News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 22, 2013) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

BMO Bank of Montreal invites customers and members of the community to celebrate 100 years of offering banking services and advice to the Toronto Beach Community on Friday, August 23^rd, 2013, located at Queen & Woodbine.

"In 1913, BMO proudly opened its first branch in the Beach Community in the City of Toronto - one of the GTA's most celebrated communities," said Andrew Auerbach, Senior Vice President, Greater Toronto Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. "One hundred years later, BMO continues to serve the financial needs of this growing waterfront community which boasts more than 100,000 residents."

Mr. Auerbach noted that the Beach Community has been a particularly strong segment of Toronto's economic landscape, with much of the commercial district of Queen Street East lying in the heart of this community. This corridor continues to attract various independent specialty stores due to its close proximity to public transit.

"For a century, BMO has served the financial needs of the Beach Community," said Mary-Margaret McMahon, Councillor, Beaches-East York, City of Toronto. "I want to congratulate BMO on all its contributions to the Beach Community, including the charitable work and community events they have sponsored, which have immeasurably improved our neighbourhood."

BMO's History in Toronto

In July of 1818, the newly established Bank of Montreal began operations in the settlement of York (now Toronto), which helped pave the way for the establishment of branch-banking in Canada. Bank of Montreal's operations in York facilitated trade between Upper Canada (now Ontario) and Lower Canada (now Quebec), propelling the rapid growth of financial services in the region.

In 1823, Upper Canada's administration decreed that banks redeeming their notes outside of Upper Canada were banned from operating within the province. One such bank affected by this law was Bank of Montreal, and so the Bank was forced to withdraw its operations.

Nineteen years passed and the law was reversed, allowing Bank of Montreal to re-establish itself in the community. By then, the once small settlement of York had expanded to become the City of Toronto.

BMO Anniversary Celebration Details

Who:	Mary-Margaret McMahon, Councillor, Beaches-East York, City of Toronto
	Andrew Auerbach, Senior Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal
	Anna Kozak, Personal Banking Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal Stuart Thompson, Director, Investment Sales, BMO Bank of Montreal
	Myra Kong, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal
What:	100th Anniversary Celebration - Queen & Woodbine Branch
	•	Light refreshments and giveaways
	•	Official ceremony and photo opportunities
	•	An appearance by BMO the Bear
When:	Friday, August 23, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
	•	Formal speeches and photo opportunities to commence at 2:00 p.m.
Where:	BMO Bank of Montreal - 1775 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON

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

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 $555 billion as at April 30, 2013, and more than 46,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Beach-Community.jpg.