BMO is Breaking Down Barriers for Women
BMO’s Purpose is to boldly grow the good in business and in life, rooted in the bank’s values to do what’s right, put others first, learn from difference, and make tomorrow better. BMO is acting with intention, transparency and accountability to move business and society forward.
The bank’s track record demonstrates a commitment to lead through courageous and decisive action, and to create opportunities for the smaller, everyday wins that drive meaningful change in the lives of customers, colleagues, and communities. BMO’s Zero Barriers to Inclusion strategy is creating economic progress and removing barriers to the inclusion of women everywhere.
Real Financial Progress for Women
BMO EMpower, a 5 billion commitment over five years to address key barriers faced by minority businesses, communities and families in the U.S., continues to make an impact. Through lending, investing, giving and engagement in our local communities, BMO is tackling barriers to inclusion in to create more opportunity for recovery and success.
One pillar of EMpower is a $300 million commitment to small business lending and expanding resources for women, Black and Latino-owned small businesses. BMO provides customers with education resources and planning tools to help their businesses become more resilient and scalable with:
- Better access to capital with expanded credit criteria and competitive interest rates.
- Access to education tools including templates, webinars, and coaching – over 300 hours of educational webinars to hundreds of business owners.
- Access to partnerships with organizations that give business owners connections to meaningful networks, additional coaching/resources and alternative funding sources.
BMO Celebrating Women makes grants available to energize growth plans for women-owned businesses. Access to funding capital is a challenge that women business owners often face. MO is committed to investing in and support women-owned businesses. In addition to grants, BMO offers a comprehensive package for grant recipients that includes an education series focused on business growth, a one-year membership with one of the bank’s partner advisory boards, a profile on bmo.com/women and other BMO social channels, as well as a BMO Celebrating Women Grant Recipient social badge.
Did you know that over 15 percent of all women fintech founders in North America have come through BMO’s doors since 2018? WMNfintech is BMO’s collaboration with 1871 (a Chicago-based innovation hub) designed for women-led fintech start-ups that create services and solutions for the financial sector, offers insights and advice to customers, or helps identify customer needs. The program provides women founders with curriculum and guidance from industry experts and an opportunity to pitch venture capital investors for feedback, mentoring, continued connections, and potential for funding.
Workplaces that Work for Women
BMO reached its North American enterprise goal of 40% sustainable gender equity ahead of pace – and continues forward with bold targets for robust representation of women in senior leadership roles across the bank. This work is underpinned by an interconnected strategy of talent programs to drive the mobility and promotion of women, and by the comprehensive benefits to support their progress in building long-term, meaningful careers at BMO.
New Ways of Working at BMO is a key pillar of the inclusivity agenda. BMO provides remote, hybrid and onsite work models that offer colleagues greater flexibility and support to integrate work-life balance. The bank has also introduced new benefits that include a Wellness at BMO Hub, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, 24/7 access to virtual mental health and family support referrals.
As an ethical leader in business, BMO is emboldened to lead in creating a workplace where everyone can be their authentic selves, develop their talents to achieve their highest potential, and receive support for work-life balance that drives meaning for all of us. We are excited about what is next at BMO as they work with customers, colleagues and communities to break down barriers for women.