TORONTO, ONTARIO and MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN--(Marketwire - May 24, 2011) - BMO today announced that the bank and its employees are committed to the United Way of Greater Milwaukee.
"BMO and its employees have long helped support the work of United Way in key centers across North America where we do business," said Bill Downe, President and CEO of BMO Financial Group. "We have a proud tradition of partnering with United Way because of the key role it plays: unburdening thousands of local charities from the need to raise funds themselves.
"These agencies – which help children achieve their potential; promote financial stability and provide basic needs to improve people's health and safety – are vital community institutions that improve the lives of many. In fact, they touch one in three people. And we want to be a part of that.
"Each year, BMO employees across the United States and Canada come together in support of a single goal: breaking the cycle of poverty in the markets where we live and work. Poverty and the consequences of poverty — are a self-perpetuating cycle. United Way of Greater Milwaukee is tackling the issue head on."
For more than 193 years, BMO has believed in community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility in the communities it serves. In 2010, BMO contributed more than $54 million in donations, sponsorships and events in North America to groups, organizations and programs that help build and sustain resilient, vital and healthy communities.