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Diversity, equity and inclusion

We are committed to building a more just society – especially for groups facing systemic barriers, including our Black, Latino and Indigenous colleagues, customers and communities. BMO’s Zero Barriers to Inclusion 2025 is a multi-year strategy focused on providing access to opportunities and enabling growth both inside and outside our doors. It’s all part of our Purpose-driven commitment to boldly grow the good – in business and life.

BMO helps women business owners Grow the Good with the 2022 BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program

BMO helps women business owners Grow the Good with the 2022 BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program

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BMO Releases Wîcihitowin ᐑᒋᐦᐃᑐᐏᐣ – Annual Indigenous Partnerships and Progress Report and provides free access to eLearning to the public

BMO Releases Wîcihitowin ᐑᒋᐦᐃᑐᐏᐣ – Annual Indigenous Partnerships and Progress Report and provides free access to eLearning to the public

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BMO introduces new recruitment program for displaced persons, immigrants, and refugees

BMO introduces new recruitment program for displaced persons, immigrants, and refugees

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The Yukon Soaps Company : éliminer les obstacles tout en célébrant la culture autochtone

The Yukon Soaps Company : éliminer les obstacles tout en célébrant la culture autochtone

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Forbes names BMO Harris Bank one of the Best Employers for Diversity for the fourth year in a row

Forbes names BMO Harris Bank one of the Best Employers for Diversity for the fourth year in a row

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Canela: Woman-led startup changing Hispanic media

Canela: Woman-led startup changing Hispanic media

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BMO is first Canadian financial institution to launch True Name™ by Mastercard

BMO is first Canadian financial institution to launch True Name™ by Mastercard

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Building platforms for Black stories

Building platforms for Black stories

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Ujima—Learning about Black history and Black lives

Ujima—Learning about Black history and Black lives

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BMO for black entrepreneurs offers $100 million in loans to help black-led businesses

BMO for black entrepreneurs offers $100 million in loans to help black-led businesses

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BMO Harris Bank earns top score in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index

BMO Harris Bank earns top score in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index

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BMO included in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for seventh year in a row

BMO included in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for seventh year in a row

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BMO’s Ula Ubani recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women by WXN

BMO’s Ula Ubani recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women by WXN

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Giving with intention: $600,000 to advance Truth and Reconciliation

Giving with intention: $600,000 to advance Truth and Reconciliation

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Phyllis Webstad and the orange shirt

Phyllis Webstad and the orange shirt

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Part 1: Understanding the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Part 1: Understanding the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

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Part 2: Understanding the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Part 2: Understanding the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

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Reducing barriers to education for Indigenous students at Thompson Rivers University

Reducing barriers to education for Indigenous students at Thompson Rivers University

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BMO joins the Tent Partnership for Refugees

BMO joins the Tent Partnership for Refugees

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BMO unveils new diversity and representation goals

BMO unveils new diversity and representation goals

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Pride lives here

Pride lives here

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BMO Capital Markets Celebrates Diversity

BMO Capital Markets Celebrates Diversity

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BMO’s 18th Global Equity Through Education Trading Day raises C$1.65 million for education

BMO’s 18th Global Equity Through Education Trading Day raises C$1.65 million for education

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BMO’s Zero Barriers to Inclusion 2025 is a multi-year strategy that supports equity, equality and inclusion. We’re focused on providing access to opportunities and enabling growth for our colleagues, our customers, and the communities we serve.

Colleagues

We will ensure an equitable employee experience for all, supporting inclusion, wellness and improving access to development and career advancement for colleagues facing systemic barriers. View our representation goals in detail.

Customers

We’re expanding financial inclusion for diverse customers through inclusive banking products, services and resources. And we’re meeting customers’ needs by addressing their unique expectations and experiences.

Communities

We will be leaders in increasing inclusion in our communities, building strong relationships to foster inclusion, racial justice and Truth and Reconciliation, and promoting inclusive local economic opportunities.

TARGETED TALENT STRATEGIES
Programs to accelerate the recruitment, development and advancement of talent in underrepresented segments, ensuring wellness and psychological safety.
EDUCATION
Ongoing education in inclusive behaviour, anti-racism, and Indigenous history.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH
40% of our student opportunities will go to BIPOC youth.
BLACK AND LATINO ADVISORY COUNCIL
Focused on employee experience, advancement, and engagement of Black and Latino talent.
UNIQUE CUSTOMER PROGRAMS
Programs for Indigenous customers, increased investment in women entrepreneurs, Safe Space and Pronoun initiatives for 2SLGBTQ+.
INCLUSIVE POLICIES AND PRACTICES
Creating and expanding inclusive, accessible and equitable customer experiences.
BLACK AND LATINX OPPORTUNITY
Dedicated support for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs through increased access to capital, educational resources and partnerships.
PARTNERING AND BUILDING COALITIONS
Driving inclusive local economic opportunity, and providing youth financial education and mentoring.
INVESTMENT IN CHANGE
Helping build a more just society – especially for groups facing systemic barriers - with investments in organizations advancing health and educational equity, inclusive local economic opportunity, Truth and Reconciliation.
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM
Integrating diverse suppliers into our supply chain and making commitments to spending.
INDIGENOUS ADVISORY COUNCIL (IAC)
Informs BMO policies and practices in education, employment and economic empowerment.

Boldly Grow the Good

In Business and Life

BMO’s Zero Barriers to Inclusion 2025 is a multi-year strategy that supports equity, equality and inclusion. We’re focused on providing access to opportunities and enabling growth for our colleagues, our customers, and the communities we serve.

Colleagues

We will ensure an equitable employee experience for all, supporting inclusion, wellness and improving access to development and career advancement for colleagues facing systemic barriers. View our representation goals in detail.

PRACTICES
TARGETED TALENT STRATEGIES Programs to accelerate the recruitment, development and advancement of talent in underrepresented segments, ensuring wellness and psychological safety.
EDUCATION Ongoing education in inclusive behaviour, anti-racism, and Indigenous history.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH 40% of our student opportunities will go to BIPOC youth.
BLACK AND LATINO ADVISORY COUNCIL Focused on employee experience, advancement, and engagement of Black and Latino talent.
Customers

We’re expanding financial inclusion for diverse customers through inclusive banking products, services and resources. And we’re meeting customers’ needs by addressing their unique expectations and experiences.

PRACTICES
UNIQUE CUSTOMER PROGRAMS Programs for Indigenous customers, increased investment in women entrepreneurs, Safe Space and Pronoun initiatives for 2SLGBTQ+.
INCLUSIVE POLICIES AND PRACTICES Creating and expanding inclusive, accessible and equitable customer experiences.
BLACK AND LATINX OPPORTUNITY Dedicated support for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs through increased access to capital, educational resources and partnerships.
Communities

We will be leaders in increasing inclusion in our communities, building strong relationships to foster inclusion, racial justice and Truth and Reconciliation, and promoting inclusive local economic opportunities.

PRACTICES
PARTNERING AND BUILDING COALITIONS Driving inclusive local economic opportunity, and providing youth financial education and mentoring.
INVESTMENT IN CHANGE Helping build a more just society – especially for groups facing systemic barriers - with investments in organizations advancing health and educational equity, inclusive local economic opportunity, Truth and Reconciliation.
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM Integrating diverse suppliers into our supply chain and making commitments to spending.
INDIGENOUS ADVISORY COUNCIL (IAC) Informs BMO policies and practices in education, employment and economic empowerment.

Boldly Grow the Good

In Business and Life

We’re investing in zero barriers to financial progress

We're shining a light on business owners who have
broken barriers to be the success stories they are today.

Meet Shanelle McKenzie and Kim Knight of The Villij

Committed to redefining well-being, Shanelle and Kim founded The Villij as a wellness community for womxn of colour to feel seen and heard. At BMO, we’re inspired by business owners like Kim and Shanelle who continue to break barriers in business, and in life.

Meet Saul Arteaga, owner of SWITS (Southern Wisconsin Interpreting & Translation Services).

Refusing to let anyone else dictate his dreams, Saul founded SWITS to help meet the needs of his community. At BMO, we're inspired by business owners like Saul who continue to break barriers in business, and in life.

Meet Daphne Jones, owner of Glorious Malone's Fine Sausage.

Daphne Jones and her mother's story is one of perseverance. At BMO, we're inspired by business owners like Daphne who continue to break barriers in business, and in life.

MEET JOELLA HOGAN, OWNER & FOUNDER OF YUKON SOAPS COMPANY

With the mission to preserve her language and culture, Joella Hogan uses her business to share the stories of the Indigenous people of the Yukon. At BMO, we’re inspired by business owners like Joella who continue to break barriers in business, and in life.

Imagine what’s possible without barriers.

Our Commitment

$5 billion in capital for women-owned businesses.
Learn more about our support of women.
DOUBLE the size of our Indigenous Banking business.
BMO aims to double to volume of our Indigenous banking business by 2025. Learn more about our Indigenous banking services.
100 million in lending for Black owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
Learn more about our commitment to Black-owned businesses, and resources and programs available.
Accessibility

Accessibility

BMO is constantly working to remove barriers for our customers living with disabilities.

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Representation Goals

Representation goals

Our ambitious workforce representation goals illustrate our industry leadership in workforce diversity.

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Girl standing in front of water

Indigenous commitments

BMO is committed to progress for Indigenous customers, colleagues and communities.

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A BMO employee wearing an International Day of Pink t-shirt

Workplace diversity

BMO is focused on achieving zero barriers to inclusion by increasing diversity and inclusion across all levels of the organization.

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Sources

1Beta Kit, The Horrifying Truth about being a Black Woman Founder in Canada, June 5, 2020, Harvard Business Review, A VC’s Guide to a investing in Black Founders, June 19 2020.

2Groupon and National Black Chamber of Commerce, Black Small Business Survey, July 9 2020 - July 27 2020.

3Global Fintech Index, 2020

4Promise and Prosperity: The 2020 Aboriginal Business Survey, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, 2020.