$1.6 Million Multi-lingual BMO Bank of Montreal Branch Opens in West Edmonton

The Grange gains a green-powered business

BMO Bank of Montreal today opened a new 5,000 square foot personal and commercial banking branch in Hampton Market, a new shopping and commercial centre located just off Anthony Henday Drive.

BMO’s investment of $1.6 million in the new Hampton Market branch is further proof of the bank’s optimism in growing its business in West Edmonton.

The Hampton Market BMO branch at 6220 – 199TH Street is in The Grange, a fast growing community; home to a diverse population. Led by branch manager Linda McLeod, there will be 17 employees providing the full range of financial services in English, French, Ukrainian, Italian, Turkish, Hindi and Arabic.

“Our employees, to include an investment advisor from BMO Nesbitt Burns and a BMO Financial Group financial planner, will be eager to offer knowledgeable and professional information and financial solutions to all our existing and new BMO customers,” said Ms. McLeod. “To demonstrate this commitment we are offering a $100 cash deposit to all new customers who open a new chequing account between March 10th and April 12th and make an automatic pay deposit or bill payment to that account by July 12th, 2008.

“As well, BMO customers can collect AIR MILES reward miles whenever and wherever they make purchases using their BMO Bank of Montreal debit card,” said Lynda Taylor, Vice President, Edmonton District, BMO Bank of Montreal.

“No other bank can help you collect faster and redeem quicker and we are the only major financial institution that rewards both debit purchases and credit card purchases with a comprehensive choice of more than 800 reward and travel options,” added Ms. Taylor.

Features of the new BMO branch include:

* Access to commercial account and deposit services;
* Two Instabank automated banking machines (ABM), including a drive-through ABM;
* Ample parking for BMO customers; and
* Full wheelchair accessibility.

BMO also announced that the branch will receive its electricity from Bullfrog Power, which provides homes and businesses in Ontario and Alberta with electricity generated from clean, renewable sources like wind power and low-impact hydro. BMO has purchased 5,000 Megawatt Hours per year of clean, emission-free electricity from Bullfrog Power.

BMO’s Hampton Market branch will operate from:

* 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays;
* 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; and
* 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.