Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity
Raptors Star Jose Calderon joins BMO to Celebrate Grand Opening of New Scarborough Branch
BMO Marks Opening with $52,214 Donation to Variety Village

On Saturday, March 8, 2008, BMO Bank of Montreal will celebrate the grand opening of its new branch in Scarborough, Ontario at the corner of Eglinton and Pharmacy with a $52,214 donation to Variety Village. The donation was made possible by funds raised by BMO employees and customers through a "Rock and Roll" 5K Run/Walk and a local golf tournament. BMO, the Official Bank of the Toronto Raptors, also invites customers and fans to come by and meet Jose Calderon and the Raptors mascot at an autograph signing, and to enjoy a complementary BBQ and enter a draw to win one of two Toronto Raptors jerseys or Raptors tickets.

WHEN: Saturday, March 8, 2008 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: BMO Bank of Montreal
1900 Eglinton Ave. East at Pharmacy Ave.
WHAT: BBQ: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Opening ceremony: 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Speeches and ribbon cutting

Jose Calderon autograph signing:
2:30p.m. – 3:30p.m
WHO: Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors
Raptors Dance Pak
Bill Crook, District Vice-President, GTA District
Ray Abi, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal
BMO Bank of Montreal employees and customers

ABOUT THE EGLINTON AND PHARMACY BRANCH

  • Opened January 28, 2008
  • Located at 1900 Eglinton Ave. East at Pharmacy Ave., Scarborough, Ontario
  • Represents an investment of $1.5 million
  • Size: 8,200 square feet
  • The new Scarborough branch is fuelled by 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
  • Staff: 25 financial services professionals
  • Services: A variety of personal, financial planning and investment services, including a BMO Nesbitt Burns investment advisor to help customers address their financial needs, including wealth management, estate planning and insurance
  • Hours of operation:
    • 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Monday to Friday;
    • 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Saturday

“BMO’s grand opening and our donation to Variety Village provide a wonderful opportunity for us to welcome customers to the new branch, meet neighbours and to show our appreciation and support for the organizations that mean so much to the well-being of our community,” said Ray Abi, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal.

“Also to the AIR MILES collectors in Scarborough, we have another reason for you to bank with BMO. Now our customers can collect AIR MILES reward miles whenever and wherever they make purchases using their BMO Bank of Montreal debit card,” said Alex Dousmanis-Curtis, SVP Greater Toronto Division, 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 debit, credit and online purchases with access to a comprehensive choice of more than 800 reward and travel options,” added Ms. Dousmanis-Curtis.

BMO Bank of Montreal operates 159 full-service branches and 17 InStore branches in the Greater Toronto Area.

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Media Contact:

Katelyn Hunter, Toronto, katelyn.hunter@bmo.com, 416-867-3996