BMO Harris Bank

I'm worried. I'm a current-former Bank of the West customer. Our bank was bought out by BOM here in California. The local teller told me don't worry, everything will be the same. They always say that at first. I'm particularly worried that BOM will do away with the former bank's Any Deposit Checking Account, which allowed customers to avoid a monthly account maintenance fee, provided the customer makes at least 1 deposit of any amt. during a billing cycle. If they don't grandfather this product, I'm gone. Already, I've been getting the full-court press from the BOM Marketing Team wanting me to open multiple new accts (Credit Card, HELOC, Mortgage,etc).
But, interestingly, BOM's been very scant on what they will do for ME, the customer. Only interested at this point in what I can do for THEM. Not getting a good vibe from the start. This merger reminds me in spades of when Chase Bank bought out Washington Mutual. They made the same rosy pronouncements in the beginning and shortly thereafter told me I'd have to change the way I bank in order to avoid fees. I in essence told them: No, you have to change the way you charge and pulled my acct. Funny thing is, Chase has been trying win my business back ever since, even with financial bonus incentives. Nope. Lesson to banks (that they surely must know): It's cheaper to keep a customer then lose them and try winning them back later. Bad way of doing business.

Yesterday I fount out that BMO froze access to a savigns account I opened a few months back. Now I cannot gain access to my deposits. Are they in financial trouble. IS THIS THE NEXT BANK TO FAIL!

I never write reviews, however, I have never worked with a worse institution in my life. I would give zero stars if possible. I have had a checking and savings account at BMO Harris for about 10 years. My husband and I have never been overdrawn and always kept money in both accounts. Last night our checking and savings were shut off and we were told we are unable to ever bank with BMO ever again and the decision is not reversible. After several hours on the phone from both of us no one is able to tell us why our accounts were shut off and no one is willing to look into reversing the decision. I have no idea why our accounts were closed and we were told that anyone we talked to in the past that told us everything on our account looked good and they needed no information from us was not authorized to do so. Be careful banking with them as I can only assume if we had credit cards or our mortgage through them this would be much more of a disaster!

I want to start by saying please take into account all the reviews for this bank and stay FAR FAR away.
I usually avoid writing bad reviews, because most of the time there is a resolution and understanding to the customer.

As a business, let alone a national bank, you should be all in on implementing and developing the customer experience. Right?

This place does the COMPLETE OPPOSITE. It seems like they are focused on how can I make it more difficult on the customer. Starting from online banking all the way down to their processes. Customer service??? HAHA you are better off not even calling.

When you can’t even properly communicate with the customer service agent, something is wrong. They are basically human robots in a third world country. While you are talking they are typing your question into their little chat box to get you an answer that hasn’t been updated in decades.

I have spent too much time dealing with things that should not have even been a problem. For that reason, no matter how many times BMO merges or gets bought out I will be here to let the people know to think twice before joining.

All in all, I am glad to say I successfully escaped the rat trap and wish the best for current customers as this bank will most likely not be around much longer. I will continue to share my experience in hopes to reach as many people as I can.

Worst customer service ever, I read these reviews before opening an account at bmo thinking I wouldn't need to contact them. This company is so inept at doing their job, you will be forced to contact and customer service and when you do, you will probably close your account like I plan on doing shortly. I've never found a group of rude unprofessional people at a supposedly large corporation like the collection of clowns at bmo. ? Goodbye bmo

Nothing but a bunch of common thieves. Twice I've put in payment that they stated the account was invalid. Did they reach out or send an email? Nope. I got my confirmation email and was left to think everything was ok. It was only when I checked my account after returning from out of country to realize it didn't come out. I had to contact them. They have no system in place to tell their customers an error occurred. Instead I had to fight for over an hour to get the fee reversed when I had documented proof

I have had this bank for years and now someone made fraudulent charges to my account and they tell me the vendor has proof to the contrary. I do not use the account for purchases and it was for pet clothes and supplies in which I do not have a pet. They now want me to jump thru hoops just to obtain the proof they have so I can see such proof that I know is false. Goodbye BMO I will take my six figure accounts to a bank with better customer care.

I opened an online savings acct and the same day BMO completed the "trial transactions" of 2 deposits and then 1 with drawl. All went fine. Except I can't get into my account online and when I call I get foreigner I can barely understand and they tell me I need to visit their nearest branch. 150 MILES AWAY!!! That's why I want to do online banking. This is the WORST online banking experience I've ever had and I have done business with several other banks. Find another online service!!

Tried opening an account. After jumping thru hoops (many more than other online bank accounts) I got to the end and then they asked me to establish an online ID - I tried...tried...tried and then called their customer service number. They apparently hired an offshore business to take care of this service. I could not understand the people because of the terrible telephone connection. From their responses, the feeling was mutual, because what they did and said was not appropriate. I spent more time with them trying to verify my id than I used trying to get answers. Their CUSTOMER service is TERRIBLE. I made a $25.00 trial deposit, and I think it is lost because when I entered the account number they gave me, it came up as invalid! UGH!!! This is the worst website and telephone customer service I have ever encountered in my 20-plus years of using the internet. My advice to all reading this is don't waste your time.

I made an appointment to visit the Romeoville branch on Weber Rd. When I got there the employee said he didn’t see an appointment for me. After he checked again he stated oh the employee was supposed to call you and let you know that she had made a mistake and we didn’t have that appointment available. I told him no one called me; he just looked at me like okay what do you want me to do. I asked for the manager card and left. I called the manager and asked that she return my call two days later and no return call.