Pragmatic visions
It all started with nine enterprising merchants who understood the importance of banking to business.
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Look to the East
As the Dominion of Canada officially came into being on July 1, 1867, bank representatives were already on their way to open branches in Halifax and Saint John, in the new provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Commercial banking in Newfoundland had been carried on by two local institutions, both of which closed their doors on the same day in 1894. Four days later, at the invitation of the government of Newfoundland, Bank of Montreal sent a representative to St. John’s. Within a month, the bank opened its first branch there on Duckworth Street, and was able to provide substantial credits to the fishing industry. Bank of Montreal was quickly appointed banker for the Newfoundland government.
A visually rich tribute to Canada’s first bank, A Vision Greater than Themselves: The Making of the Bank of Montreal, 1817-2017 by Laurence B. Mussio tells the compelling story of the bank from its origins to present day.
Visit the McGill Queen’s University Press site
to order your copy.
BMO is a presenting sponsor of the Montréal en Histoires project, celebrating the 375th anniversary of Montreal and BMO’s bicentennial. The sponsorship includes a variety of technology-driven projects and a mobile app.