CALGARY,
AB, June 30, 2023 /CNW/ - BMO and Immigrant
Services Calgary (ISC) is celebrating the opening of a new branch
inside ISC's Gateway Newcomer Centre located in downtown
Calgary. The exclusive strategic
relationship provides newcomers with seamless banking services,
customised advice and learning resources needed to help make real
financial progress as they embark on the next chapter of their
lives.
Newcomers can now conveniently receive trusted guidance about
settling in Calgary, employment
opportunities and on essential financial topics including building
credit history, establishing saving habits and building long-term
wealth, at the BMO branch located inside the Gateway Newcomer
Centre. BMO staff are available on-site to answer questions and
offer services in English, Mandarin, Ukrainian and Russian to help
newcomers at the start of their settlement journey. If on-site
staff are unable to assist in a language of choice, the branch can
direct customers to another BMO professional, where the bank
provides services in over 15 languages in Calgary.
In addition to offering banking services and financial advice,
BMO will be a primary sponsor the ISC Immigrants of Distinction
awards.
"With the opening of this new branch, we are meeting our
customers where they are and delivering convenient tools and
resources that will set them up for success for years to come,"
said John MacAulay, Regional
President, Prairies Central, BMO. "The opportunity to co-locate a
new BMO branch within the Gateway Newcomer Centre is a meaningful
step to supporting newcomers at the start of their settlement
journey and empower them to make progress in building their new
lives in Alberta."
"BMO is committed to supporting newcomers however we can as they
adjust to life in Canada," said
Gayle Ramsay, Head, Everyday
Banking, Segment & Customer Growth, BMO. "Alongside the
state-of-the-art digital banking tools, financial literacy
education programs, and other resources including BMO's NewStart
program, this latest branch opening at Gateway Newcomer Centre
highlights BMO's dedication to helping newcomers to Canada make real financial progress."
"Ensuring our newcomer clients have easy access to vital
services is of utmost importance to Immigrant Services Calgary,"
said Shirley Philips, Interim CEO,
Immigrant Services Calgary. "As an organization focused on
unleashing the economic potential of newcomers, we are excited to
be co-located with BMO at our Gateway Newcomer Welcome Centre in
downtown Calgary. This unique
partnership recognizes the importance of connecting newcomers to
financial resources, including financial literacy programs and
banking products to help them settle and succeed in their new
home."
BMO Helps Newcomers to Canada Make Real Financial
Progress:
- BMO's NewStart Program: BMO's NewStart program provides
customers with a suite of best-in-class, personalized, no-fee
banking products, including chequing and savings accounts,
customized mortgage options, credit with no credit history,
investments and worldwide money transfers to establish their
finances.
- BMO SmartProgress: To help with their transition, BMO
SmartProgress is a free online financial education program that
provides newcomers with a customized, on-demand and interactive
learning experience. This financial literacy platform is geared to
help educate newcomers on the Canadian banking system and assist
them in creating good financial habits while starting their new
lives. It features bite-sized content, including videos and tools,
to give newcomers a better understanding of complex financial
topics, including budgeting and credit management, homeownership
and investing in their future.
- BMO Newcomer Talent Program: In 2022, amidst a series of
global crises driving a record number of people to resettle in
North America, BMO also introduced
its Newcomer Talent Program, a recruitment program for displaced
persons, immigrants and refugees, providing support and creating
employment opportunities for newcomers to Canada and the
United States. This Program includes personalized
recruitment pages that makes it easy for jobseekers to introduce
themselves to BMO and explore job opportunities in both
Canada and the United States.
- Pre-Arrival Account Opening: In April 2023, BMO enhanced and expanded its
NewStart® Pre-Arrival Account Opening program to help newcomers
easily transition to their lives in Canada. This is an industry-leading account
opening capability, allowing online applicants in eligible
jurisdictions to have their BMO Pre-Arrival bank account
applications processed instantly. The program is available to
residents of several countries that are a part of the Government of
Canada's Student Direct Stream
accelerated student visa application process.
To learn more about how BMO can help customers make financial
progress visit www.bmo.com/main/personal.
About BMO Financial
Group
BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of
$1.25 trillion as of April 30, 2023. Serving customers 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 over 13 million customers 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 inclusive
society.
SOURCE BMO Financial Group