News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO and CHICAGO, ILLINOIS--(Marketwired - June 11, 2015) -

Editors Note: There are three photos associated with this press release.

This week, thousands of BMO employees left their desks to volunteer in communities across Canada and the U.S. in support of BMO Volunteer Day.

Launched in 2001, BMO Volunteer Day provides opportunities for BMO employees to participate in charitable work and projects during business hours. This year, in communities across Canada and the U.S., it encompasses projects supporting children and youth organizations, elder care, food banks, community housing and health care facilities, family resource centres, parks and recreational facilities, relief organizations and homeless shelters.

"Volunteering is at the heart of BMO's culture," said Joanna Rotenberg, Head, Personal Wealth Management, BMO Financial Group. "We believe that volunteering deepens our understanding of the needs of those around us and builds strong, lasting relationships with the communities where we work and operate. We are here to help."

Ms. Rotenberg personally volunteered with First Book Canada, joining fellow BMO employees as they read to Grade 1 and 2 students at an elementary school in the Greater Toronto Area.

"On BMO Volunteer Day, we have the fantastic opportunity to partner with a variety of unique organizations th at make substantial differences across a wide range of causes," said Ms. Rotenberg.

"First Book Canada, as one example, is leading the way in helping children from low-income backgrounds get access to the resources they need to flourish in the classroom and beyond. We are honoured to be a partner in this worthy cause," she said.

BMO Volunteer Day Projects Include:

• In Chicago, 125 BMO volunteers worked to refurbish Lawndale Community Academy Elementary School in activities ranging from indoor and outdoor painting to light construction and landscaping.
• In Milwaukee, BMO Harris employees focused on helping to feed the hungry through partnerships with Hunger Task Force and Feeding America. Employees sorted, labeled and packaged food for distribution to the needy.
• BMO staff in eight major cities across Canada volunteered at First Book events that saw them read to Grades 1 & 2 students. The so-called "reading parties" also featured presentations from local Canadian authors and illustrators.
• For those unable to leave their desks, BMO staff volunteered remotely via telephone to provide career counselling and advice to youth on subjects ranging from interviewing to networking to looking for a job.

BMO is getting noticed for its commitment to volunteering. BMO Capital Markets and its employees, as an example, were recently recognized by NYC Service and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for their high level of volunteer service and engagement in the community.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of approximately $633 billion as of April 30, 2015, and more than 47,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services t o more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

BMO Donations

For more than 195 years, BMO Financial Group has believed in community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility in the communities it serves. In 2014, BMO contributed more than $57 million in community donations to charitable, not-for-profit and community based institutions and organizations that help build and sustain resilient, vital and healthy communities.

To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links:

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www.marketwire.com/library/20150610-halifaxreadingparty800.jpg

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