This account is great for those who intend on making a large number of transactions and keeping a large sum of cash across all BMO Harris Bank accounts. If you have a minimum daily balance of $25,000, a BMO Harris Financial Advisors investment account or have $50,000 across all your linked accounts with their Relationship Waiver program, the monthly maintenance fee is waived.

While you’re not earning a whole lot of interest, you do get a free pack of checks and half off certain styles should you need to order more. You also get ATM fee refunds and overdraft funding fees waived if money is transferred into the account. Other free services include money orders, cashier’s checks and paper statements.

How to get Harris Premier™ Account

Opening an account online can take you 20 minutes or less. Head over to the online application form and first enter in your ZIP code. The rest of the form asks you to enter your personal details such as your name, address, employment information, Social Security number and state ID/driver’s license if you’re a new customer. Then you’ll need to fund the account and consider the option to add on other features like overdraft protection.

If not, you can always call customer service, or head to your local branch to open the account. The process could be a lot smoother (aka faster) if you make an appointment beforehand.

The Smart Money account is a no-frills checking account that’s great for those who are opening an account for the first time. That’s because the monthly maintenance fee is waived for primary account holders under 25 years old. If you opt for paper statements, the $2 monthly statement fee is also waived.

Although this account doesn’t earn any interest, you do get a few free perks. All account holders get a debit card and their first pack of checks for free. Also, unless you opt into overdraft protection – either by linking a BMO Harris Bank savings account or line of credit – any transaction will be denied if it’s over your bank account balance. There’s also mobile banking, which includes nifty features like People Pay, a service that lets you send money to anyone with a U.S. bank account with their email address and Mobile Cash, where you can withdraw cash at any ATM without using your debit card.

How to get a Smart Money™ account

You can open account in less than 20 minutes by heading to the BMO Harris website and filling out an online application. Applicants will be asked to provide their Social Security number and ID (a driver’s license counts) if you’ve never banked with BMO Harris Bank before. You’ll also need to provide personal details such as your name, address and employment information. After agreeing to their disclosures and provide a way to fund your account, you can then add on features like overdraft protection.

Alternatively, you can also an account by calling the bank, or going to at any one of their branches. To save time, search on the site and book an appointment ahead of time.

This account isn’t that much different from the Smart Money™ account, except that there are no fees for account holders, no matter the age. You get the same perks like your first free pack of checks, a debit card and free checking imaging if you enroll in eStatements.

Unfortunately, this account isn’t interest-bearing. But for those who are looking for a basic checking account and aren’t too concerned with earning interest, this is a good option. You don’t need to worry about overdrawing your account (unless you link it to a savings account or line of credit, then there’s a fee per transfer) and you get benefits such as mobile banking, which you can use to manage external accounts.

With both checking accounts, you may be able to get rate discounts if you take out a mortgage or home equity line of credit through the bank for account holders.

How to get a Smart Advantage™ Account

Head to the BMO Harris Bank website and fill out an online application. You’ll first need to enter in your ZIP code then provide your Social Security number and ID (a driver’s license counts) if you’ve never banked with BMO Harris before. Afterward, provide your personal details such as your address and employment information, and then agree to their disclosures. Fund the account and add on any additional services. The entire process should take about 20 minutes or less.

Otherwise, call customer service, or go to your nearest branch and open an account there. You may be able to save a bit of time by booking an appointment ahead of time.

Considering its low monthly maintenance fee and opening deposit amount, this BMO Harris Bank savings account is best for those who either want to open their first account or want a cheap option to link to a checking account for overdraft protection.

You do get a free ATM card with this account, but because it’s a savings account, you’re limited to six withdrawals/transfers per month thanks to Regulation D. Unlike other banks where you’re charged an excessive withdrawal fee, BMO Harris Bank will simply deny your request if you attempt to make more than six.

In order to waive the monthly maintenance fee, you’ll need to maintain a minimum daily balance of $500, opt to automatically transfer a minimum of $25 each month into the account and the primary account holder is under 18 years old.

How to get a Statement Savings account

The most efficient way to open an account is doing so online. Go to the online application form and enter your ZIP code. Then, you’ll be asked to provide personal identifying information such as address, employment information, Social Security number and an ID if you’re a new customer. After agreeing to the disclosures and providing funding information, you’ll be asked whether you want any extra features like linking your account for overdraft protection.

If not, you can always call customer service or head to your local branch to open an account. The process could be a lot smoother (aka faster) if you make an appointment beforehand.

Technically, the minimum opening for its fixed-rate CDs is $1,000, and you can only qualify for the online promotional rates if you have a $5,000 minimum deposit. If not, you’re looking at some pretty abysmal rates at a maximum of 0.75% APY for a 60 month term.

Interest is compounded daily and will be credited to your account at maturity for CDs less than a year and quarterly if your term is longer. You’ll get a reminder when your CD is about to mature, then when it does, you get a 10-day grace period to decide what to do. If you do nothing, your account will automatically be renewed.

How to get a Fixed Rate CD

If you apply for a CD online, you cannot open it as a joint account. You’ll need to do so at your nearest branch. For single account owners, head over to the online application form, enter your ZIP code and pick which CD term you want. Provide your personal details such as name, address, employment, Social Security number and government-issued ID if you’re a first-time customer. All you need to do afterward is to fund your account.

With the Step Rate CD, you get a rate increase each each year, resulting in the blended APY you see above. You’ll get guaranteed rate increases automatically each year.

Just like the fixed rate CD, interest is compounded daily and credited every quarter. Before maturity, you’ll get a reminder and a 10-day grace period in which to either withdraw funds, add more or renew for another term. Otherwise, your CD will automatically be renewed.

How to get a Step Rate CD

You can only open a Step Rate CD in person or by calling the bank. To find a location nearest you, do search on their site on their locations page by entering your ZIP code or city and state.

While the rates aren’t anything to rave about, they are higher than the savings accounts and you do get check writing capabilities. Just like other accounts, you also get online and mobile banking which as mentioned before, comes with some pretty snazzy features.

This account is probably best for those who intend on stashing more money. You can skip paying the monthly maintenance fee if you keep a minimum balance of $10,000. Or else you’ll be paying the steep fee.

Because this is a savings account, Federal Regulation D limits withdrawals to six per month. If you go over this amount, you will be charged $15 per transaction.

How to get a Platinum Money Market account

You’re only allowed to open a money market account by calling or going to your nearest branch. To find a location nearest you, do a search on the BMO Harris Bank’s website and enter in your ZIP code. It may help to speed up the application process of you book an appointment beforehand.

Like the fixed rate CDs, some of the APYs you see above aren’t great. But if you take advantage of the 18, 30 and 60 month CDs with the $5,000 minimum deposit, you can get some really stellar rates.

You’ll want to make sure you’re not exceeding your annual limits for IRA contributions. In 2018, the maximum is $5,500 for individuals and $6,500 if you’re 50 or older. Additionally, if you make early withdrawals, you’re subjected to BMO Harris Bank’s early withdrawal penalties and will be taxed an additional 25% by the IRS if you’re younger than 59.5 years old.

BMO Harris Bank also offers jumbo CDs, but they’re the same rates as the $5,000 minimum deposit.

How to get BMO Harris Bank’s IRA CDs

You can only open a IRA CD in person. Click on the “Locations” tab on its website or call customer service to find a branch closest to you.

This is your run-of-the-mill savings account that you can either open as a traditional, Roth or SEP IRA. If the rates are anything like the Statement Savings Account, they’re not spectacular, but you have more flexibility than the IRA CDs in that you can withdraw funds at any time. Remember, you may have to pay a tax penalty if you take out cash before you’re 59.5 years old with a traditional IRA.

Your IRA savings account compounds interest daily and will be credited quarterly, whenever statements are sent to you. Contact the bank to request the rates for this account.

How to get BMO Harris Bank’s IRA savings account

The only way to open an IRA savings account is in person at a local branch. Click on the “Locations” tab on its website or call customer service to find one closest to you.

This checking account is meant for those who want to earn interest and intend on using their account fairly often. Though the monthly maintenance fee seems a bit steep, you can get it waived in one of four ways:

• Have an average daily balance of $5,000 or more in your account.
• Have an average daily balance of at least $25,000 across your checking and money market accounts.
• The primary account holder has Premier Personal Banking status with the BBVA Premier Personal Banking program.
• You’re a BBVA Compass Global Wealth client.

In addition to the features you get with the free checking accounts, you earn a tiered interest rate. Also, you won’t get charged when you use an out-of-network ATM and get two ATM fee refunds per month. Other perks include free checks and no monthly maintenance fees if you choose to also open one of BBVA Compass’ money market accounts.

The rates you see above are promotional rates. To qualify for the better rate, you can’t have opened a checking account within the last 90 days.

How to get BBVA Compass’ ClearChoice Interest Checking account

Opening an account can take as little as a few minutes by filling out an application form on the BBVA Compass website. Enter personal details such as your address, income information and ID to verify your identity. Once approved you can then fund your account.

This account is a great option for those who want to save money on banking fees while still being able to get access to a whole host of features. The downside is that this isn’t an interest-bearing account.

There are no monthly service charges nor fees for in-network ATMs. There is a fee for out-of-network ATMS, but you can pay $5 each month as an add-on and BBVA Compass will reimburse you up to four times a month. It could be worth it if you make a lot of ATM transactions and there aren’t any in-network ATMs around.

The account is set to default to decline any transactions that will cause your account to go into overdraft, but you can link it to a savings account or a line of credit. If you choose this option, then you’ll be charged each time a transfer occurs.

As for other features, you get free online and mobile banking, including bill pay and mobile deposit. Account holders also get a free Visa debit card and the ability to earn cashback rewards every time you make a qualifying purchase. Let’s not forget free online or paper statements, which other banks tend to charge for a few bucks a month.

Unfortunately, the free checking account is only available to those in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, California, Florida, New Mexico and Texas. If you don’t live in any of these states, the ClearConnect checking account is a great alternative.

How to get BVAA Compass’ Free Checking account

Residents in any of the above mentioned locations can fill out an application form online. Before entering your personal details, you’ll be asked to enter your ZIP code. You’ll need to provide name, address, a government-issued ID, and employment information. After agreeing to BVAA Compass’ terms, you’ll then fund your account, confirm your information and the checking account is considered open.

Otherwise, you can open a Free Checking account at your local branch.

There aren’t many differences between the Free Checking account mentioned above and this one. The fees for this non-interest bearing account — including the monthly maintenance and ATM fees — are pretty much the same, except you’ll need to pay $3 a month for paper statements. Account holders also get free access to online and mobile banking as well as bill pay.

With your free Visa debit card, you can earn cashback rewards with the Simple Cash Back program. You can select rewards once you log into your account online or via the mobile app. Account holders earn rewards by doing simple tasks such as making a qualifying purchase.

How to get BBVA Compass’ ClearConnect Checking account

U.S. residents can open an account online. Head to BBVA Compass’ application form and fill in your personal details. This includes your name, employment information and a piece of government ID. Once approved, you can then fund your account.

The Easy Checking account is for those that don’t qualify for the Free Checking account, perhaps because of bad bank or credit history. You’ll get limited account features until you’re able to get another BBVA Compass checking account.

While there are no opportunities to waive the monthly maintenance fee, you do get free ATM access for in-network ATMs and at all Allpoint^© ATMs. You also get free online and mobile banking so you can keep an eye on your account anytime you want. Included in this account is a Visa debit card with cashback rewards on qualifying purchases.

Once you have this account open for a minimum of 12 months, you may be able to upgrade to another checking account if your account is still active and has a positive balance. To do so, you’ll need to call customer service or go to any BBVA Compass location.

How to get BBVA Compass’ Easy Checking account

BBVA Compass encourages new customers to apply for the Free Checking or ClearConnect checking account first through its website. If your application is rejected, then you can open a Easy Checking account by visiting your local branch or by calling customer service.

This is a basic savings account that offers free online and mobile banking. Like most big banks, the interest you earn is pretty minuscule. However, this account can be useful if you want to store some extra cash if you plan to link it to a checking account for overdraft protection.

As with all savings accounts, Federal Regulation D limits up to six transfers and electronic payments a month. However, BBVA Compass will charge you $3 per transaction if you make more than four withdrawals every statement cycle.

How to get a Compass ClearConnect savings account

Opening an account is easy as you can do it online via BBVA Compass’ application form. You’ll need to provide personal information like your name, address, employment information and a government-issued ID. You’ll then need to fund your account. Otherwise, you can open an account at your local branch or by calling the bank.

This savings account doesn’t seem all that much different from the ClearConnect account, except that it comes with a quarterly account maintenance fee. You’re still getting the same rates and features, including the excess transaction fee of $3 if you make more than four withdrawals a month.

What does make this account different is that it seems to encourage you to save money instead of it just being an account you can link to for overdraft protection — the minimum daily balance requirement of $500 in order to waive the monthly maintenance fee is a built-in incentive. You may also waive the monthly maintenance fee by transferring a minimum of $25 every month from a BBVA Compass checking account.

How to get a Compass ClearChoice savings account

You can open an account within a few minutes by heading to BBVA Compass’ website and filling out its online application form. Information you’ll be asked to provide will include your name, address, a government-issued ID and employment information. Afterward, you’ll be asked to fund the account. Otherwise, you can open an account at your local branch or by calling the bank’s customer service department.

This is a unique account in that it is a hybrid between a regular savings account and a CD. You choose the length of your savings goal — six or 12 months — and then choose an amount you want to have automatically transferred from your checking account. Account holders have the ability to earn a match transfer bonus. BBVA Compass will match up to 1% of the total amount you saved, up to $25 for the six-month plan and up to $50 for a 12-month plan. You must set up an automatic transfer of a minimum of $25 every month to qualify for the bonus.

If you cancel your account or withdraw money before your designated term is up, you won’t be eligible to receive the bonus. You’ll also be charged $10 per withdrawal and a $15 quarterly service charge if you don’t make automatic transfers of a minimum of $25.

How to get a Build My Savings account

You can only open this account in person. Click here to check for a location closest to you or by calling the bank.

With BBVA Compass’ CDs, you tend to get better rates when you open an account online, though you don’t get access to shorter terms. Terms range from seven days to 15 years for CDs opened at a branch.

Interest earned will only be paid when your account matures if you open it online. However, if you open a CD in person, you have the option to have interest earned paid out either monthly, quarterly, twice a year, annually or at maturity. The interest can be paid out to another account, via check or kept in the CD.

Account holders will receive a written notice before the account matures. Once it does, you’ll have a 10 day grace period in which to withdraw funds, renew for a different term or add additional funds. Otherwise, your CD will automatically be renewed at the current rate, which will be different from the promotional APY.

How to get a BBVA Compass CD

You can take advantage of the promotional rates by filling out an application form online. You’ll be asked to select the CD term you want then personal details such as your name, employment information and government-issued ID. You’ll then provide details on how you want to fund the account and confirm your information. Upon approval your account will be considered opened. If you’re looking for short term rates, you’ll need to head to your local branch.

BBVA Compass’ money market account is best for those who want a higher interest rate than what the bank’s savings accounts offer and an account to provide overdraft protection for a linked checking account.

You can waive the monthly maintenance fee if you have at least $10,000 in your account each quarter or if you set up an automatic transfer of least $25 from your BBVA Compass checking account each month.

The promotional rate you see above is only good for those who open an account online and only for the first 12 months. You also cannot have opened another money market account within the last 30 days of account opening. After the 12 month promotional period is over, you’ll earn the regular rate. Depending on your deposit amount, the APY could still be higher than a savings account.

Because this is a type of savings account, Federal Regulation D states that you can only make a maximum of six withdrawals a month. BBVA Compass charges a $10 for each excess withdrawal.

How to get BVAA Compass’ ClearChoice money market account

You can open an account within a few minutes by filling out BBVA Compass’ online application form. Information you’ll be asked to provide will include your name, address, a government-issued ID and employment information. Afterward, you’ll be asked to fund the account. Otherwise, you can open an account at your local branch or by calling the bank’s customer service number.

BBVA Compass also offers CDs as an IRA. With that option, the rates and terms are pretty much the same except you’re able to make another two deposits a year, up to the IRS limit. Currently, this is $5,000 per year or $6,000 for those who are 50 years and older.

If you do make an early withdrawal, you’ll be subject to BBVA Compass’ penalties plus any additional taxes and other fees as mandated by the IRS. Considering the competitive rate for the IRA CD, it’s a great way to possibly save money in a tax deferred account (if you opted for a Traditional IRA).

How to get BBVA Compass’ IRA savings account

Even though you can open a regular CD account online, with an IRA account you’ll need to do so in person. You can click here to find a location closest to you or call the bank to find out more.