
The Bank of Montreal (BMO) is a well-established bank in Canada with a long history of providing financial services to its customers.
To make international transactions, you'll need to know the BMO bank swift code, which is a unique identifier assigned to the bank.
The BMO bank swift code in Canada is BMOSCAD2, a specific code that helps facilitate international transactions.
For example, when sending money from the US to a BMO account in Canada, the swift code BMOSCAD2 is used to ensure the transaction is processed correctly.
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What is a BIC Code?
A BIC Code, also known as a SWIFT Code, is a standard format used to specify a particular bank or branch for international wire transfers.
It's used when transferring money between banks, particularly for international wire transfers, and banks also use these codes for exchanging messages between them.
SWIFT Codes comprise of 8 or 11 characters, with all 11 digit codes referring to specific branches, while 8 digit codes (or those ending in 'XXX') refer to the head or primary office.
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The format of a SWIFT Code is AAAABBCCDDD, where:
- First 4 characters - bank code (only letters)
- Next 2 characters - ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code (only letters)
- Next 2 characters - location code, passive participant will have "1" in the second character (letters and digits)
- Last 3 characters - branch code, optional - 'XXX' for primary office (letters and digits)
For example, the SWIFT BIC code for BANK OF MONTREAL, THE in Toronto is BOFMCAT2, where:
- Bank code is BOFM
- Country code is CA
- Location code is CAT
- Branch code is 2
Using a BIC Code
A BIC code, or Bank Identifier Code, is a unique code assigned to a bank for international transactions. It's made up of 8-11 characters.
The BIC code for Bank of Montreal is BOFMCAM2, which is also its 8-digit SWIFT code. This code is used to identify the bank and its location.
You can break down a BIC code into its individual components, which include the bank code, institution code, country code, location code, and branch code. For example, the BIC code BOFMCAM2 can be broken down as follows:
The branch code is optional and is usually represented by XXX for the main office.
Understanding Codes
A SWIFT code is a standard format of Bank Identifier Code (BIC) used to specify a particular bank or branch.
These codes are used when transferring money between banks, particularly for international wire transfers. Banks also use these codes for exchanging messages between them.
A SWIFT code is formatted as follows: AAAABBCCDDD. Here's a breakdown of what each section means:
- First 4 characters - bank code (only letters)
- Next 2 characters - ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code (only letters)
- Next 2 characters - location code, passive participant will have "1" in the second character (letters and digits)
- Last 3 characters - branch code, optional - 'XXX' for primary office (letters and digits)
For example, the SWIFT code BOFMCAM2 breaks down as follows: BOFM (bank code), CA (country code), M2 (location code), and XXX (branch code for the main office).
What Are Codes?
Codes are used for various banking services, and it's essential to double-check with the recipient or the bank to ensure you're using the correct code. Bank of Montreal uses different SWIFT codes for its various services.
A SWIFT code is a specific code used for international transactions, and it's usually a combination of letters and numbers. The SWIFT code for Bank of Montreal is BOFMCAT2XXX.
Some banks have multiple codes for different services, so it's crucial to verify the correct code before making a transaction.
For more insights, see: Routing Number for Bmo Bank of Montreal
What is Code?

A SWIFT Code is a standard format of Bank Identifier Code (BIC) used to specify a particular bank or branch. These codes are used when transferring money between banks, particularly for international wire transfers.
Banks use SWIFT codes for exchanging messages between them, and they're usually formatted as 8 or 11 characters. The 11 digit codes refer to specific branches, while the 8 digit codes refer to the head or primary office.
The format of a SWIFT code is AAAABBCCDDD, where the first 4 characters are the bank code, only consisting of letters. The next 2 characters are the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code, also only consisting of letters.
The next 2 characters are the location code, which can contain letters and digits, and will have "1" in the second character for passive participants. The last 3 characters are the branch code, which is optional and will be 'XXX' for the primary office.

Here's a breakdown of the components of a SWIFT code:
In the case of the Bank of Montreal, the SWIFT code is BOFMCAM2, where BOFM is the bank code, CA is the country code, M2 is the location code, and XXX is the branch code for the main office.
Other Codes Exist
Financial institutions often have multiple codes to represent different branches.
Some codes may differ by just a few letters or numbers.
It's essential to double-check with the recipient before sending money to ensure you have the right code.
Always verify the code with the recipient to avoid any potential issues.
Montreal and Toronto
Montreal and Toronto are two major Canadian cities with a strong presence in the banking industry.
The Bank of Montreal (BMO) is headquartered in Toronto, but it also has a significant presence in Montreal.
Toronto, being the financial hub of Canada, is home to many international banks, including the Bank of Montreal.
Montreal, on the other hand, has a rich history of banking, with the Bank of Montreal having a major branch there since 1817.
Toronto and Montreal are both major economic centers in Canada, with a strong demand for banking services.
The Bank of Montreal's Toronto office is responsible for managing many of the bank's international transactions, including those using the BMO Swift code.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is SWIFT code same for all branches?
A bank's SWIFT code may be the same for all branches or unique to each branch, depending on the bank's policy. Check the bank's head office code as a safe alternative if unsure.
What is the BMO USA SWIFT code?
The BMO USA SWIFT code is HATRUS44 XXX BIC. This code is used for international wire transfers to BMO Bank N.A. in the United States.
What SWIFT code is BOFMCAM2?
The SWIFT code for BOFMCAM2 is BOFMCAM2 XXX. This code is used for international transactions with Bank of Montreal in Canada.
How do I find my banks swift bic code?
Check your bank's website, mobile app, or account statements for your SWIFT/BIC code, or visit your local branch to request it
Is a SWIFT code the same as a BIC code in Canada?
Yes, in Canada, a SWIFT code and BIC code are interchangeable terms, referring to the unique identifier used for international money transfers. Both terms serve the same purpose and are used to facilitate global financial transactions.
Sources
- https://www.theswiftcodes.com/canada/bank/bank-of-montreal/
- https://trackmyswift.com/ru/swift-codes/BOFMCAT2CLS
- https://www.theswiftcodes.com/united-kingdom/bofmgb2xcls/
- https://www.bankswiftbiccodes.com/Bank-Of-Montreal/Toronto/Canada/BOFMCAM2
- https://www.bankswiftbiccodes.com/Bank-Of-Montreal/Toronto/Canada/BOFMCAT2
- https://canada-banks-info.com/swift-codes//bank-of-montreal,-the-swift-codes/BOFMCAT2BMO/
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