BMO Financial Group Announces Over $2 Million in Donations to Community Programs in B.C. to Mark BMO's Bicentennial

• During this year as part of #BMO200, the bank invites Canadians to wish it forward in big and small ways at www.BMO200.com, or at one of the digital fountains

VANCOUVER, June 19, 2017 /CNW/ - BMO Financial Group announced today that it is donating over $2 million to neighborhood programs throughout British Columbia in 2017 to mark BMO's 200th year in business, including over $1.8 million in the Vancouver area.

More than two dozen community organizations in Vancouver have or will receive donations from BMO in 2017, including contributions to:

• The Vancouver Public Library to go towards renovation and development of the 8^th and 9^th floors;
• Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation to help with expansion of several spaces in the hospital;
• Penticton Regional Hospital towards construction of the new patient tower;
• Peace Arch Hospital towards the renovation and expansion of the ER unit; and
• Ronald McDonald House to support the construction of a new House. BMO's gift will be earmarked for the naming of one of the Family Rooms.

Continued support of Arts & Culture will be seen by:

• Bard on the Beach Theatre Society with BMO as lead sponsor of the main stage theatre tent; and
• Arts Club Theatre Company with season sponsorship, in addition to the 2014 pledge of $1.5 million for the naming of the BMO Theatre Centre.

"We are so pleased to mark our bicentennial year with a number of community initiatives and donations in the province, that reinforce the bank's legacy of giving back," said Michael Bonner, Senior Vice President and Regional Head, B.C. & Yukon Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. "We're proud to be Canada's first bank, and to continue to have a positive impact on the customers and areas where we do business. We invite our customers to join us in wishing it forward for an even better tomorrow."

Mr. Bonner added that BMO plans to announce an additional $2 million in B.C. donations over the next few months to close out the bicentennial year. The bank also supports the community through long-standing relationships with organizations including the B.C. Institute of Technology, B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation, the Vancouver Art Gallery Association, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Vancouver Aquarium and the University of British Columbia.

To add to the celebration in 2017, BMO will continue to grant wishes across a number of categories, such as Green, Togetherness, Legacy, and Community, through their BMO200 program. The bank is calling on individuals and organizations to wish it forward by visiting www.BMO200.com or by visiting one of the interactive BMO200 fountains, one of which is stopping in Vancouver today.

To make a wish, please visit www.BMO200.com.

BMO's History in Vancouver
With the opening of its branch in Vancouver in 1887 – the first permanent banking establishment in the province, and BMO's first branch west of the Rockies – Bank of Montreal was represented from coast-to-coast for the first time. Since then, the bank's presence has grown steadily as British Columbia has grown to be Canada's third most populous province and Vancouver its gateway to the Pacific. For 130 years, BMO has been an active and enthusiastic participant in the life of Vancouver.

About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817, and currently marking its 200th year of operations, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of $719 billion as of April 30, 2017, and more than 45,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group

Michelle Agnelo, Toronto, [e-mail], [phone], Web: www.bmo.com, Twitter: @BMOmedia