Independent Judges Highlight BMO's Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility Efforts

CHICAGO – December 13, 2023 – BMO has been named a Gold winner in the Corporate Social Program of The Year category at the prestigious Best in Biz Awards. These awards are a hallmark of excellence, distinguished by their rigorous and impartial judging, with influential editors and reporters from prominent North American publications participating in the annual award judging process.

BMO's remarkable achievement in the Corporate Social Program of The Year category is a testament to its unwavering commitment to empowering women-owned businesses through the BMO Celebrating Women Grant program. Established in 2021, this initiative has garnered acclaim for its profound impact on fostering financial progress for women entrepreneurs. In 2022, BMO's dedication was evident as it awarded a total of $80,000 in grants to eight outstanding entrepreneurs from across the United States. These grants served as a catalyst for business expansion, technological innovation, and workforce growth, igniting positive change within the communities they serve.

The 13th annual Best in Biz Awards featured fierce competition, with over 600 entries from public and private companies representing various industries and regions in the U.S. and Canada. The judges for this year's awards highlighted the breadth and depth of innovation, novel approaches to technology utilization, impressive workplace benefits, robust diversity and inclusion programs, and continued community engagement demonstrated by the winning companies. They also recognized the critical investments made in environmental and corporate social responsibility programs.

Niamh Kristufek, Head of U.S. Business Banking at BMO, expressed her excitement, saying, "We're thrilled that BMO has been recognized by Best in Biz for helping women entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. This recognition underscores our commitment to fostering women's entrepreneurship and empowering them to reach their business goals. At BMO, we believe in the transformative power of supporting women-led businesses, and this accolade further inspires us to continue championing diversity and inclusion in the business world."

Since its inception in 2011, Best in Biz Awards has maintained its status as the sole independent business awards program judged by prominent reporters and editors from leading publications in North America and around the world. The 2023 judging panel featured experts from notable outlets such as Ad Age, Computerworld, Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., Portland Tribune, and The Washington Post, ensuring a rigorous and impartial evaluation process.

"As in years past, determining winners in some categories was a matter of selecting the very best from among the very good and came down to the smallest details," remarked the Best in Biz Awards staff. "Each year, the judges are impressed by the innovations, growth, and change emanating from the winning companies and permeating across layers of society, from their employees through clients to local and global communities."

Best in Biz Awards 2023 celebrated excellence in 100 diverse categories, including Company of the Year, Fastest-Growing Company, Most Innovative Company, Best Place to Work, Executive of the Year, CSR Program, and more. To explore the full list of Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners in Best in Biz Awards 2023, visit: http://www.bestinbizawards.com/2023-winners.

About BMO Financial Group

BMO Financial Group proudly stands as the eighth largest bank in North America, boasting total assets of $1.3 trillion as of October 31, 2023. With a storied 200-year history of customer service, BMO comprises a diverse team of highly engaged professionals offering an extensive range of personal and commercial banking services, wealth management solutions, global markets expertise, and investment banking products and services to a customer base of 13 million across Canada, the United States, and select global markets. Driven by a singular purpose – to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life – BMO is resolute in its commitment to effecting positive change in the world, advancing towards a thriving economy, a sustainable future, and an inclusive society.

About Best in Biz Awards

Since 2011, Best in Biz Awards has been the only independent business awards program judged by a who's who of prominent reporters and editors from top-tier publications from North America and around the world. Over the years, judges in the prestigious awards program have ranged from the Associated Press to the Wall Street Journal, and winners have spanned the spectrum, from blue-chip companies that form the bedrock of the global economy to some of the world's most innovative start-ups and nimble local companies. Each year, Best in Biz Awards honors are conferred in two separate programs: North America and International, and in 100 categories, including company, team, executive, product, and CSR, media, PR, and other domains. For more information, visit: http://www.bestinbizawards.com.

Media Contact: Lucas Seiler, Chicago, lucas.seiler@bmo.com, 312-340-8576