BMO Branch Marks the Fifth New Opening for Bank in Edmonton This Year

    
    Customers are invited to join the 100,000 Canadians that saved
    $67 million using BMO's SmartSteps initiative

    -   Experienced financial services team is Making Money Make Sense in six
        languages
    -   BMO SmartSteps delivers a straightforward approach that adds up to
        real savings
    -   $20,000 donation to Concordia University College
    

EDMONTON , Sept. 23 /CNW/ - On Saturday, September 26 , BMO Bank of Montreal will celebrate the grand opening of its newest branch in Edmonton - the Summerside Branch located in the fast-growing urban communities of Summerside, Ellerslie and Werneville in Southeast Edmonton .

This marks the fifth branch to open in Edmonton by BMO Bank of Montreal . The total investment by BMO in Edmonton this year surpasses $9 million .

"Summerside is a community of choice for younger, first-time house buyers," said Sheri Macdonald , branch manager for the BMO Summerside Branch. "Our recent mortgage reductions give homebuyers the ability to lock-in historically low rates, and our First Home Essentials Kit provides a step-by-step guide to entering the real estate market."

"BMO SmartSteps is just another way we are 'making money make sense' for our customers. It is designed to provide easy banking tips for Canadians so they can easily manage their day-to-day finances," said Dave Cross , Personal Banking Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal . "All it takes to start saving is a 20 minute conversation with one of our experts in a branch."

    
    WHO:      Lynda Taylor, Edmonton District Vice-President, BMO Bank of
              Montreal
              Dave Cross, Personal Banking Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal
              Sheri Macdonald, Summerside Branch Manager, BMO Bank of
              Montreal

    WHAT:     Grand Opening Celebration of Summerside Branch
              Interview Opportunity with Lynda Taylor, Vice President,
              Edmonton District, BMO Bank of Montreal
              Donation to Concordia University College

    WHEN:     Saturday, September 26, 2009, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
              Speeches begin at 12:30 p.m.

    WHERE:    BMO Bank of Montreal, Summerside Branch, 912 - 91st Street SW,
              Edmonton

    Special features of the Summerside Branch:

    -   Staff provides service in six languages - English, French, Italian,
        Spanish, Hindi and Punjabi
    -   Features two ABMs for everyday financial transactions including a
        full-service drive-thru ABM
    -   Ample free parking and wheelchair accessibility to branch and at the
        teller station
    -   Powered by Bullfrog clean energy; BMO is committed to purchase over
        8,300 megawatt hours of emission free electricity annually -
        generated from clean, renewable sources such as wind power and low-
        impact hydro.

    Extended Hours of Operation:

    Monday to Wednesday      10 am to 4 pm
    Thursday and Friday      10 am to 7 pm
    Saturday                 10 am to 3 pm

    BMO SmartSteps:

    "Our new BMO SmartSteps delivers a straightforward approach that can add
up to real savings for customers through reduced fees, lower interest costs
and less money that goes towards taxes," said Lynda Taylor, Edmonton District
Vice-President for BMO Bank of Montreal. "BMO SmartSteps provides customers
with five essential banking tips they can do on the spot as part of their
visit to a branch."

    1.  Generate automatic monthly savings
    2.  Minimize banking fees
    3.  Take years off of mortgage payments and become debt-free quicker
    4.  Start saving tax-free
    5.  Automate money transfers to avoid extra fees.
    

BMO Bank of Montreal and the Canadian Finals Rodeo

BMO Bank of Montreal is in its fourth year as a major sponsor and the Official Bank of the Canadian Finals Rodeo organized by Northlands in Edmonton . BMO's support centres around title sponsor of BMO Family Day, which is on Saturday November 14 at Rexall Place.

For further information: Media Contact: Laurie Grant, [phone], [email protected]