How BMO uses AI to get more of business clients' business

May 5, 2026 - 02:02

The Bank of Montreal is quietly deploying artificial intelligence to strengthen its corporate banking operations, using machine learning to analyze payment data and guide its sales teams. Rather than relying on broad market trends or gut instinct, BMO's system sifts through transaction patterns to identify specific opportunities where the bank can offer additional services.

The technology works by examining how business clients move money, including the timing and frequency of payments, as well as the types of vendors they use. From that data, the AI generates tailored recommendations for relationship managers. For example, if a client regularly pays international suppliers through wire transfers, the system might flag the potential for foreign exchange hedging or trade finance products.

This approach shifts the sales process from reactive to proactive. Instead of waiting for a client to ask about a service, bankers can approach them with data-backed suggestions that address actual observed needs. BMO executives say the tool helps cut through the noise of a crowded commercial banking market, where winning a client's full wallet often depends on anticipating needs before competitors do.

The bank has also focused on making the AI output practical. Recommendations are delivered through existing internal platforms, so sales staff do not need to learn new software. Early results show higher conversion rates on cross-sell offers, though BMO has not disclosed specific figures. The move reflects a broader trend among Canadian lenders, who are increasingly investing in data analytics to defend and expand their corporate client base.