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
Customer Service
Phone1-888-340-2265
Toll-Free1-888-340-2265
Fax1-844-739-1152
Mailing Address
BMO Bank N.A., P.O. Box 94033, Palatine, IL 60094-4033
BMO Alto online accounts (24/7)
BMO Investment Services
BMO Mortgage
BMO Credit Card (24/7)
BMO Wealth Management
WebsiteLearn more→
BMO Wealth Management - Trusts & Estates
Phone1-800-472-0060
Toll-Free1-800-472-0060
BMO Alto online accounts (24/7)
BMO Investment Services
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone1-888-340-2265
Toll-Free1-888-340-2265
Fax1-844-739-1152
Mailing Address
BMO Bank N.A., P.O. Box 94033, Palatine, IL 60094-4033
BMO Alto online accounts (24/7)
BMO Investment Services
BMO Wealth Management
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
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.
BMO Smart Advantage CheckingBMO Smart Money CheckingBMO Relationship CheckingBMO Savings BuilderBMO Growth Money MarketBMO Certificate of DepositBMO Alto Online SavingsBMO Alto Online Certificate of Deposit
1
Log in to BMO Online Banking
2
Navigate to account settings or beneficiary management
3
Add or update POD beneficiary designations for deposit accounts
4
Provide beneficiary full legal name, date of birth, and SSN
5
Specify primary and contingent beneficiaries with percentage allocations
6
Save changes and confirm the designation
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
Customer Service
Phone1-888-340-2265
Toll-Free1-888-340-2265
Fax1-844-739-1152
Mailing Address
BMO Bank N.A., P.O. Box 94033, Palatine, IL 60094-4033
BMO Alto online accounts (24/7)
BMO Investment Services
BMO Mortgage
BMO Credit Card (24/7)
BMO Wealth Management
WebsiteLearn more→
BMO Wealth Management - Trusts & Estates
Phone1-800-472-0060
Toll-Free1-800-472-0060
BMO Alto online accounts (24/7)
BMO Investment Services
WebsiteLearn more→
Death Claims
Phone1-888-340-2265
Toll-Free1-888-340-2265
Fax1-844-739-1152
Mailing Address
BMO Bank N.A., P.O. Box 94033, Palatine, IL 60094-4033
BMO Alto online accounts (24/7)
BMO Investment Services
BMO Wealth Management
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your BMO accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
