BMO’s Museum

From the day of its foundation in 1817, Canada’s oldest banking institution has preserved a rich heritage.

The Bank of Montreal Museum is located at our Montreal Head Office in the Old Port of Montreal, in the hallway between BMO Bank of Montreal’s Main Branch (a stately neo-classic structure built in 1847) and its Head Office building (built in 1960).

Our museum provides a snapshot of banking in the early days of Canada’s history and BMO’s role in helping our customers make real financial progress and our communities thrive for more than 200 years.

From a historical standpoint, the Museum’s current location is fitting. After its first 18 months of operation in leased premises on Saint-Paul Street, the bank acquired a building in the Spring of 1819, on the corner of Saint-François-Xavier and Saint-Jacques Streets. That building, the very first in Canada to be built specifically for banking purposes, was located on the current site of the Corporation’s Montreal Head Office and the bank’s museum.

Visitors are welcome to autonomously explore the museum, featuring displays of historical artifacts relating to BMO’s heritage. This includes documents, antique accessories, and photographs, as well as collections of old currency, and our charming assortment of mechanical piggy banks.

The Bank of Montreal Museum regularly receives 30,000 visitors per year. The museum is free and open to the public Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.