$1.3 Million Multi-Lingual BMO Bank of Montreal Branch Opens in Calgary’s Newest Northern Suburb - Creekside
$100 cash deposits and AIR MILES reward miles an advantage for BMO clients

CALGARY, AB, March 17, 2008 – BMO Bank of Montreal today opened a new 5,300 square foot bank branch in Creekside, a fast growing suburb on Calgary’s northern edge.

The Creekside BMO branch, located at 12432 Symons Valley Road NW, will have 15 employees providing financial services advice in English, Spanish, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Arabic, Vietnamese, Farsi and Tagalog.

“We are committed to providing every one of our customers with the best banking experience possible,” said Ravi Sull, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal. “To demonstrate our commitment we are offering a $100 cash deposit to all new customers who open a new chequing account between March 17 and April 19 and make an automatic pay deposit or bill payment to that account by July 19, 2008,” added Mr. Sull.

“As well, BMO customers can collect AIR MILES reward miles whenever and wherever they make purchases using their BMO Bank of Montreal debit card, credit card, and online,” said David Sprague, Vice President, Calgary District, BMO Bank of Montreal.

“No other bank can help you collect faster and redeem quicker and we are the only major financial institution that rewards both debit purchases and credit card purchases with a comprehensive choice of more than 800 reward and travel options,” added Mr. Sprague.

Customers can expect:

• A highly experienced, multi-lingual team of in-house experts including personal banking managers, financial services representatives, a financial planner, and a BMO Nesbitt Burns Investment Advisor;
• Access to commercial account and deposit services;
• Three Instabank automated banking machines (ABM), including a drive-through ABM;
• Ample free parking for BMO customers; and
• Full wheelchair accessibility.

BMO also announced that the branch will receive its electricity from Bullfrog Power, which provides homes and businesses in Ontario and Alberta with electricity generated from clean, renewable sources like wind power and low-impact hydro.

BMO’s Creekside Shopping Centre branch will operate from:

• 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays to Thursdays;
• 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Fridays; and
• 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

BMO serves customers through 27 branches in the Calgary District.

About BMO Financial Group
BMO Financial Group, Canada’s first bank, is one of the most highly diversified financial services organizations in North America. With total assets of $366 billion as at October 31, 2007, and more than 32,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.

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Media Contact:

Laurie Grant, laurie.grant@bmo.com, (604) 665-7596