Banking in a winter wonderland
BMO has weathered over 205 winters since its founding in 1817. Along the way, we’ve become experts in helping customers make real financial progress come rain, sleet, or snow. Despite some bad weather over the years, BMO’s employees have always managed to have a bit of fun and make the most of inclement conditions.
Myrnam, Alberta
It was not uncommon in the early-twentieth century for bank employees to commute using unconventional modes of transportation, especially when navigating harsh winter roads. While some strapped on their snowshoes and some braced themselves for a bumpy journey by dog sled, others brought out the heavy machinery. H.L. Beairsto (Manager, Mannville branch) used a “Snow Flier” (early snowmobile) to make the 70-mile round trip from the Mannville branch to the Myrnam sub-agency twice a week. He sometimes traveled in 3-4 feet of snow so that he could serve the community.
Saintes-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec
Winters have also been an opportunity for branches to connect with their customers and get involved in local activities. In the mid-1950s, for example, the Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts branch celebrated the Laurentian Winter Carnival by displaying snow sculptures in front of their building. The branch’s snow sculpture from 1957 depicted carnival mascot Monsieur Bonhomme Carnaval with a Bank of Montreal passbook in hand while depositing a coin into a piggy bank. When life gives you snow, why not make snow sculptures and promote savings at the same time?
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Winter weather can put a wrench in even the most thorough of plans, as the staff of the Prince Rupert branch learned on the opening of their new premises in 1975. Branch staff had worked tirelessly in preparation for the opening; 500 balloons were inflated, refreshments were purchased (including three 18” x 24” sheet cakes), and employees from the British Columbia Division were scheduled to arrive by plane from Vancouver to join the celebrations.
The big day arrived, along with a major winter storm. There was initial concern that the plane carrying the Divisional personnel would not be able to land because of the high winds and poor visibility. When the plane was able to land, branch staff were faced with another concern. Would community members venture out in blizzard conditions to tour the new premises? Fortunately, 600 members of the Prince Rupert community attended the opening—nearly double the number of originally anticipated guests. By then, staff only had one more, albeit welcome, challenge to tackle: they needed to kick on their snow boots and brave the snowy streets to buy more cake!
