• New BMO Harris Private Banking office in Kelowna will provide wealth management services to affluent clients
• Donation of $10,000 to the Central Okanagan Foundation demonstrates BMO’s commitment to the Kelowna community

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KELOWNA, BC, June 16, 2008 – BMO Harris Private Banking, the country’s fastest growing private bank, officially opens its first stand-alone office in Canada in Kelowna, BC on June 18. Offering a unique wealth management service designed specifically for affluent Canadians, the office has been open for business since April 21. It had previously offered private banking services through premises at the Kelowna Main Branch of BMO Bank of Montreal during the past four years.

Located at 327 Bernard Avenue in Kelowna, the BMO Harris Private Banking 11-person team is led locally by Tom Klick, Director and Senior Private Banker. The Kelowna team of skilled and highly trained professionals is capable of delivering the kind of dedicated and specialized services that are required by this unique customer segment.

The one-storey, 3400 square foot office, kitty-corner from BMO Bank of Montreal’s Kelowna Main Office Branch, is home to a team of professionals specializing in a wide variety of disciplines such as banking, investment management, estate and trust services, as well as other specialty services, such as philanthropic advisory, and succession planning.

“We're very pleased to bring our integrated approach to wealth management to more clients in BC’s Central Okanagan region,” said Diana Reid, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, BC Region, BMO Harris Private Banking. “Our team of experienced professionals is looking forward to serving the needs of clients in the Kelowna area with the same dedication and commitment with which we serve clients across Canada."

BMO Harris Private Banking, a member of BMO Financial Group, serves the needs of affluent clients and their families; helping them with a wide range of complex financial issues. Modeled on the highly-regarded private banking business of Harris Bank, BMO’s Chicago-based U.S. subsidiary, which has been managing money for clients for more than 100 years, the opening of the office signals a confidence in market opportunities to serve the needs of the region’s affluent citizens.

Media are invited to the Grand Opening of BMO Harris Private Banking’s Kelowna Office.

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