Why can’t I sign in to Online Banking for Business?  

To sign in to Online Banking for Business for the first time, you need:  

• a Customer ID;  
• a User ID; and  
• a U.S. or Canadian mobile number saved in your Online Banking for Business profile.  

This page has information on where to find these items, frequently asked questions about the sign-in process and some troubleshooting tips.  

Where can I find my Customer ID and User ID?  

Each time you sign in, you’ll need your Customer ID and User ID. If it’s your first time signing in, you can find them in our “Welcome to Online Banking for Business” email in your inbox.  

Can’t find our welcome email? Ask your company’s Online Banking for Business administrator to generate one for you.  

Important: For your protection, please record your Customer ID and User ID in a safe place, delete the welcome email from your inbox and then empty your deleted items folder. 

Why is my temporary password not working?  

After selecting Reset Password from the Sign In page, and providing your Customer ID, User ID, and email address, we’ll send a temporary password to the email address saved in your profile.  

If you’ve returned to the Sign In page but the temporary password is not working, it has probably expired. Please select Reset Password to generate a new temporary password, which you can then use to sign in. 

Why do I need to share my mobile phone number with you?  

As part of our ongoing commitment to client security, all Online Banking for Business users are required to confirm their identity when signing in for the first time. During the sign in process, we’ll send a text message verification code to the mobile number saved in your profile. When prompted, enter this code into Online Banking for Business.  

Why am I not receiving text message verification codes to my mobile phone?  

If you’re having trouble receiving our text messages, here’s what you can try:  

• Ask your company’s Online Banking for Business administrator to verify and update the mobile number in your profile if needed.  
• Check your mobile or computer screen for the option to request a new text message.  
• On your phone, turn off Wi-Fi, but keep cellular data turned on.  
• Make sure your service provider/plan allows receiving text messages.  
• For some service providers, it helps to add our SMS number to your contacts. Try this:  
  1. In your phone, create a new contact for our SMS Short Code number: 42218.  
  2. Close and reopen your text messaging app.  

Why is my text message verification code not working?  

Once you’ve signed in with the temporary password, you’ll need to verify your identity with text message verification. We’ll send a 6-digit code to your mobile phone.  

If you’ve typed the code into the “Verification Code” field and it’s not working, it has probably expired. Request a new one by selecting Send now under “Need a new code?” Enter the new code into the “Verification code” field.  

What should I do if I’m locked out of Online Banking for Business?  

If you’ve entered an incorrect password too many times, you’ll have to reset your password before you are able to sign in again. How to reset your password 

If you’ve entered an incorrect text message verification code too many times, or you’re locked out for any other reason, follow these steps to fix the issue: 

1. Ask your company’s Online Banking for Business administrator to unlock and reactivate your profile. How to unlock a user 
   Note: If you’re a Primary Customer Administrator (PCA) and there are no other administrators at your company, please contact the Help Desk for assistance.  
2. Once your profile has been unlocked, ask your administrator to verify your mobile number and update as needed. How to modify a user profile  
3. On the Sign In page, at www21.bmo.com, next to the “Password field, select Reset Password. How to reset your password 

What should I do if I don’t have a U.S. or Canadian mobile number to complete the password reset process?  

The password reset process includes text message verification. If you don’t have a working U.S. or Canadian mobile number, or you’re unable to receive the text message verification code for any reason: 

1. Ask your company’s Online Banking for Business administrator to unlock and reactivate your profile. How to unlock a user 
   Note: If you’re a Primary Customer Administrator (PCA) and there are no other administrators at your company, please contact the Help Desk for assistance.  
2. Once your profile is unlocked, ask your administrator to reset your password for you. How to reset a user’s password  
3. When you receive the temporary password, use it to sign in and bypass the text message verification step.  
4. When prompted, create a new, permanent password.