News Releases

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 3, 2012) - BMO Bank of Montreal invites customers and members of the community to celebrate the grand opening of its new full-service Mill Woods branch in southeast Edmonton, at 5503 23^rd Avenue on Saturday, May 5, 2012.

The new open-concept branch offers customers extended banking hours seven days a week and is designed to provide a great banking experience through a variety of financial services and conveniences, including:

• A free coin counter - a simple-to-use kiosk which counts your loose change;
• Services provided in ten languages;
• Access to commercial account and deposit services;
• Total of four ATMs including a drive-thru ATM; and
• Barrier-free access.

"Alberta's economy significantly outperformed the national average in 2011, with real GDP growing 5 per cent," said Robert Kavcic, Economist, BMO Capital Markets. "High oil prices are fuelling the energy sector; which, in turn, is driving strong labour market performance. Alberta should remain atop the growth leader board in the coming years."

"With the spring home buying season underway, we encourage new and existing members of the community to come in and speak with our team about their home financing needs," said Lyle Arnelien, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal. "BMO offers a new 10-year mortgage with a maximum 25-year amortization, which is modeled after our award-winning 5-year maximum 25-year amortization mortgage."

Mr. Arnelien added that choosing a shorter amortization allows Canadians to build equity sooner and save on interest costs. For example, on a $400,000 mortgage at a five per cent interest rate, moving from a 30-year to a 25-year amortization can save upwards of $70,000 in interest over the life of the mortgage.

In celebration of the branch opening, customers who make an appointment to meet with a Financial Services Manager at the Mill Woods branch before May 31, 2012 to discuss their home financing options will have a chance to win $1,000.

In addition, customers who use BMO's new Coin Counter at the Mill Woods branch and deposit the funds into a new Premium Rate Savings Account before May 31 will receive a matched deposit from BMO of up to $25.

BMO's Mill Woods branch extended hours of operation are:

• 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Wednesday;
• 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday;
• 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday; and
• 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

Grand Opening Details:

Who:	Naresh Bhardwaj, MLA (Edmonton - Ellerslie)
	Kerry Diotte, Councillor, Ward 11, City of Edmonton
	Todd Terry, Personal Banking Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal
	Lyle Arnelien, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal
What:	Grand Opening Celebration - Mill Woods Branch
	•	Great giveaways and a raffle draw with the chance to win an Apple iPad 3
	•	Formal celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony
	•	Family-fun activities including face painting, a balloon twister, photo opportunities with BMO the Bear and a complimentary BBQ
When:	Saturday, May 5, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
	•	Speeches and ribbon-cutting will commence at noon
Where:	BMO Bank of Montreal: 5503 23rd Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6L 7B9

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly-diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $538 billion as at January 31, 2012, and more than 47,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.