Bank of Montreal Company Profile and Facts

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Bank of Montreal
Credit: wikimedia.org, Bank of Montreal

Bank of Montreal is one of Canada's oldest and most trusted banks. Founded in 1817, it's been around for over two centuries.

The bank was originally established as the Bank of Montreal, but it has undergone several mergers and acquisitions over the years, expanding its reach and services.

Bank of Montreal operates under the banner of BMO Financial Group, which is a leading financial institution in North America.

History

The Bank of Montreal has a rich history that spans over two centuries. It was established on June 23, 1817, when a group of merchants signed the Articles of Association, formally creating the "Montreal Bank".

The bank's first location was in rooms rented on Rue Saint-Paul, Montreal, before it moved to its permanent building on the same street in 1818. This was also the year the bank opened its first branch in Quebec City.

Expansion into Upper Canada was halted in 1824, but the bank reentered the market in 1838 by purchasing the Bank of the People. The bank was permitted to open its own branches in the area after Upper Canada and Lower Canada merged to create the Province of Canada in 1841.

Amazing scenery of calm rippling water flowing near bank with trees with golden foliage in autumn woods
Credit: pexels.com, Amazing scenery of calm rippling water flowing near bank with trees with golden foliage in autumn woods

The Bank of Montreal established branches in Newfoundland Colony on January 31, 1895, at the behest of the colonial government. This came after the collapse of the Commercial Bank and Union Bank of Newfoundland on December 10, 1894.

Here are some notable Bank of Montreal branches with historic significance:

  • The Bank of Montreal, 4896 Delta Street, Delta, British Columbia (1919)
  • The Bank of Montreal, 511 Columbia Street, New Westminster, British Columbia (1947–1948)
  • The Bank of Montreal, 322 Curling Street, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador (1915)
  • The Bank of Montreal, 426 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba (1927)
  • The "Old Bank of Montreal", 100 Victoria Street East, Amherst, Nova Scotia (1906)
  • The Bank of Montreal, 1 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario (1928)
  • The Bank of Montreal, 144 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario built by Ernest Barott of Barott and Blackader, architects, of Montreal
  • The Bank of Montreal, 3 King Street, Waterloo, Ontario, formerly known as the Molson's Bank, by architect Andrew Taylor (1914)

Corporate Structure

Bank of Montreal's corporate structure is diverse and extensive, with various divisions under its umbrella. The bank offers retail banking services.

The bank's investing and wealth management services are also available to its customers. It provides investment banking services as well. Insurance services are another aspect of the bank's offerings.

Bank of Montreal's corporate structure includes various other divisions, such as insurance, buildings, sponsorships, and predecessors, which are all part of the bank's operations.

Board of Directors Composition

The Board of Directors is the group of individuals responsible for making key decisions for a company. George Cope is the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Bank of Montreal, a position he has held since March 30, 2020.

Expand your knowledge: Goldman Sachs Board Directors

Credit: youtube.com, The Corporate Board of Directors

The Board of Directors at Bank of Montreal consists of eight members, each with their own unique background and experience. Christine Edwards has been a Director/Board Member since July 31, 2010, making her one of the longest-serving members.

The average age of the Board of Directors is 63.5 years, with the youngest member being Darryl White at 53 years old and the oldest being Christine Edwards at 72 years old.

Here is a list of the current Board of Directors at Bank of Montreal:

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is the top leadership team at Bank of Montreal, responsible for making key decisions and overseeing the bank's operations. Darryl White, the CEO, has been in this role since November 30, 2018.

The committee is comprised of several key members, each with their own title and responsibilities. Tayfun Tuzun, the Director of Finance, has been in this position since December 31, 2020.

Here's a list of the Executive Committee members:

Grégoire Baillargeon, the President, has been in this position since October 31, 2022.

Corporate Information

Bank Notes
Credit: pexels.com, Bank Notes

Bank of Montreal is a multinational banking and financial services corporation. It operates in various sectors, including retail banking, investing, wealth management, investment banking, insurance, and more.

The company has a diverse range of subsidiaries and affiliates, including Pyrford International Ltd., Clearpool Execution Services LLC, and BOW Auto Receivables LLC. These companies provide specialized services such as asset management, electronic trading, and auto receivables.

One notable subsidiary is Pyrford International Ltd., which is a UK-based asset management company that provides global asset management services to various clients. It was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in London.

Another key subsidiary is Clearpool Execution Services LLC, an American company that offers algorithmic management system (AMS) for electronic trading. The AMS provides total visibility and control from strategy to execution.

Here is a list of some of Bank of Montreal's corporate information:

  • Bank of Montreal
  • Retail banks
  • Investing
  • Wealth management
  • Investment banks
  • Insurance
  • Buildings
  • Sponsorships
  • Predecessors

BMO Family Office LLC is another notable subsidiary that provides wealth management advisory services to ultra-affluent individuals and families. It was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Financial Information

A contemporary city skyline featuring tall buildings and a prominent bank at dusk.
Credit: pexels.com, A contemporary city skyline featuring tall buildings and a prominent bank at dusk.

Bank of Montreal offers a range of services, including retail banking, investing, and wealth management, as well as investment banking and insurance.

Their corporate information includes sections on retail banks, investing, wealth management, investment banks, insurance, buildings, sponsorships, and predecessors, but these sections are currently empty.

The bank has made several announcements in recent months, including comments on Canada's producer prices and the launch of new ETNs.

Here are some key sales figures for Bank of Montreal:

Company Details

The Bank of Montreal, or BMO for short, has a rich history that dates back to 1817 when it was founded by a group of Scottish businessmen.

The bank's headquarters are located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, but it also has a significant presence in the United States, with operations in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

BMO offers a wide range of financial products and services to its customers, including personal banking, commercial banking, wealth management, and investment banking.

On a similar theme: United States Commodity Funds

Chief Executive Officer

Two male executives in office discussing documents at a computer workstation.
Credit: pexels.com, Two male executives in office discussing documents at a computer workstation.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bank of Montreal has had a few different people in the role over the years. As of my knowledge cutoff, the current CEO is William Darryl White, who has been in the position since November 2017.

The CEO position has been held by several individuals, including George Arnold Reeve Hart, who was in the role from 1959 to 1971 and again from 1972 to 1974.

Here's a list of the CEOs of Bank of Montreal since 1959:

  1. George Arnold Reeve Hart (1959 – December 1971)
  2. John Leonard Walker (December 1971 – December 1972)
  3. George Arnold Reeve Hart (December 1972 – 31 December 1974)
  4. Frederick Harold McNeil (1 January 1975 – January 1979)
  5. William David Mulholland (January 1979 – 30 June 1989)
  6. Matthew William Barrett (1 July 1989 – 23 February 1999)
  7. Francis Anthony Comper (23 February 1999 – 28 February 2007)
  8. William Arthur Downe (1 March 2007 – 31 October 2017)
  9. William Darryl White (1 November 2017 –)

As of December 2024, Bank of Montreal announced that Tony Sciarrino would be joining the bank from JPMorgan Chase to lead the bank's U.S. commercial banking business, replacing Ray Whitacre who will retire on January 1, 2025.

Membership

BMO's membership is a reflection of its commitment to being a trusted and secure bank. BMO is a member of the Canadian Bankers Association.

BMO is registered with the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, a federal agency that insures deposits at all of Canada's chartered banks.

Person Putting Coin in a Piggy Bank
Credit: pexels.com, Person Putting Coin in a Piggy Bank

BMO Bank, which handles the bank's US operations, is a member of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

BMO's US operations also participate in various payment networks, including Cirrus for MasterCard card users, Interlink for Visa card users, MasterCard International, and Visa.

Here's a breakdown of some of the payment networks BMO's US operations are a part of:

  • Cirrus for MasterCard card users
  • Diners Club North America
  • Interlink for Visa card users
  • NYCE for MasterCard card users
  • MasterCard International
  • Plus for Visa card users
  • Visa

Company Details:

Company Details is an essential part of a business's identity. It's what helps you find them on the map.

Bank of Montreal is a great example of this. Their company details include an address of 100 King Street West, 1 First Canadian Place, in Toronto.

The Bank of Montreal's postal code is M5X 1A1, which is a crucial piece of information for sending mail or packages.

Branches and Locations

The Bank of Montreal has a significant presence across Canada. With over 900 branches across the country, it's one of the largest banking networks in the nation.

You can find a Bank of Montreal branch almost anywhere you go. From major cities like Toronto and Vancouver to smaller towns, they've got a location near you.

Sales Geographical Breakdown

Street scene featuring the Bank of Montreal in a modern urban setting with traffic lights and architecture.
Credit: pexels.com, Street scene featuring the Bank of Montreal in a modern urban setting with traffic lights and architecture.

As we explore the various branches and locations of major banks, it's interesting to see how their sales geographically break down. Bank of Montreal's sales in Canada have consistently been the highest, reaching 16.88 billion dollars in 2023.

The United States is the second-largest market for Bank of Montreal, with sales increasing from 8.66 billion dollars in 2020 to 14.46 billion dollars in 2024. However, it's worth noting that sales in the US actually declined in 2023.

Sales in other countries have also shown fluctuations, with a significant decrease in 2022 to 753 million dollars, but an increase to 2.22 billion dollars in 2024.

Here's a breakdown of Bank of Montreal's sales by country:

Historic Branches

The Bank of Montreal has a rich history, and many of its branches are now recognized as historic buildings. Some of these buildings date back to the late 19th century.

For example, in Montreal, there's a Bank of Montreal branch on Notre Dame Street West that was built in 1894. Similarly, in Perth, Ontario, a Bank of Montreal branch was established as far back as 1884.

From below classic styled historic building of United States National Bank with wooden doors and vintage lanterns located in Portland
Credit: pexels.com, From below classic styled historic building of United States National Bank with wooden doors and vintage lanterns located in Portland

In addition to these early branches, some buildings have been repurposed for other notable uses. The Bank of Montreal branch in Montreal that was completed in 1894 is now a National Historic Site of Canada, recognized for its Queen Anne Revival architecture.

Here are some of the historic Bank of Montreal branches:

  • The Bank of Montreal, 4896 Delta Street, Delta, British Columbia (1919)
  • The Bank of Montreal, 511 Columbia Street, New Westminster, British Columbia (1947–1948)
  • The Bank of Montreal, 322 Curling Street, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador (1915)
  • The Bank of Montreal, 426 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba (1927)
  • The "Old Bank of Montreal", 100 Victoria Street East, Amherst, Nova Scotia (1906)
  • The Bank of Montreal, 1 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario (1928)
  • The Bank of Montreal, 144 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario built by Ernest Barott of Barott and Blackader, architects, of Montreal
  • The Bank of Montreal, 3 King Street, Waterloo, Ontario, formerly known as the Molson's Bank, by architect Andrew Taylor (1914)

Sponsorships and Partnerships

Bank of Montreal is a major player in the world of sports sponsorships. The bank has been a sponsor of the Toronto FC of Major League Soccer since 2007 and has extended its agreement through the 2016 season.

The bank's sponsorship portfolio also includes the CF Montréal, with a five-year agreement to become lead sponsor and jersey sponsor. Additionally, BMO is a sponsor of Los Angeles FC, with their stadium named BMO Stadium since 2023.

BMO has also been a sponsor of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors from at least 2007 through 2011.

Take a look at this: Toronto Dominion Bank Group

Museum

The Bank Museum is a great place to learn about the history of the Bank of Montreal. It's located in the passageway connecting the Main Branch and Head Office buildings and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Credit: youtube.com, Can Corporate Sponsorships Be a Viable Funding Source for Museums? - Inside Museum Walls

You can find a replica of the Bank's first office, a model of early Saint Jacques Street, and displays of bank notes, coins, and tokens. The museum also features a collection of rare mechanical piggy banks and other interesting banking memorabilia.

More than 2,800 Bank of Montreal employees served in the two world wars, with 314 losing their lives and 40 being made prisoners of war. The names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice appear on the east wall of the hall.

The De Maisonneuve House, located on the same site, was constructed in 1913 and renovated in 1983 at a cost of over $4 million.

Sponsorships

BMO Bank of Montreal is a major sponsor of several organizations and events.

The bank is a founder and major sponsor of the Siminovitch Prize in Theatre, an annual award of $100,000 granted to a Canadian director, playwright, or designer.

Since 1997, BMO has been a major sponsor of Skate Canada, and is the title sponsor of the BMO Financial Group Canadian Championships.

If this caught your attention, see: List of Canadian Exchange-traded Funds

Woman in Brown Coat Holding a Bank Card
Credit: pexels.com, Woman in Brown Coat Holding a Bank Card

The bank is also a sponsor of the Toronto FC of Major League Soccer, having extended its agreement through the 2016 season.

BMO is the title sponsor of the BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon, which is an annual May marathon race.

The bank is a sponsor of the CF Montréal, announcing a five-year agreement to become lead sponsor and jersey sponsor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bank of Montreal still exist?

Yes, Bank of Montreal (BMO) is still an active and leading North American bank. Founded in 1817, BMO continues to serve customers and communities with a strong commitment to growth and progress.

Is Bank of Montreal a US bank?

Bank of Montreal (BMO) is a Canadian bank with a US subsidiary, but it is not a US bank in its own right. However, it operates extensively in the US market, including issuing Diners Club cards.

How stable is the Bank of Montreal?

The Bank of Montreal's financial stability is affirmed as 'AA-', indicating a very stable financial condition. The stable outlook suggests that Fitch Ratings expects BMO to maintain its strong financial position.

Is BMO available in the USA?

Yes, BMO has a presence in the U.S. since 1818, with a significant network of professionals and offices across the country. Learn more about our U.S. operations and how we can support your financial needs.

Eric Hintz

Lead Assigning Editor

Eric Hintz is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in journalism, Eric has honed his skills in selecting and assigning compelling articles that captivate readers. As a seasoned editor, Eric has a proven track record of identifying emerging trends and topics, including the inner workings of major financial institutions, such as "Banking Headquarters".

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