Why BMO NY?

I have an upcoming interview with BMO's NY office and am preparing my "Why BMO" answer. I've talked to some bankers there and have gotten generic responses such as the culture, quality of people, and a few others, but I want something a little more specific to talk about. Can anyone that works/worked there chime in and give me some specific things you enjoy about BMO that would be good to talk about? Thanks

3 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, when preparing your "Why BMO" answer, it's crucial to tailor your response to reflect both your personal motivations and specific attributes of the bank. Here are some actionable tips:

  1. Highlight BMO's Strengths in the U.S. Market: BMO has been expanding its presence in the U.S., particularly in sectors like M&A and leveraged finance. You can mention their growing footprint and your interest in being part of a team that's actively building its reputation in a competitive market.

  2. Culture and People: While you mentioned receiving generic responses about culture, you can dig deeper. If you've spoken to bankers, reference specific anecdotes or examples they shared about collaboration, mentorship, or team dynamics. This shows you've done your homework and have a genuine interest.

  3. Cross-Border Expertise: BMO is known for its strong cross-border capabilities, especially between the U.S. and Canada. If this aligns with your career goals, emphasize your interest in working on deals that leverage this unique strength.

  4. Group-Specific Insights: If you know which group you're interviewing for, research their recent deals or initiatives. For example, if it's the leveraged finance team, mention a notable transaction they worked on and why it excites you.

  5. Personal Fit: Tie your answer back to your own skills and aspirations. For instance, if you value a collaborative environment and have heard that BMO fosters this, explain how this aligns with your working style and career goals.

Remember, specificity and authenticity are key. If you can weave in insights from your conversations with bankers and connect them to your personal story, you'll stand out as a well-prepared and thoughtful candidate. Good luck!

Sources: An ex-Goldman Sachs insider’s 10 tips on how to sail through investment banking interviews, BAML First Round Video Interview, Answers to "why should we hire you?" question, 1st Yr Banking Analyst Open for Questions, 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions - London Edition

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

You can always mention the BMO metals & mining team incident ; specify how you are impressed by the firm’s proactive approach when it comes to internal conflict resolutions

 
Funniest

Commodi architecto dicta accusantium eum. Perferendis et quos ea debitis. Fugiat nulla ipsa et autem. Et asperiores veritatis fugit quibusdam aperiam consequatur aperiam sapiente.

Vel id aliquam at beatae cupiditate quidem. Et reprehenderit tenetur rerum velit a et quo. Dolorum atque voluptas perspiciatis. Qui et et quidem asperiores aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”