO
Covers 8 deposit, 5 retirement, 1 investment, and 2 lending accounts — beneficiaries can be managed online
Brand change
BMO Harris Bank N.A. rebranded to BMO Bank N.A., with the U.S. legal-entity name change effective September 3, 2023 (the simplified "BMO" branding was announced in September 2022), retiring the 140-year-old "Harris" name. Same legal entity, same account numbers, debit cards, online logins, and customer service numbers -- a brand update, not a merger. The rebrand followed BMO's February 1, 2023 acquisition of Bank of the West. Effective September 2023.
The procedures below reflect BMO's accounts. Account servicing may transfer as the change takes effect.
Customer Service
BMO Bank N.A., P.O. Box 94033, Palatine, IL 60094-4033
BMO Wealth Management - Trusts & Estates
Death Claims
BMO Bank N.A., P.O. Box 94033, Palatine, IL 60094-4033
There are two ways to keep your BMO accounts out of probate: adding beneficiary designations and retitling eligible accounts into a revocable living trust. Which approach works best depends on the account type and your overall estate plan.
With 16 product types, BMO offers a range of transfer options. Some accounts support Payable on Death (POD) designations, others can be retitled into a trust, and some require probate if no beneficiary is designated. The sections below break down each step.
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Trusts can be named as POD/TOD beneficiaries
- Any account owner may change beneficiaries without consent of other owners or beneficiaries
- BMO requires original TOD forms; fax or photocopy not accepted
- Multiple beneficiaries receive equal shares unless otherwise specified; separate checks issued to each
- Beneficiary must survive all account owners to acquire interest in the account
- For marital accounts with POD: upon death of either owner, 50% goes to survivor and 50% to POD beneficiaries
- If no beneficiaries survive, balance is paid to estate of last surviving account owner
Sources
Data sourced from BMO primary sources (24 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these BMO instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against BMO primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Customer Service
BMO Bank N.A., P.O. Box 94033, Palatine, IL 60094-4033
BMO Wealth Management - Trusts & Estates
Death Claims
BMO Bank N.A., P.O. Box 94033, Palatine, IL 60094-4033
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your BMO accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
New Baby or Adoption
Your family is growing. Your protection should too. Guardian nominations, trusts for minors, beneficiary updates, and the documents new parents need in place.
Learn more
Marriage
What married couples need in place: one joint trust or two, wills, beneficiary updates, and the spousal rights your state grants you automatically.
Learn more
New Home
How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.
Learn more
Retirement
Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.
Learn moreMore estate planning resources
Explore related tools and documents to complete your estate plan.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Estimate attorney fees, executor fees, court costs, and timeline for probating an estate in your state. See if the estate qualifies for simplified probate procedures.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax (12 states + DC), and inheritance tax (5 states) for an estate or trust.
What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?
See the true cost of estate planning. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys including life events like marriage, divorce, and having children.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
Compare the cost of creating a will. See document costs plus probate fees your heirs will pay. Compare SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys.
