BMO Brings Clarity to Financial Decisions for Customers in Scarborough

    
    -   BMO re-opens larger branch to accommodate continued growth in
        Scarborough
    -   MP John McKay, MPP Margarett Best, and Councillor Paul Ainslie to
        join in celebration
    -   BMO to give away 1300 AIRMILES Reward Miles in celebration of new
        branch
    

SCARBOROUGH, ON, Dec. 4 /CNW/ - BMO Bank of Montreal is celebrating the re-opening of its expanded Guildwood Parkway branch on Saturday, December 5 , in Scarborough at 99 Guildwood Parkway. The full-service branch has increased both its size and staff in order to accommodate the region's diverse and growing community.

The branch staff includes a team of 11 financial professionals, including a BMO Nesbitt Burns Investment Advisor and BMO Financial Planner who can collectively provide a full range of financial services and advice in both English and Farsi.

"Guildwood is a very tight knit enclave where residents value their community based services," said Lisa Ramrup, BMO Bank of Montreal . "Our new relocated branch will bring teller services, six days a week operations and on-site wealth management to accommodate the needs of this community."

"BMO is all about Making Money Make Sense for our customers by helping them simplify their savings plans, especially during these economic times," said Bill Crook , Personal Banking Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal . "We are pleased to offer historically low mortgage rates and advice. First-time homebuyers have the ability to get pre-approved and lock in at low rates if they are not ready to buy at this time, and our First Home Essentials Kit can provide a step-by-step guide to help customers better understand the real estate market," he added.

"The GTA represents the heart of the Canadian economy, home to the financial centre and a diverse range of Fortune 500 businesses," said Robert Kavcic, Economist, BMO Financial Group. "The city's population has expanded at a steady 2.3 per cent annual rate over the past decade, boosting construction activity and lifting home values by about 5 per cent annually. Scarborough is an important part of the Toronto economy, which continues to see steady population growth thanks to its popularity as a location for new Canadians."

    
    Who:   Hon. Margarett Best, Ontario Minister of Health Promotion and MPP,
           Scarborough-Guildwood

           Hon. John McKay, Privy Council, MP, Scarborough-Guildwood

           Councillor Paul Ainslie, Ward 43, Scarborough

           Lily Capriotti, District Vice-President, GTA Central, BMO Bank of
           Montreal

           Bill Crook, Personal Banking Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal

           Lisa Ramrup, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal

    When:  Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    Where: BMO Bank of Montreal
           99 Guildwood Parkway
           Scarborough, ON

    What:   9:30 a.m. - Complimentary Breakfast & Refreshments
           10:30 a.m. - Speeches
           10:45 a.m. - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
           11:50 a.m. - Raffle prizes and giveaways including AIRMILES Reward
                        Miles

    Hours of operation:

    Monday - Wednesday    9:30 am - 4:00 pm
    Thursday & Friday     9:30 am - 7:00 pm
    Saturday              9:30 am - 3:00 pm
    

BMO SmartSteps

The BMO SmartSteps program delivers a straightforward approach that can add up to real savings for customers through lower fees, lower interest costs and minimizing your taxes.,

    
    BMO Smartsteps includes ways to:
    1.  Generate automatic monthly savings;
    2.  Minimize banking fees;
    3.  Take years off of mortgage payments and become debt-free quicker;
    4.  Open a Tax Free Savings Account
    5.  Automate money transfers to avoid extra fees.
    

BMO in Scarborough

BMO has been an active member of the Scarborough community since it opened its first branch there in 1952. BMO has also been a proud supporter of various events within the area which include:

    
    -   The BMO Symposium and Business Outlook for Newcomers to Canada
    -   The Rouge Valley Health System
    -   The Ontario Chamber of Commerce Consuls General where 20 countries
        came together in the business community to increase trade
        developments
    -   Sponsor of the "BMO Ode to Joy," The Chinese Cultural Centre's
        Imperial Ball, "Yee Hong's Dragon Ball," and The Mon Sheong
        Foundation
    

For further information: Martha McInnis, [phone], [email protected]