Bank of Montreal (BMO) investor relations material

Canada's First Bank

Founded in 1817, Bank of Montreal (BMO) holds the prestigious title of being Canada's first bank. With its headquarters in Montreal, Quebec, BMO has become a mainstay in the Canadian financial sector. The bank offers a diverse range of services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and investment banking services. BMO has extended its reach into various international markets, including the United States, where it operates as BMO Harris Bank.

The Birth of a Canadian Institution

Bank of Montreal was founded after a British charter that allowed businessmen in Montreal to establish a bank to serve the developing and thriving colonial economy. The bank played a key role in the nation's early days, fostering commercial growth and financing infrastructure projects, including railways and telegraph systems. With a solid foundation and an emphasis on fostering economic growth, BMO quickly grew to become a prominent fixture of the Canadian financial ecosystem. Some of the bank's main competitors in Canada are institutions such as RBC, CIBC, and TD.

A Comprehensive Suite of Financial Services

Throughout the decades, BMO has diversified its portfolio, offering a comprehensive range of financial services to meet the needs of its clientele. In Personal and Commercial banking, BMO provides a suite of financial products including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, loans, and business banking services.

BMO, like many of its competitors also offers wealth management services. This service provides private banking, investment advisory services, and estate planning. The investment banking arm of BMO Financial Group, BMO Capital Markets, offers a broad range of services, including equity and debt underwriting, corporate lending and project financing, merger and acquisitions advisory services, and other services typically offered by this type of financial institution.

Southward Expansion

BMO expanded its presence in the United States with the acquisition of Harris Bankcorp in 1984. Today, BMO Harris Bank is one of the largest banks in the Midwest serving private individuals as well as commercial customers. Even if BMO is first and foremost a Canadian institution, expansion into the US has been well-received throughout the years and has allowed the bank to significantly increase its reach.