News Releases
BMO Financial Group announced today that the full text of its 2003 Public Accountability Statement has been posted to BMO’s web site at www.bmo.com/community. BMO’s annual Public Accountability Statement documents the many ways that BMO Financial Group delivers on its commitment to serving as a force for good in the marketplace and in the communities where it does business in Canada.
The range of the organization’s commitment is broad, covering areas that include education, health, arts and culture, community development and sports and athletics throughout Canada. A significant portion of BMO’s contribution supports programs and organizations that promote learning.
"We have a responsibility to Canadians, who grant us license to operate,” said Tony Comper, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. “We repay this trust when we succeed as a business, which in turn allows us to help ensure the prosperity and well-being of our society. Throughout our history, BMO Financial Group has recognized – and lived up to – this responsibility to support our customers and communities."
Today, BMO is recognized as one of Canada’s leading corporate benefactors. Last year alone, through its corporate donations and sponsorship programs, BMO contributed $25 million to thousands of charities and not-for-profit organizations across Canada. BMO also encourages a culture of giving back to its communities; many of its employees are active volunteers, giving generously of their time and energy to local initiatives.
"As a leader of this enterprise, I am particularly pleased and proud of how effectively and compassionately BMO and BMO colleagues respond to crisis situations as they arise – and how well we are seen to perform, by the public, and most of all, by the people directly affected," said Mr. Comper. "The strength of our relationships with customers and neighbours in our communities has grown out of a centuries-old tradition of accountability to all of our stakeholders all of the time, reaffirmed daily by the deeds and decisions of thinking, caring people across our enterprise."
BMO has been helping Canada’s communities thrive since it began business in 1817. Today, BMO Financial Group stands as one of the country’s largest employers with more than 31,000 full-time and part-time people and with total employee compensation paid in Canada of more than $2.48 billion. BMO Financial Group’s tax expenses to all levels of government in Canada were more than $1,455 million. The organization also contributes to the economy through its capital expenditures, which last year amounted to $1.23 billion.
Copies of the 2003 Public Accountability Statement will be available, upon request and free of charge, in all BMO Bank of Montreal branches by mid-March and can be downloaded from BMO Financial Group’s website – go to www.bmo.com/community – as of February 23rd.
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