2013/3/8 - Media Advisory/Interview Opportunity: BMO Bank of Montreal Celebrates 100 Years of Banking and Financial Services in Prince Albert

Customers, dignitaries, and current and former staff are all invited to celebrate BMO's 100 years in Prince Albert starting at 11 a.m.

"On February 25, 1913, the original Prince Albert branch opened in rented premises in the Empress Theatre Building, under bank manager Mr. E.A. Moore," said Charlise Chubey, current branch manager of the Prince Albert BMO branch. "In 1917 BMO moved to the Masonic Temple Building, then to the Amos Block on Central Avenue in 1928."

Also referred to as, Saskatchewan's "Gateway to the North" because of its central location and the last major city along the route to northern Saskatchewan, Prince Albert was incorporated as a town in 1885 and as a city in 1904. When BMO entered the community the population was a little over 6,000. The same year that the bank established a branch also saw the entrance of four railways into the city.

Today Prince Albert's population is over 35,000. BMO Bank of Montreal now serves clients from the current Prince Albert Branch: opened in 2008, built with an investment of $1.8 million and offering convenient features such as ample free parking, a drive-through ABM, additional private offices and banking six days a week.

"At BMO we are committed to meeting the constantly evolving needs of our customers and offering them a broad range of banking and specialized financial services. We continue to strive to be the only financial institution they will ever need," said Debra Suchorab, Personal Banking Area Manager, Rural North Saskatchewan District.

BMO Bank of Montreal Prince Albert Branch 100th Anniversary Celebration

Details:                                                                    
                                                                            
Who:       Debra Suchorab, Personal Banking Area Manager, Rural North, BMO  
           Bank of Montreal;                                                
           Charlise Chubey, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal            
                                                                            
What:      100th Anniversary Celebration of Prince Albert BMO Branch        
           - Complimentary food and beverages                               
           - Official ceremony and photo opportunities                      
           - Door prizes and give-aways                                     
                                                                            
When:      Friday, March 8, 2013 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.                      
           - Formal speeches, cake cutting and photo opportunities to       
           commence at 1 p.m.                                               
                                                                            
Where:     BMO Bank of Montreal - 500, 801 - 15th Street East, Prince Albert

Media are invited to the 100th anniversary celebration and interviews can be arranged with BMO spokespeople.

Historical photos are available by email upon request.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $542 billion as at January 31, 2013, and more than 46,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.