Head of Business Banking
BMO
James Duff is the U.S. Head of Business Banking and has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Jim worked with both privately held and public corporations along with and Private Banking clients. Jim also spent nearly five years as a Management Consultant with Ernst & Young helping Financial Services clients with strategy, business process reengineering and technology consultation.
Jim’s tenure with BMO began in 2003. Jim served in a variety of leadership roles in Commercial & Business Banking including Market Manager Regional President and Managing Director of Risk. Jim led BMO Wealth Management’s Banking Practice for over 7 years.
Jim holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Illinois State University with a Double Major in Economics and Finance. Jim has also earned an MBA with a Concentration in Finance from DePaul University.
Jim is active in a number of Not For Profit organizations and other volunteer activities such as, the Women in Need Growing Stronger (WINGs) organization in Chicago, IL, and currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Chicago History Museum. Jim was also recently named A Distinguished Alumni by Illinois State University Department of Economics.
The gap between what small businesses want from their bank and what most deliver has never been wider—or more critical. They want transparency around finances, tailored guidance, and access to capital. Yet many banks fail to deliver these, opening the door for small businesses to turn to fintech rivals.This session explores the latest on small business owner attitudes, expectations, and banking behaviors that provide a data-driven picture of where the market segment is headed. Industry leaders will examine what small business owners most want—instant credit decisions, proactive fraud protection, seamless payments, and genuine advisory support—and why so few banks are consistently delivering it. The discussion will address the specific changes in product design, service model, and digital experience that will determine who wins and who loses the small business relationship.