News Releases

BMO Employees Raise over $2.3 Million for United Way of Greater Toronto

TORONTO, April 20, 2009 – The annual BMO Employee Charitable Foundation United Way campaign of Toronto raised more than $2.3 million in 2008.

The highly successful 2008 campaign involved nearly 2,000 BMO employees in the Toronto area who participated in special events and donated their time and money to the United Way.

“There is a strong tradition of generosity on the part of the people who work here. Our belief in the importance of giving back is fundamental to the definition of who we are as a company. Once again, BMO employees have shown their generosity and commitment to the community through their tremendous support of our annual BMO Employee Charitable Foundation United Way Campaign of Toronto, raising over two million dollars for our local community last year,” said Bill Downe, President and CEO, BMO Financial Group and 2009 Chairman of the Campaign Cabinet for United Way of Greater Toronto. “Making a contribution is important, even more so in a challenging economic environment- as these are times when those with less feel it most acutely,” added Downe.

“At a time of great economic uncertainty for many people and their families in our community, BMO employees worked harder and dug deeper this year for United Way,” said United Way Toronto Chief Development Officer, Susan McIsaac. “BMO's remarkable contribution will make a difference every single day across Toronto and will ensure stable funding to United Way agencies."

For more than 188 years, BMO Financial Group has believed in community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility in the communities it serves. In 2008, BMO contributed $55.9 million in donations, sponsorships and events in Canada and the United States to groups, organizations and programs that help build and sustain resilient, vital and healthy communities.

- 30 -