BMO Financial Group Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

BMO Financial Group is a leading, full-service financial services provider that offers a wide range of corporate and investment banking, treasury management, research, and advisory services globally.

As a Software Engineer at BMO, you will play a crucial role in the Global Markets Engineering Team, collaborating closely with Sales, Trading, and Technology teams to enhance and automate sales and trading capabilities. Key responsibilities will include developing analytical tools and trading systems in an agile environment, participating in strategic architectural decisions, and understanding requirements from stakeholders. The ideal candidate should possess strong programming skills, particularly in C++ and Python, along with experience in commodities or FX trading. Additionally, excellent communication skills are essential to effectively liaise with a diverse group of colleagues, including technologists, quants, traders, and sales professionals.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the expectations and key competencies needed for the Software Engineer role at BMO, ensuring you are well-equipped to demonstrate your fit for the position.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at BMO Financial Group is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates are well-suited for the collaborative and dynamic environment of the Global Markets Engineering Team. The process typically unfolds as follows:

1. Application Submission

Candidates begin by submitting their application through BMO's online job portal. This initial step is crucial as it allows the recruitment team to review resumes and identify potential fits for the role based on qualifications and experience.

2. Video Screening

Following the application, candidates may be invited to participate in a video screening interview. This step often involves answering a series of pre-recorded questions that assess both behavioral and situational responses. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their understanding of the company, the role, and current trends in the financial services industry.

3. Technical Screening

Candidates who successfully pass the video screening will typically undergo a technical screening. This may involve a live interview with a technical recruiter or a member of the engineering team, focusing on programming skills, particularly in languages such as Python and C++. Expect questions related to algorithms, data structures, and possibly a coding challenge to demonstrate problem-solving abilities.

4. Team Interviews

The next stage usually consists of one or more interviews with team members. These interviews are designed to evaluate both technical expertise and cultural fit within the team. Candidates can expect a mix of technical questions related to software development, analytics, and trading systems, as well as behavioral questions that explore past experiences and teamwork.

5. Final Interview

In some cases, candidates may have a final interview with higher management or key stakeholders. This round often focuses on strategic thinking, communication skills, and the ability to collaborate across different teams, such as Sales, Trading, and Technology. Candidates should be ready to discuss their previous projects and how they align with BMO's goals.

6. Offer and Negotiation

If selected, candidates will receive an offer, which may be followed by a discussion regarding salary and benefits. BMO emphasizes transparency during this stage, ensuring candidates understand the total compensation package and any additional perks.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may arise during the process.

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

Understand the Interview Process

Familiarize yourself with BMO's interview structure, which typically includes a video screening followed by multiple rounds of interviews. Expect a mix of technical and behavioral questions, with a strong emphasis on your past experiences and how they relate to the role. Be prepared for a technical interview that may involve coding challenges or problem-solving scenarios, particularly in languages like Python and C++. Knowing the interview format will help you feel more at ease and allow you to focus on showcasing your skills.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Given the technical nature of the Software Engineer role, you should be well-versed in algorithms, data structures, and programming concepts. Brush up on your coding skills, especially in Python and C++, as these are crucial for the position. Practice common coding problems, particularly those that involve data manipulation and algorithm design. Additionally, be ready to discuss your experience with analytics and trading software, as this will likely come up during the interview.

Research BMO and the Financial Sector

Demonstrating knowledge about BMO and its position in the financial services industry can set you apart. Understand recent developments, market trends, and how BMO aligns with them. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions about why you want to work at BMO but also allow you to engage in meaningful discussions with your interviewers about the company's direction and your potential contributions.

Communicate Effectively

Strong communication skills are essential for this role, as you will be collaborating with various teams, including Sales, Trading, and Technology. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be prepared to explain complex technical concepts in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

During the interview, you may be presented with hypothetical scenarios or real-world problems to solve. Approach these questions methodically: clarify the problem, outline your thought process, and explain your solution step-by-step. This will not only showcase your technical skills but also your analytical thinking and ability to work under pressure.

Be Yourself and Build Rapport

Interviews at BMO are described as friendly and engaging. Take the opportunity to build rapport with your interviewers by being personable and authentic. Share relevant anecdotes from your past experiences that highlight your skills and fit for the role. This will help create a positive atmosphere and make you more memorable to the interviewers.

Follow Up

After your interview, consider sending a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. This is a chance to reiterate your interest in the position and briefly mention any key points from the interview that you feel are worth emphasizing. A thoughtful follow-up can leave a lasting impression and demonstrate your professionalism.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at BMO Financial Group. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at BMO Financial Group. The interview process will likely focus on technical skills, particularly in programming, algorithms, and system design, as well as behavioral questions that assess your fit within the team and company culture. Familiarize yourself with the following categories and questions to prepare effectively.

Technical Skills

1. What is your experience with C++ and Python?

BMO values strong programming skills, particularly in C++ and Python, as these are essential for developing analytical tools and trading systems.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with both languages, highlighting specific projects or tasks where you utilized them. Mention any frameworks or libraries you are familiar with that are relevant to the role.

Example

“I have over three years of experience using Python for data analysis and automation tasks, particularly with libraries like Pandas and NumPy. In my previous role, I developed a trading algorithm in C++ that improved execution speed by 30%, which was crucial for our trading operations.”

2. Can you explain the process of building a decision tree?

Understanding machine learning concepts is important, especially for roles involving analytics.

How to Answer

Outline the steps involved in building a decision tree, including data preparation, feature selection, and model evaluation.

Example

“To build a decision tree, I start by selecting the dataset and identifying the target variable. I then preprocess the data, handling missing values and encoding categorical variables. Next, I use algorithms like CART to split the data based on feature thresholds, iterating until I reach a stopping criterion. Finally, I evaluate the model using metrics like accuracy and F1 score.”

3. How do you handle concurrency in your applications?

Concurrency is crucial in trading systems where multiple processes may need to run simultaneously.

How to Answer

Discuss your understanding of concurrency models and any specific techniques or tools you have used to manage it.

Example

“I typically use threading and asynchronous programming in Python to handle concurrency. For instance, in a recent project, I implemented asynchronous I/O operations to ensure that my application could handle multiple data streams without blocking, which is essential for real-time trading applications.”

4. Describe a time you optimized a piece of code. What was the outcome?

Optimization is key in financial applications where performance can impact profitability.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a code optimization you performed, detailing the problem, your approach, and the results.

Example

“I once worked on a data processing script that was taking too long to execute. I identified that the bottleneck was in a nested loop that processed large datasets. By refactoring the code to use vectorized operations with NumPy, I reduced the execution time from several minutes to under 30 seconds, significantly improving our data analysis workflow.”

Behavioral Questions

5. Why do you want to work at BMO?

Understanding your motivation for joining the company is important for cultural fit.

How to Answer

Express your interest in BMO’s mission and how it aligns with your career goals. Mention specific aspects of the company that attract you.

Example

“I admire BMO’s commitment to innovation in the financial sector and its focus on creating positive change. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to work in the Global Markets Engineering Team, where I can leverage my technical skills to contribute to impactful trading solutions.”

6. Describe a challenging project you worked on. How did you overcome the challenges?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Choose a project that had significant challenges, explain the obstacles you faced, and detail how you addressed them.

Example

“In my last role, I was tasked with developing a new trading platform under a tight deadline. The main challenge was integrating multiple data sources. I organized daily stand-ups to ensure clear communication among team members and implemented a modular architecture that allowed us to tackle integration in phases. We successfully launched on time, and the platform has since increased trading efficiency by 25%.”

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

Time management is crucial in a fast-paced environment like BMO.

How to Answer

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

Example

“I use a combination of Agile methodologies and task management tools like Jira to prioritize my work. I assess the urgency and impact of each task, focusing on high-priority items that align with project deadlines and team goals. Regular check-ins with my team also help ensure that we are aligned on priorities.”

8. How do you ensure effective communication with non-technical stakeholders?

Communication skills are essential for collaborating with diverse teams.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to simplifying complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences.

Example

“I focus on understanding the needs of non-technical stakeholders and tailor my communication accordingly. I often use visual aids and analogies to explain technical concepts, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. For instance, when discussing a new trading algorithm, I would illustrate its benefits using real-world scenarios that relate to their business objectives.”

Industry Knowledge

9. What current trends in the financial technology industry do you find most interesting?

Staying informed about industry trends is important for innovation.

How to Answer

Discuss specific trends that are relevant to BMO and how they might impact the company.

Example

“I’m particularly interested in the rise of AI and machine learning in trading strategies. These technologies are enabling firms to analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, leading to more informed trading decisions. I believe BMO can leverage these advancements to enhance its trading capabilities and improve client outcomes.”

10. How do you approach risk management in software development?

Risk management is critical in financial applications.

How to Answer

Explain your understanding of risk management principles and how you apply them in your work.

Example

“I approach risk management by first identifying potential risks in the development process, such as security vulnerabilities or performance bottlenecks. I implement best practices like code reviews and automated testing to mitigate these risks. Additionally, I ensure that we have contingency plans in place for critical systems to minimize downtime and impact on trading operations.”