News Releases

KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 30, 2011) -

Editors Note: There are 2 photos available with this Press Release.

BMO Bank of Montreal is celebrating the 100^th anniversary of BMO's first branch to open in Kamloops on September 1^st from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Kamloops BMO Main Office Branch.

On September 1^st, 1911, BMO opened its first branch in Kamloops on Victoria Street, between Third and Fourth Avenues, in the Lee building, with Mr. E.S.V. McClintock as the branch manager. At the time, the population of Kamloops was just over 3000 and agriculture, ranching and the railroad business were the main economic drivers in the community.

In 1925, the bank moved into a two-storey building at the corner of Victoria Street and Second Avenue and was there for many decades. It went through a major renovation in 1958 with the addition of 1330 square feet of space and upgrades – replacing the steam heating and installing florescent lighting.

Since then, the 1925 building was replaced in the 1970s and two additional BMO branches were built in Kamloops, including the Summit Shopping Centre BMO branch which opened in 2007. The 13,700 square foot, two-storey branch represents an investment of $2.6 million in the local community and currently offers more than 50 on-site staff members, including senior lenders, mortgage specialists, financial planners, commercial bankers and BMO Nesbitt Burns advisors.

Over the century, BMO and its employees have played an active role in developing the community, serving on multiple boards, including the Board of Trade and the Royal Inland Hospital board, and volunteering with various local civic organizations. Today, BMO remains heavily involved in the social and economic growth of Kamloops, witnessing this once rural village develop into a major economic centre in the Thompson-Nicola District - supporting its growth in the local forestry, pulp and paper and mining industries.

To honour BMO's 100 years in Kamloops, a celebratory event, complete with historical mementos, will take place at the Kamloops Main Office Branch located at 101F-1180 Columbia Street.

"In celebrating our 100^th anniversary, we want to acknowledge and thank our customers for their long-standing support. We are proud to have contributed to the social and business life of Kamloops over the past 100 years and to have helped our customers achieve their financial goals," said Josie Boon, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal.

Kamloops BMO Bank of Montreal 100^th Anniversary Celebration Details:

Who:	Peter Milobar, Mayor of Kamloops
	Cathy McLeod, MP, Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo
	Sean Armstrong, Vice President, BC Interior, North & Yukon; Maureen Vanin, Personal Banking Area Manager; Peter Aarestad, Commercial Banking Area Manager and Josie Boon, Kamloops Main Office Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal;
	Harvey Comazzetto, Vice President, BMO Nesbitt Burns
	Kirk O'Brien, BMO Harris Private Banking
What:	Kamloops BMO branch 100th Anniversary Celebration
	• Complimentary refreshments and cake
	• Great giveaways and prizes
	• Photo opportunities
When:	Thursday, September 1, 2011, 11am – 1pm
	Speech and photo opportunities at 11:30 a.m.
Where:	BMO Bank of Montreal, 101F-1180 Columbia Street, Kamloops

Media are invited to the 100^th anniversary celebration and interviews can be arranged with BMO personnel.

To view the photos associated with this release, please visit the following links:

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20110830-kamloops800.jpg

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20110830-kamloops2800.jpg