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Transparent pricing

Fees don't have to be complicated. Here's a breakdown, so you'll know exactly what you'll be paying and why.

Open an account

You can start investing with a minimum of $1,000

Investment Amount:
Between $1,000 to $500,000
You pay:
Monthly Account Fees
All account fees are charged on a quarterly basis
See how smartfolio portfolios perform

What's included in your fees

An account fee covers professional portfolio management (those experts are monitoring and rebalancing your investment!) and support from a team of investment advisors should you have any questions or need any help.

MER fees explained

SmartFolio accounts are made up of ETF portfolios, and all ETFs have management fees and expenses that are calculated as Management Expense Ratio (MER) in addition to the advisory fee. The MER is included within the pricing of the ETFs themselves and will not appear as an expense item on your account statement(s). The MER of the ETFs held within your portfolio will likely be a weighted average of 0.20% to 0.35% of the value of your SmartFolio account.

A look at our fee schedule

Account fees are calculated as a percentage based on how much you’ve invested. 

chart displaying how rates are charged at different asset value levels
Asset value  Annual Rate
First $100,0000.70%
Next $150,0000.60%
Next $250,0000.50%
Next $500,0000.40%

 For example, if Paul invests $275,000, his total yearly fee would be $1,725.

Here’s the breakdown of how he’s charged:

First $100,000 at 0.7% = $700Next $150,000 at 0.6% = $900Next $25,000 at 0.5% = $125

To learn more, check out our BMO SmartFolio Fee Schedule

SmartFolio fees compared to traditional investing fees

Annual advisory (or account) fees based on a $60,000 investment 

The cost of traditional investing is based on a 1.75% traditional advisory fee.

What else you may want to know

  • From time to time, you may need to make changes to your account – here’s a breakdown of what you will be charged to cover those administrative tasks.

    Transfer-out of a Non-Registered or Registered Account (Full and partial) - $135 per account

    Cheque requests - $10 per request

    Fees are charged per account unless otherwise stated and are subject to change. You’ll receive 60 days notice for any new or increased fee.

  • Interest on a credit balance in your account is subject to change without notice, and may vary. Please check your BMO SmartFolio Investment Management Agreement for more details. Interest isn’t paid if the amount accrued is less than $5 per month. BMO Nesbitt Burns may earn revenue from the use of cash credit balances.

  • If foreign currency conversions are needed in your account, BMO Nesbitt Burns will act as principal, unless we notify you otherwise. Exchange rates for foreign currency conversion are established or determined by BMO Nesbitt Burns or parties related to us in our sole discretion and are subject to change without notice. Exchange rates will vary according to the market, type of currency and the value of the trade. Along with other fees that may apply, we’ll earn spread revenue of up to 1.8% from a foreign currency conversion.

  • If you close your account, any accrued unpaid advisory fees must be paid. These fees are subject to GST, QST, and/or HST where it applies. You’ll also be charged for any sales, use, goods and services, harmonized sales, value added, and transaction taxes that are a result of transactions made in your account.

To learn more, check out our BMO SmartFolio Fee Schedule

Not sure if SmartFolio is right for you?

We’ve got other investing options

  • InvestorLine Self-Directed

    Online trading

    You’ve got this! Take control of your investments, from research and trading to tracking your portfolio’s progress.

    Learn more
  • InvestorLine adviceDirect

    Online trading with advice

    You’re in charge of trading. We’ll provide personalized support from registered investment advisors, but you make the decisions.

  • BMO SmartFolio

    Online portfolio management

    Get matched with a portfolio based on your goals and we’ll take care of the day-to-day investment management.

Have questions? That’s what we’re here for.

  • Call us

    Questions about your existing account

    Have questions about password reset or any service-related concerns. Call us.

    1-844-895-3721
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  • Let us contact you

    Questions about new and existing accounts

    Have one of our Specialists contact you to discuss your needs.

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