News Releases

NEW WESTMINSTER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 28, 2013) -

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

BMO Bank of Montreal will commemorate 125 years in New Westminster with a celebration at its 6^th Street branch on Wednesday, April 3, 2013.

Customers, dignitaries, and current and former staff are invited to celebrate the 125^th anniversary starting at 11 a.m. Mayor Wayne Wright will join the celebration with remarks to the assembled guests.

"On behalf of city council, I'm proud to offer best wishes and congratulations to BMO for 125 years of service in our city," said Wayne Wright, Mayor, City of New Westminster. "BMO's long-standing commitment to New Westminster is commendable and an important part of the history of our great community."

It was on April 3, 1888 that the Merchant's Bank of Canada (purchased by Bank of Montreal in 1922) opened on what was known as the Douglas Block at the corner of Columbia and McKenzie Streets. This building was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1898 and the bank temporarily conducted its business in the Queen's Hotel, until a new branch was opened at the corner of Columbia and Church Streets in 1899.

New Westminster is experiencing vibrant population growth. According to the most recent Canadian census, the city's population grew 12.7 per cent - nearly double the provincial rate - between 2006 and 2011.

"BMO is especially pleased to celebrate our long history of service to the community of New Westminster," said Guido Titotto, Personal Banking Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal. "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 New Westminster and to have helped our customers achieve their financial goals."

BMO's New Westminster 125^th Anniversary Celebration

Details:
Who:	His Worship Wayne Wright, Mayor, City of New Westminster
	Guido Titotto, Personal Banking Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal
	Mark Wallace, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal
What:	125th Anniversary Celebration of BMO in New Westminster
	•	Complimentary refreshments
	•	Prizes
	•	Formal speeches by Mayor Wayne Wright and BMO representatives
When:	Wednesday, April 3, 2013, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
	•	Formal speeches commence at 11 a.m.
Where:	BMO Bank of Montreal - 125-610 6th Street, New Westminster

Media are invited to the 125^th anniversary celebration and interviews can be arranged with BMO spokespeople upon request.

About BMO Bank of Montreal in British Columbia:

BMO has been serving customers in British Columbia for more than 126 years; the first Bank of Montreal branch in the province opened in Vancouver in 1887, two years after bank vice-president Lord Strathcona drove in the Last Spike of the CPR. BMO's 3,000 B.C. employees are dedicated to making it the bank that defines great customer experience, serving British Columbians through 118 branches. BMO also provides strong support to education, health and social services and arts & culture in B.C. Recent major donations have supported UBC, B.C. Children's Hospital, Streetohome Foundation, Union Gospel Mission, Canuck Place Children's Hospice in Abbotsford and the United Way of the Lower Mainland. BMO Bank of Montreal is also proud to be in its eighth year as title sponsor of the BMO Vancouver Marathon - coming up Sunday, May 5, 2013.

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 $542 billion as at January 31, 2013, and more than 46,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.

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

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