Zero Barriers to Business
Through Zero Barriers to Business, we’re committed to helping business owners build financial confidence and navigate resources that support business growth, including:
- Guidance on capital to help you find the right lending options for your business
- Education through access to practical tools, webinars and coaching
- Partnerships with organizations to give you access to meaningful networks and resources
Speak with your Business Banker or find a branch to apply.
Interest rate discount
Through Neighborhood Business Lending, eligible businesses may receive a rate discount ranging from 0.25% to 0.50% on qualifying credit products. footnote 1
What’s included in Zero Barriers to Business
We’re providing various program benefits, which include guidance on capital options, business resources, coaching, and networking opportunities to drive meaningful change in our communities.
Capital guidance and resource navigation
BMO helps business owners better understand lending options and potential pathways to capital including our Neighborhood Business Lending program.
Tools and resources for any stage of your business
A world of resources at your fingertips–coaching, webinars, financial planning tools and more.
Valuable, game-changing networking opportunities
Explore networking opportunities with organizations we’ve partnered with to expand your community.
Announcing the 2026 BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program
We're offering $10,000 grants to small businesses that are supporting the advancement of women.*
We’re excited to present the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program in collaboration with Deloitte. Fifteen small businesses will receive a $10,000 grant to take their businesses to the next level.We’re looking for small business owners who demonstrate their commitment to the advancement of women and can share how their business will further grow if they receive funding through the Grant Program. We recognize that access to funding and capital is a challenge that small business owners often face, that’s why BMO is committed to investing in and supporting small businesses across the U.S. and Canada.The BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program applicants will be judged on their high-level business growth plans (and any challenges the business may face as it grows), how the business supports the advancement of women and intends to grow the business to further this support, and how the business will use the grant to achieve growth.This support might include the following:
- Advancing the public health or safety of women or girls
- Producing or offering products and services designed for women or girls
- Promoting education of women or girls, such as mentorship, financial literacy, or skills training
Applications for the 2026 program are currently closed. Thank you to all our applicants. Grant recipients will be announced in July 2026. BMO or its designated representative will contact applicants who are selected to advance through each stage of the grant selection process for additional information.
Key dates:
- Application window opened: April 2, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. EST
- Application window closed: April 23, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. EST
- May: Semi-finalists notified
- June: Finalists notified
- Early July: Grant recipients notified
- Mid July: Grant recipients announced
Announcing the 2025 BMO Celebrating Women Grant Recipients
In 2025, we awarded fifteen $10,000 grants to small businesses with excellent business growth plans. Meet some of the grant recipients below:
Zero Barriers to Business & Neighborhood Business Lending FAQs
Zero Barriers to Business can help by providing access to capital through coaching and resource navigation. Zero Barriers to Business also provides opportunities for educational workshops and networking to further strengthen your business and support your long-term growth.
You can send an email to ZeroBarrierstoBusiness@bmo.com and we will reach out to you in two to four business days.
To keep up with upcoming events and webinars, follow us on BMO's social channels or sign up for the Business Banking Newsletter.
Neighborhood Business Lending is a geography-based specialty lending program that determines eligibility based on where a business operates or where the majority of its owners live.
Small businesses may qualify if the business or the majority of its owners live in eligible geographies such as low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities, rural areas, and distressed or underserved middle-income geographies. Standard credit criteria apply.
If your business is located in a low or moderate income (LMI) community, rural area, and/or distressed or underserved middle-income geography, and/or a majority of owners live in one of these areas, the benefit will apply automatically. For more information and to determine if you are in one of these areas, visit the FFIEC map.
Tools and resources
Get educational resources for your business
Get the latest advice for growing your business
How to choose a business name
What’s in a name? If you’re starting a business, a lot. Your business name can help make or break your new venture – which means you’ll want to choose wisely.
Benefits of a business bank account
It might seem easier to use your personal bank account for business transactions, but there are plenty of benefits to opening a business account. Check them out.
How to choose the right business structure as an entrepreneur
The right business structure can protect you from liability and save money on taxes. Here’s how to find the best structure for your company.
Tips to recession proof your business
Use these strategies and tips to get your business ready for a possible recession – keep money coming in and make a plan to rebuild when conditions improve.
How to increase your sales in 90 days
With the right plan in place, you can quickly boost your sales and earn more revenue. Here’s how.
Access tools and calculators to help your business succeed
Tax time checklist for business owners
Filing taxes can be stressful. To make your tax season easier, we’ve put together a checklist for business owners to help organize your tax preparation process. footnote 2
Demystifying Lending Guide: A closer look at business loan approvals (PDF)
Lending decisions are based on a number of different factors, such as credit scores and performance history. Download this guide to uncover the loan approval process.
Business plan template
Creating and regularly revisiting your business plan can help you stay ahead of market trends and competition. Use this template as a guide to create a clear, compelling, and concise business plan.
Growing your business checklist
(PDF, 2.3 MB)
Growing a business is different from launching a business because you’ve got experience on your side. Use this checklist for ideas you can use right now to help grow your business.
Profit improvement calculator
Discover how small improvements to key business metrics can help you turn a bigger profit fast.
Cash flow forecasting template
(PDF, 1.4 MB, download recommended)
Use this forecasting tool to prepare for successful cash management and positive cash flow.
Learn practical business tips from our videos
Applying for a business loan
Learn what scenarios to consider when deciding how much to borrow so you can achieve your goals.
Financial management for business
How would you rate your ability to talk about your numbers? Increase your financial literacy with these helpful tips.
Social media best practices
In this webinar, join BMO Experts Reni Odetoyinbo and Vachon Harper-Young who will cover the many aspects of social media.
Listen to Bold(h)er podcast
Hosted by seasoned journalist and entrepreneur Lisa Bragg, Bold(h)er delivers thought-provoking conversations that inspire listeners to make their own bold moves in business and in life.
Coach in Your Corner: Let’s talk business
Sign up for a 30-minute, one-on-one coaching session with a BMO banker for advice on financial topics that matter to you. Whether you want to learn more about applying for a business loan or managing business deposit accounts, we are well versed on a number of topics to help you make real financial progress. footnote 4 Request your free session, which can be held virtually or in person (in-person availability may be limited).
Ongoing – register today!- Flexible appointment times available
Take the next step toward better business banking
Email us
Connect with a program manager to learn more about Zero Barriers to Business.
Visit us
Meet with a BMO banker to talk about how we can help your business.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get free business resources, tips and advice created by business banking experts.
*No purchase necessary. Footnote 1 details For businesses with annual revenues of $10 million or less and total combined credit exposure at BMO of $1 million or less, that: (i) are either a) physically located in an LMI census tract, Rural census tract, or Distressed or Underserved Middle-Income Geography census tract, or (b) at least 51% of owners in the aggregate reside in an LMI census tract, Rural census tract, or Distressed or Underserved Middle-Income Geography census tract, and (ii) have a physical business presence (or if no physical location, a mailing address for their headquarters) located in at least one of the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, IL, IN, IA, MIFootnote star, star, MN, NV, NM, OR, TXFootnote star, star, UT, WA, WI. Sole proprietors, general partnerships, and nonprofit corporations are eligible. Footnote star, star details Businesses located in Michigan or Texas must be within 100 miles of a BMO full-service retail financial center.
Qualifying credit products include all BMO Business Banking lending products except for credit cards.
Final discounted rate, reflecting a discount ranging from 0.25% to 0.50%, will be determined at the time of credit approval.
Footnote 2 details BMO Bank N.A. and its affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice. You should review your particular cicrcumstances with your independent legal and tax advisors.