News Releases

ST. MARYS, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 31, 2012) -

Editors Note: There are two photos associated with this press release.

BMO Bank of Montreal is celebrating the 150^th anniversary of its branch in St. Marys on September 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Customers, media and members of the community are invited to come out to the branch at 136 Queen Street and browse through historical pictures and archival facts, while socializing with friends and neighbours and enjoying refreshments.

As part of this occasion, BMO will also host the Stratford & District Chamber of Commerce Business after Five event at the branch, starting at 5:15 p.m.

BMO was the first bank to be located in St. Marys and opened its first branch in September 1862. The branch was situated in a two-storey square stone building on Water Street, which was then the centre of the business district. Before moving to its current location on Queen Street in 1892, the branch was housed in three-storey building at the corner of Church and Jones. The current location, which has seven on-site staff members - including senior lenders, mortgage specialists, a commercial banker and a BMO Nesbitt Burns advisor - retains much of its historical character.

"In celebrating our 150^th anniversary, we want to thank our customers for their long-standing support," said Mark Lewis, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal. "We are proud to be the very first bank in St. Marys, to have been able to contribute to the social and business life of the town over the past 150 years and to have helped our customers achieve their financial goals," said Mark Lewis, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal.

Over the last 150 years, BMO and its employees have played an active role in developing the community, serving on multiple boards including the Chamber of Commerce, St. Marys Ringette, the Rotary and the Pyramid Centre, as well as volunteering with various local civic organizations. Today, BMO remains heavily involved in the social and economic growth of St. Marys, and has witnessed this once rural village of 1,500, when the branch first opened, grow to 7,000 and develop into a business and entrepreneurial hub in Perth County.

Media are invited to the 150^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/20120827-StMarys100th800.jpg

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20120827-HillyardR800.jpg

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.