Great people, Terrible processes and systems. - Portfolio Manager BMO US Employee Review

3.0
Aug 11, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great co-workers will keep you sane in this inefficient environment. Nearly everyone you come in contact with, regardless of city/department/title is friendly and willing to help you succeed. Happy hours are regular and there are plenty of company sponsored events to get to meet other people in the company. Volunteer opportunities are great! Work life balance is also great. Get your work done and no one will bug you about coming in late or leaving early. Don't get your work done, different story.

Cons

Some of the worst systems and processes I've ever dealt with. Upper management is constantly trying to understand how to fix processes and procedures but their solutions almost always end up being a band-aid to a much larger problem that doesn't get fixed. Too many systems that do not talk with each other which puts a huge burden on middle management and under. You'll end up spending as much time learning how to navigate the systems as you will learning the job itself. Use of these systems is not transferable to other companies... you will not be able to use your full potential as you are stuck using these processes. Similarly, there are way too many departments that do not communicate well with each other. Employees in Department A have their own goals and policies that conflict with employees in Department B. This results in a lot of wasted time and prevents client-facing individuals from booking new business. Zero creativity at this company. Do not try thinking outside of the box because you'll just end up spinning your wheels. They've dumbed everything down to the point where employees no longer think - they just follow directions and check the box to move on to the next mindless task.

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5.0
Jun 15, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great team, growth, good bonus

Cons

Lean team, nights / weekend deployments

1.0
Apr 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Pros: • Great coworkers who foster a supportive team environment. • Strong commitment to community engagement and involvement. • Attractive annual bonuses and competitive quarterly compensation.

Cons

Cons: • High levels of sales pressure, which can be overwhelming at times. • Concerns about management, particularly after the hiring of former Bank of America leadership; implementation of their sales culture. • Recent changes to branch names (now referred to as Financial Banking Centers) suggest a shift towards Bank of America's practices. • Many branch managers are on performance improvement plans and face pressure to meet 100% of their goals weekly, leading to a stressful work environment. • There are reports of unethical sales practices that may require regulatory attention. Overall: BMO offers a positive work atmosphere with great benefits, but the increasing sales pressure and management issues may raise concerns for potential employees.

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