Media Advisory: BMO Bank of Montreal Celebrates Grand Opening of New Park Royal Branch in West Vancouver

<p> - New BMO branch represents a $1.8 million investment into the community </p> <p> - 'Making Money Make Sense' in seven different languages </p> <p> - Offering customers extended banking hours, seven days a week </p> <p> - Expanded wealth management services with opening of BMO Harris Private Banking and BMO Nesbitt Burns offices </p>

WEST VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire -08/16/12)- BMO Bank of Montreal invites customers and members of the community to celebrate the grand opening of its newly relocated full-service Park Royal branch in West Vancouver on Saturday, August 18, 2012. The relocated branch is now on the southeast corner in the Park Royal Shopping Centre.

The larger, open-concept branch offers customers extended banking hours seven days a week, and is designed to provide a great banking experience through a broad variety of financial services and conveniences, including:

-- Expanded wealth management services including BMO Harris Private Banking and BMO Nesbitt Burns; -- A team of 20 professionals including a BMO Financial Planner; -- Services provided in seven languages; -- Access to commercial account and deposit services; and -- Three ATMs.

"Greater Vancouver's economy is cooling somewhat, but continues to outperform the rest of B.C.," said Robert Kavcic, Economist, BMO Capital Markets. "Population growth, while slowing, is still well above the national and provincial averages, amid strong international immigration. Plus, the housing market has moderated, with sales and price growth cooling from the highs set in early 2011."

"At BMO, we are committed to providing every one of our customers with the best banking experience," said Sheila Kerr, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal. "We encourage new and existing members of the community to come in and speak with our team about all of their financial needs. BMO recently launched the new BMO AIR MILES bank plan, which allows customers to significantly enhance the value they are getting from their debit card by accelerating the rate of earning reward miles - so they can ultimately spend smarter."

Grand Opening Details: Who: Mary Ann Booth, Deputy Mayor, West Vancouver Ralph Sultan, MLA, West Vancouver - Capilano Xwalacktun, Artist & recipient of the Order of B.C, Squamish First Nations S'apluk, Music Director & Cultural Consultant, Squamish First Nations Joanne Gassman, Senior Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal Pat Dejong, Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal Sheila Kerr, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal Doug Bourque, Director Aboriginal Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal Pat Robinson, Senior Vice President, BMO Nesbitt Burns Janine Guenther, Vice President, BMO Harris Private Banking What: Grand Opening Celebration - Park Royal Branch - Formal celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony with special guests - First Nations dancing and wood carving demonstration - Complimentary food and refreshments - Great giveaways and a raffle draw with the chance to enter to win a $1000 BMO Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) When: Saturday, August 18, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Speeches and ribbon-cutting will commence at 11.30 am Where: BMO Bank of Montreal, 913 Park Royal Mall South, West Vancouver

BMO's newly relocated Park Royal branch extended hours of operation are:

-- 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Wednesday; -- 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday; -- 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday; and -- 12.00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

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 $525 billion as at April 30, 2012, and more than 46,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.