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End of an era as Bank of Montreal branch closes. Posted on July 1, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman Signs of change: Lorne Ostrom, from Sign Guys. By Marcus Day Maple Creek News Almost 125 years of Maple Creek banking history ended on Friday. No sooner had the last customer left the Bank of Montreal branch at the corner of Jasper Street and 1st Avenue, then the decommissioning crews began their business. Lorne Ostrom and Cory Cormier, from Regina-based Sign Guys, arrived in the afternoon with a crane to begin taking down the BMO signs at the front and side. They replaced them with white signs expected to remain blank until new owners move in. "It is a sad day," one passing motorist told the News-Times. "So much history there." For one or two former BMO customers, the prevailing sentiment was more anger than sorrow at a decision that appears to pay scant regard to the needs of those in smaller communities. Earlier, a white truck had pulled up outside the front entrance, bearing the red-and-grey lettering and logo of GardaWorld, a large security and cash logistics company that offers physical security, transportation of valuables and electronic security. Later, another truck drew up, with the livery, "Chubb powered by API Group", and below it "Chubb Fire & Security". Medicine Hat's Keyway Security Locksmiths Ltd also showed up. Mike Mann was soon seen working on the front lock. Throughout this activity, at least two customers were seen coming up to the bank, only to find it locked, or be turned away. The remaining staff also quietly left. What will happen to them? One of them, Sheryl, has retired after 33 years. Another has plans to move to Saskatoon and work in Delisle. Others are believed to have found work in Lethbridge. It was in November 2025 that BMO announced that it would be closing its Maple Creek branch on Friday, June 19, 2026. "It's devastating news," said Michelle McKenzie, the mayor, who feared the closure would affect not just Maple Creek, but outlying communities like Piapot as well. She said the prospect of an empty Jasper Street building ran counter to the Town's efforts to encourage businesses to come to the community. Johanna Koch, president of Maple Creek Chamber of Commerce, said: "It will be a big loss." A closure notice placed at the entrance read: "We want to thank you for your loyalty. We have enjoyed being part of this community." After the branch closes, the notice says, customers can be served at Dunmore & Carry Drive branch, 3214 Dunmore RD S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta T1B 2X2. The notice adds that customers can bank online or with BMO's mobile app. Visit bmo.com/digitalbanking or talk to a member of the BMO branch team to learn more. At a 2024 gala event at The Armoury, BMO received a "Legacy of Success" award in recognition of it being the second oldest business in Maple Creek. At the time, it had had a presence in Maple Creek for 123 years. The Bank of Montreal's Maple Creek branch was established on January 10, 1901 and at the time it was known as the Merchant's Bank of Canada which later merged with the Bank of Montreal. E. J. Fewings, who was manager of the Merchants Bank of Canada, Medicine Hat, played a major role in the opening of the bank at its inception in 1901, with a staff of two serving a community of 350 people. According to a summary read out at the "Legacy of Success" event, The Merchant's Bank of Canada became Bank of Montreal in 1923. The bank was first located along Pacific Avenue, followed by space in Parsons Block on the corner of Pacific Avenue and Jasper Street where it resided from 1909 until 1927, and moved into the Commercial Hotel. In 1932, the Bank of Montreal acquired 114 Jasper Street the building known as the Orr Building. The Orr Building served the needs of the bank until 1952 when its present location was constructed. "It has been serving the community for 123 years," Councillor Len Barkman, the MC, announced. Last Friday, that service record stood at nearly 125 years. And that is where it will remain. By early evening, as Ostrom and Cormier began finishing their job, one of the blue BMO signs lay against the side of the building. It seemed to symbol the end of an era.

BMO hires UBS banker to lead US M&A team, memo shows. By Nivedita Balu TORONTO, May 29 (Reuters) - BMO Financial has hired David Descoteaux from UBS to head its U.S. M&A team for capital markets and commercial banking, according to a memo seen by Reuters, finalizing a months-long search to fill the role as the Canadian lender combined teams. Descoteaux will take charge on June 1 and will report to Carrie Cook, global head of investment & corporate banking, and Tony Sciarrino, head of U.S. commercial bank at BMO, the memo said. Under the new structure, Cameron Hewes, the head of the middle market M&A team, will report to Descoteaux and work closely with Sarfraz Visram, the head of Canadian M&A, on cross-border and North American deals. Descoteaux joins BMO from UBS, where he spent nine years covering deals in North and South America across sectors including technology, media and telecom and fintech. Prior to UBS, he spent 14 years at Lazard. At UBS, 70% of transactions that Descoteaux carried out involved private equity sponsors, the memo noted. The capital market segment has been a boon for Canadian banks in recent quarters as loan growth has weakened amid tariff-related uncertainty, benefiting from strong fee and advisory income as M&A activity has sharply rebounded in 2025 and so far this year. BMO declined to comment. (Reporting by Nivedita Balu in Toronto; Editing by Andrea Ricci)

BMO wins seven Awards for AI, digital innovation and client experiences. PR Newswire Today at 6:00am PDT * Honouring BMO's advancements in AI, data-driven insights and client experiences in personal and commercial banking TORONTO, May 26, 2026 /CNW/ - BMO today announced it received seven recognitions at The Digital Banker's 2026 Digital CX Awards for its leadership in AI, digital innovation and continued commitment to client-focused solutions. The Digital Banker's Digital CX Awards is the world's only program dedicated to recognizing leading innovation in the digital customer experience across the financial services ecosystem. The awards honour excellence in the use of digital assets within the financial services industry and celebrate contributions to innovations, technological enhancements and commitments to digital transformation. "Our commitment to delivering digitally enabled, client-focused experiences continue to shape how we innovate at BMO," said Gregory Brown, Chief Digital Officer, Canadian Personal & Business Banking, BMO. "These awards highlight how we are using technology to understand and meet clients where they are and deliver experiences that help them make real financial progress." "These recognitions reflect the strength of BMO's culture of innovation and exceptional client experiences," said Derek Vernon, Head, North American Treasury and Payment Solutions, BMO. "BMO is elevating standards with advanced technologies and data-driven solutions that drive our vision to deliver more convenient and personalized banking for our clients." * Best Goal Based Planning & Portfolio Personalization CX: My Financial Progress * Available in BMO Online Banking and the BMO Mobile Banking app, My Financial Progress is a self-serve goal planning platform that helps clients create personalized and adaptive plans, gain comprehensive insights into their finances and access tailored strategies to help them reach their goals. * Best Savings & Financial-Wellbeing Coaching Experience: Credit Coach * BMO's Credit Coach tool delivers a proactive and educational approach to credit health by combining personalized factor insights, interactive simulations, and timely credit score alerts directly within digital banking, empowering clients to understand and improve their credit with confidence. * Excellence in Real-Time Decisioning & Journeys Orchestration - Canada: BMO-Google Dynamic Card Benefits and Card Art * Delivered in partnership with Google Pay and the first in Canada, BMO's Card Art and Dynamic Card Benefits solution helps clients make more informed choices during points of purchase by clearly highlighting which card offers the most value for a specific transaction. The experience shows clear card images and a short message about the key benefits, making it easier to identify the best option at a glance when checking out in Google Chrome. By providing clear, timely guidance at the moment of decision, the solution helps clients get more value from their cards while supporting more confident, rewarding everyday purchase decisions. * Best Agent-Assist/Copilot Deployment for Contact Centre: Call Assist * A real-time, multilingual agent-assist tool that improves first-call resolution and reduces misdirected calls, BMO's Call Assist initiative enables more focused and empathetic client interactions through streamlined workflows and integrated analytics. * Best Use of Data and Analytics for Customer Experience: Simplified Authorization for Entities (SAFE) * SAFE's North American platform further enhances the account signer management by using AI and machine learning to digitize, validate, and access records across the bank. This platform is accelerating innovative self-service journeys and delivering an easier experience for employees and Commercial Banking clients in Canada and the U.S. * Best Use of Technology for Customer Experience: Corporate Card Hub * The Corporate Card Hub transforms card management in Online Banking for Business with a seamless, end-to-end digital experience that simplifies onboarding, enhances self-service, and unlocks meaningful new value for Commercial Banking clients and frontline teams. * Outstanding Use of Digital Channels for Improved CX - United States: BMO Digital Card Control Suite * BMO's U.S. Digital Card Management Suite is a flagship self-serve capability that enables millions of clients to securely manage and resolve credit card issues in real time, seamlessly through BMO digital banking app and BMO Assist-eliminating the need to call a contact center or visit a branch while delivering, faster, more seamless client experience. BMO continues to lead the way as a digitally enabled, future-ready bank, focused on delivering leading digital experiences that help customers make real financial progress. These recognitions demonstrate BMO's Digital First journey and build on the bank's strong track record of industry recognition. About BMO Financial Group BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of January 31, 2026. Serving clients for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to approximately 13 million clients across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and stronger communities. SOURCE BMO Financial Group This is a paid placement. For further inquiries, please contact PR Newswire directly.