News Releases

BMO Bank of Montreal is today celebrating its 150th anniversary in the southwestern Ontario community of Goderich.

The bank first opened an agency in Goderich in 1853, in a two story building located on West Street at the top of Harbour Hill.  The population of the town was then 2,900 and, prior to the coming of the railway, relied on waterways and the busy harbour for most of its commercial trade.  Although BMO has moved locations several times since then, it still maintains the strong tradition of customer service and support for the local community that it did when it first opened as the town’s first banking house.

"BMO Bank of Montreal has a long and proud history of partnership with Canada’s communities.  Much has changed over the years, but not our desire to help ensure the strength and health of the places where we live and do business," said John Mencel, Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal.

In celebration of this milestone event, BMO Bank of Montreal is using today’s anniversary to announce a number of donations as a way of honouring the community that has been so loyal to it over the years.   These include presentations of $2,000 to the Goderich Business Improvement Association to purchase benches for the Courthouse Square, $2,000 to Camps for Kids and $1,000 to Women Today for their Women's Business Clothing Project for the purchase of a steamer and clothing racks.

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the branch and will include such guests as Paul Steckle, MP Huron-Bruce, and His Worship Mayor Delbert Shewfelt.

BMO Bank of Montreal is a member of BMO Financial Group, one of the largest financial services providers in North America.  BMO Financial Group serves clients across Canada and in the Unites States through its Canadian retail arm, BMO Bank of Montreal, through its Chicago-based Harris Bank, a major U.S. mid-west financial services organization, and through BMO Nesbitt Burns, one of Canada’s leading full-service investment firms.

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