Making Money Make Sense in New Westminster, B.C.: BMO Bank of Montreal Opens
$1.2 Million Bank Branch

    
    -  Branch staff to provide financial services advice in six languages
    -  New building fuelled by clean energy from Bullfrog Power
    -  Customers are welcome to come in and learn about BMO's five-year fixed
       mortgage at 3.95 per cent with 25-year amortization to help Canadians
       become mortgage-free faster
    

NEW WESTMINSTER, BC, April 12 /CNW/ - BMO Bank of Montreal today opened a new state-of-the-art branch located in the Columbia Square Plaza at 120-66 10th St, in New Westminster, British Columbia.

Branch Manager Samantha Harrison will lead a team of seven professionals who, collectively, will provide personal and commercial financial services advice in six languages including: English, French, Cantonese, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.

The branch is BMO's second in New Westminster. "BMO is committed to expanding its presence in the Greater Vancouver Area and providing an exceptional customer experience. The New Westminster area is progressively developing and we look forward to working with and supporting its economic growth," said Joanne Gassman, District Vice-President, Vancouver Suburban District, BMO Bank of Montreal. "New Westminster residents will have access to expert financial advice, whether it's finding the right mortgage solution or planning for retirement. Our customers can start putting money back in their pockets by taking advantage of programs such as BMO SmartSteps," she added.

BMO SmartSteps provides a straightforward approach to savings through lower fees, lower interest costs and minimizing taxes. Following a 20-minute conversation with their banker, customers set aside savings each month, reduce their banking fees, cut the number of years they make mortgage payments and begin paying less income taxes.

"We also want to bring clarity to home financing decisions by providing expert advice and tips to our customers on how to shorten their mortgage amortization and save thousands of dollars," said Ms. Harrison. "For customers who want to become mortgage-free faster, pay less interest and have the comfort of a fixed interest rate, our five-year fixed rate mortgage at 3.95 per cent is the best option," added Ms. Harrison. "This new mortgage product offers a maximum 25 year amortization; it's the right mortgage for the times."

Within the branch, customers can expect:

    
    -  A highly experienced team of in-house experts;
    -  Access to commercial account and deposit services;
    -  Two Instabank automated banking machines (ABMs), one of them is
       accessible 24/7 and;
    -  Full wheelchair accessibility.
    

Hours of operation for BMO's Columbia Square Plaza are:

    
    Monday to Thursday       9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    Friday                   9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
    Saturday                 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    

BMO's Corporate Social Responsibility in British Colombia

BMO's new branch in New Westminster is part of a green energy initiative. BMO Financial Group is committed to purchase emission free electricity from Bullfrog Power - generated from clean, renewable sources like wind power and low-impact hydro. We have significantly expanded our use of emissions-free power by purchasing electricity from Bullfrog Power for all of our 64 facilities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. This is in addition to the 87 BMO locations in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

BMO is now recognized on the bullfrogpowered Green Index, a ranking of companies that purchase green power, as a top-tier purchaser of more than 20,000 annual megawatt hours.

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. In British Columbia, BMO has over 3,000 employees and serves customers from 109 BMO Bank of Montreal branches, six BMO Nesbitt Burns offices and five BMO Harris Private Banking locations.

BMO is an active corporate citizen through numerous sponsorships and donations, including the BC Children's Hospital, the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, VanDusen Botanical Garden, Annual Royal City Show and Shine, Royal Columbian Hospital, Shelter from the Storm, BMO Vancouver Marathon and United Ways throughout the province.

For further information: Media Contact: Sarah Bensadoun, Montreal, [email protected], [phone], Internet: www.bmo.com