News Releases

VICTORIA, July 25, 2008 – BMO Financial Group's support of the North American Indigenous Games kicks into high gear as more than 40 BMO Bank of Montreal employees from Vancouver Island prepare to volunteer at the Games.

The Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games will take place from August 3 to 10 in the Duncan area of Vancouver Island. This international celebration of youth, sport and culture, featuring 15 sport competitions and a large-scale cultural festival, will showcase elite Indigenous athletes and artists from across Canada and the United States.

As a silver level sponsor, BMO Bank of Montreal is pleased to support three sports in the Games – archery, badminton and Canada's official national summer sport, lacrosse.

“With thousands of athletes and cultural performers, the North American Indigenous Games event should prove to be an exciting time for volunteers and spectators and a major boost to the local economy,” said Mike Suzuki, Vice President, Vancouver Island, BMO Bank of Montreal. “We are very pleased to lend our support and cheer on the athletes.”

Aboriginal Banking at BMO Bank of Montreal was created in 1992 to contribute to the self-sufficiency of Aboriginal peoples across Canada. Today the Bank continues its work in building mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal communities, businesses and individuals.

“Our relationships with Aboriginal peoples go beyond business,” says Doug Bourque, Director of Aboriginal Banking for BMO in British Columbia. “We are very supportive of arts and cultural events and organizations as well as providing Aboriginal scholarships at many universities and colleges in BC and across Canada.”

BMO has three full service branches located on First Nations territories in BC - Tsahaheh Branch (Tseshaht First Nation), Park Royal Branch in West Vancouver (Squamish Nation) and Westbank Branch in the Okanagan (Westbank First Nation).

About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. In 2007, BMO contributed $50.4 million in corporate donations, sponsorships and events, supporting communities and thousands of charities and not-for-profit organizations across Canada. In British Columbia and Yukon Division, BMO has over 3,000 employees and serves customers from 142 BMO Bank of Montreal branches, six BMO Nesbitt Burns offices and five BMO Harris Private Banking offices.

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