News Releases

Advanced technology of Phoenix's Commander Software will speed customer transactions and deliver a more personalized customer experience via the bank's Instabank ABM network.

• Customers can set up ‘short cuts' to preferred transactions
• Faster transaction times for customers
• BMO will have ability to tailor personalized messages, alerts and offers based on customer's individual profile and needs  
• Will transform the way the bank utilizes its ABM channel to communicate one-on-one with its customers

TORONTO, Ontario, October 22, 2010 – BMO Bank of Montreal and Phoenix Interactive, today announced an industry-leading development that will change the way the bank and its customers interact via BMO's network of 2100 Instabank ABMs.

BMO will integrate Phoenix's Commander™ software solution with its self-service ABM channel, a step that will allow the bank's customers to set up ABM ‘short cuts' to “preferred” transactions –  such as: ‘My Usual Withdrawal', ‘My Usual Transfer', ‘My Usual Deposit', etc., –  when they log into a BMO Instabank ABM, thus providing a faster and more personalized customer experience. 

The new technology will also give the bank the ability to communicate personally-relevant information and product offers to its individual customers.

“We now have the ability to have more meaningful ‘conversations' with our customers directly via an ABM,” said Andrew Irvine, Vice President, Integrated Distribution, BMO Financial Group. “This new technology will allow us to ‘talk' to you about simple offers (are you interested in increasing your line of credit, for example) and, if you say yes, we can fulfill that need on the spot through our ABM …it's done.”

“Our solution provides real-time customer usage and campaign metrics that are critical for managing an intelligent ABM network,” said Marco Di Cola, Vice President, Business Development, North America.  “Introducing Commander into a self-service network allows a company to target, deliver and manage content in a timely and cost effective manner as well as to manage centrally and target functionality, content and marketing by region, location, time, date and customer and to dramatically reduce the lead times it has traditionally required to develop and deliver customer-tailored messages through its ABM network.”

“We are delighted to be working with Phoenix on what we believe will be the beginning of a significant transformation in the way BMO will utilize this highly valued customer touch-point to communicate with our clients on a one-to-one level,” said Mr. Irvine.  Phoenix's self-service technology continues to lead the industry and we are proud to be working with a partner who shares our vision of where we want to take this channel.”

“This is one of the many ways we are working to define the customer experience,” said Mr. Irvine. 

About BMO Financial Group:

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services organization.  With total assets of $397 billion as of July 31, 2010, and more than 38,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.  The Bank serves more than 10 million personal, commercial, corporate and institutional customers in North America and internationally. Our operating groups – Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal in Canada and Harris in the United States; Private Client Group, our wealth management business; and BMO Capital Markets – share one vision: to be the bank that defines great customer experience. Visit www.bmo.com for additional information.

About Phoenix Interactive Design:

Phoenix Interactive Design, Inc., established in 1987, is the world's leading independent provider of Windows™ based, multi-vendor ATM software for the financial services industry.  With the introduction of the Commander suite of software solutions, Phoenix has once again “raised the bar” in the self-service industry, enabling Banks to further enrich their interactions with their customers and improve the customer experience.

Phoenix's global install base has also maximized profitability in their self-service channels through software independence.  Phoenix's proven vendor neutral self-service software provides the ability to separate hardware and software purchasing decisions, providing greater negotiation power and the flexibility to choose from a variety of ATM hardware manufacturers.  Additional information can be found at www.phoenix-interactive.com.

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For Media Inquiries Contact:

BMO Bank of Montreal

Ralph Marranca, Toronto, ralph.marranca@bmo.com, (416) 867-3996

Laurie Grant, Vancouver, laurie.grant@bmo.com, (604) 665-7596

Sarah Bensadoun, Montreal, sarah.bensadoun@bmo.com, (514) 877-8224

Phoenix Interactive Design, Inc.
Email: marketing@phoenix-interactive.com
Phone: (519) 679-2913