CHILLIWACK, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/08/12 -- BMO Bank of Montreal invites customers and members of the community to celebrate the grand opening of its new full-service Eagle Landing branch located at 8249 Eagle Landing Parkway in Chilliwack, on Saturday, December 8, 2012.

Today, BMO also announced the donation of its former Five Corners branch to the University of the Fraser Valley for a future UFV business centre. The donation, the largest in UFV's history at $1.5 million, includes renovation funds from the Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation.

The new branch offers customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays, and is designed to provide a great banking experience through a variety of financial services and conveniences, including:

--  Two ATMs - including a drive-thru ATM; 
--  Services provided in four different languages; 
--  Access to commercial account and deposit services - including a night
    depository for small business after-hours use; and 
--  Barrier-free access. 

"Chilliwack is located in the heart of the Fraser Valley's thriving agriculture community, and as such it is an important part of the local and provincial economies. It is also home to a number of successful local companies and has experienced steady population growth in recent years," said Nalla Steigvilas, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal.

"At our new branch, the extended banking hours make it easier for our customers to come in and speak with our team about all of their financial needs," noted Ms. Steigvilas. "Nearly half of businesses in B.C. surveyed for the BMO Small Business Confidence Report predicted they will grow in 2013. Commercial clients are clearly confident about expanding their operations and hiring people; we encourage businesses in the Chilliwack region to get their share of the $10 billion in credit BMO has made available, giving them access to the capital they need to grow."

Open six days a week, the BMO Eagle Landing Chilliwack branch hours are:

--  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Wednesday; 
--  9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 
--  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday. 

Grand Opening Details:

Who:    Chief David Jimmie, Squiala First Nation                            
        Mark Strahl, MP (Chilliwack - Fraser Canyon)                        
        Gwen O'Mahony, MLA (Chilliwack - Hope)                              
        Henry Donkers, District Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal        
        Cheryl Dawson, Personal Banking Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal  
        Nalla Steigvilas, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal              
                                                                            
What:   Holiday-themed Grand Opening Celebration for Chilliwack's Eagle     
        Landing Branch                                                      
        - Squiala First Nations Drum Dance officially starts the celebration
        - Formal speeches and ribbon-cutting ceremony                       
        - Complimentary food, beverages and entertainment                   
        - Great giveaways and a raffle draw with the chance to win a $1000  
        BMO GIC Contribution                                                
                                                                            
When:   Saturday, December 8, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.            
        - Formal speeches and ribbon-cutting ceremony start at 11:30 a.m.   
                                                                            
Where:  BMO Bank of Montreal: 8249 Eagle Landing Parkway, Chilliwack, BC    

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $525 billion as at October 31, 2012, and more than 46,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.