BMO Financial Group Business Intelligence Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

BMO Financial Group is a leading financial institution that provides a diverse range of banking and investment services, committed to creating lasting, positive change for its customers and communities.

The Business Intelligence role at BMO focuses on facilitating decision-making and analysis related to credit information to support effective lending practices. Key responsibilities include analyzing financial statements, credit bureau reports, and tax returns to provide accurate risk assessments and financial analyses. A successful candidate will not only possess strong SQL skills, as this is crucial for data extraction and manipulation, but will also display proficiency in SAS for advanced analytics. Additional skills in logic and analytical thinking are vital to navigate complex financial data and inform lending decisions. The ideal candidate will align with BMO's core values of collaboration, respect, and innovation, and demonstrate a commitment to delivering exceptional client service while adhering to internal policies and regulations.

This guide will prepare you to tackle relevant technical and behavioral questions, ensuring you communicate your fit for the role and for BMO’s mission effectively.

The interview process for a Business Intelligence role at BMO Financial Group is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates are well-rounded and fit for the company's culture.

1. Initial HR Interview

The first step in the interview process is a conversation with a Human Resources representative. This initial interview typically lasts around 30-45 minutes and focuses on understanding your background, experiences, and motivations. Expect to answer behavioral questions that gauge your alignment with BMO's values and culture. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company and the role.

2. Technical Interview with Hiring Manager

Following the HR interview, candidates will meet with the hiring manager for a more in-depth technical evaluation. This interview is designed to assess your proficiency in key areas relevant to the Business Intelligence role, such as SQL and SAS. You may be presented with logic-based questions that test your analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. This round is crucial as it evaluates your technical skills and your ability to apply them in real-world scenarios.

3. Final Assessment (if applicable)

In some cases, there may be a final assessment or additional interview round, which could involve a case study or a practical exercise. This step is intended to further evaluate your analytical skills and your approach to data-driven decision-making. It may also include discussions on how you would handle specific business intelligence challenges relevant to BMO.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise in these discussions.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Prepare for a Two-Step Interview Process

Expect a structured two-step interview process at BMO Financial Group. The first interview will likely be with an HR representative, focusing on your personal background and behavioral expectations. Prepare to articulate your experiences clearly and demonstrate how they align with BMO's values. The second interview will be more technical, so be ready to dive deep into your knowledge of SQL, SAS, and logic skills. Familiarize yourself with common SQL queries and SAS functionalities, as these will be critical in showcasing your technical expertise.

Master SQL and SAS

Given the emphasis on SQL and SAS in the role, ensure you are well-versed in both. Practice writing complex SQL queries, including joins, subqueries, and aggregations. For SAS, brush up on data manipulation techniques and statistical analysis. Consider working through sample problems or projects that require you to apply these skills in real-world scenarios. This will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your hands-on experience during the interview.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

BMO values analytical and problem-solving skills highly. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you utilized these skills to solve complex problems or make data-driven decisions. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight your thought process and the impact of your actions. This will help interviewers see your ability to analyze data and derive meaningful insights.

Understand the Company Culture

BMO emphasizes collaboration, respect, and inclusivity. Familiarize yourself with their corporate culture and values, and think about how your personal values align with theirs. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for working in a team-oriented environment and your commitment to fostering positive relationships with colleagues and clients. This will demonstrate that you are not only a technical fit but also a cultural fit for the organization.

Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers

Asking insightful questions can set you apart from other candidates. Prepare questions that reflect your interest in the role and the company, such as inquiries about team dynamics, ongoing projects, or opportunities for professional development. This shows that you are proactive and genuinely interested in contributing to BMO's success.

Practice Behavioral Questions

Behavioral questions are a significant part of the interview process. Prepare for questions that explore your past experiences, focusing on how you handled challenges, worked in teams, and made decisions. Use specific examples that highlight your skills and align with the qualifications outlined in the job description. This preparation will help you respond confidently and effectively during the interview.

By following these tips, you will be well-equipped to navigate the interview process at BMO Financial Group and demonstrate your potential as a valuable addition to their Business Intelligence team. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Intelligence interview at BMO Financial Group. The interview process will likely assess both your technical skills and your ability to analyze and interpret data effectively. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of SQL, SAS, and logical reasoning, as well as your understanding of financial analysis and risk assessment.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between INNER JOIN and LEFT JOIN in SQL?

Understanding SQL joins is crucial for data manipulation and retrieval.

How to Answer

Discuss the purpose of each join type and provide a brief example of when you would use them.

Example

“An INNER JOIN returns only the rows where there is a match in both tables, while a LEFT JOIN returns all rows from the left table and the matched rows from the right table. For instance, if I have a table of customers and a table of orders, an INNER JOIN would show only customers who have placed orders, whereas a LEFT JOIN would show all customers, including those who haven’t placed any orders.”

2. How would you handle missing data in a dataset?

Handling missing data is a common challenge in data analysis.

How to Answer

Explain various strategies for dealing with missing data, such as imputation or removal, and the implications of each method.

Example

“I would first assess the extent and nature of the missing data. If it’s minimal, I might choose to remove those records. For larger gaps, I could use imputation techniques, such as filling in missing values with the mean or median, or using predictive modeling to estimate the missing values based on other data points.”

3. Describe a complex SQL query you have written. What was its purpose?

This question assesses your practical experience with SQL.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a query you wrote, explaining its components and the problem it solved.

Example

“I once wrote a complex SQL query to analyze customer purchase patterns. It involved multiple JOINs across several tables, including customers, orders, and products. The query aggregated data to show total sales by product category for each customer segment, which helped the marketing team tailor their campaigns effectively.”

4. What is SAS, and how have you used it in your previous work?

SAS is a powerful tool for data analysis, and familiarity with it is often required.

How to Answer

Briefly describe SAS and provide an example of how you have utilized it for data analysis or reporting.

Example

“SAS is a software suite used for advanced analytics, business intelligence, and data management. In my previous role, I used SAS to perform statistical analysis on customer data, which helped identify trends and inform our product development strategy.”

5. Can you explain a time when you had to analyze financial data to make a recommendation?

This question evaluates your analytical skills in a financial context.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where your analysis led to a significant decision or recommendation.

Example

“I analyzed the financial statements of a potential client and identified discrepancies in their cash flow projections. Based on my analysis, I recommended a more conservative lending approach, which ultimately minimized our risk exposure and ensured the client was better positioned for future growth.”

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

1. How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question assesses your organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization and any tools or methods you use.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on deadlines and the impact they have on the overall project goals. I often use project management tools to keep track of my tasks and ensure I’m focusing on high-impact activities first. Regular check-ins with my team also help me adjust priorities as needed.”

2. Describe a situation where you had to solve a complex problem. What was your approach?

This question evaluates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the problem, your approach, and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous role, we faced a significant drop in customer satisfaction scores. I led a root cause analysis, gathering data from customer feedback and operational metrics. By identifying key pain points, we implemented targeted improvements, which resulted in a 20% increase in satisfaction scores within three months.”

3. How do you ensure the accuracy of your data analysis?

Accuracy is critical in business intelligence roles.

How to Answer

Discuss the methods you use to validate your data and analysis.

Example

“I ensure accuracy by cross-referencing my findings with multiple data sources and conducting peer reviews of my analysis. Additionally, I perform sanity checks on the data to identify any anomalies before drawing conclusions.”

4. Can you give an example of how you’ve used data visualization to communicate findings?

Data visualization is key in presenting complex information clearly.

How to Answer

Share an example of a visualization you created and how it helped convey your message.

Example

“I created a series of dashboards using Tableau to visualize sales performance across different regions. The visualizations highlighted trends and outliers, making it easier for stakeholders to understand the data and make informed decisions about resource allocation.”

5. What steps do you take to stay updated on industry trends and technologies?

This question assesses your commitment to continuous learning.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for staying informed about industry developments.

Example

“I regularly read industry publications, attend webinars, and participate in professional networks. I also take online courses to learn about new tools and technologies that can enhance my analytical skills and improve my work efficiency.”