(From left) Honorary Colonel Omar Abouzaher and Rick Campagna of BMO attend the 2024 Vimy Gala along with residents and administrators of Perley Health, a long-term care facility for seniors and many cherished Veterans in Ottawa. Rick serves on the Board of Directors of the Perley Health Foundation.
By Brenda Moring
BMO’s relationship with the Canadian military began within a year of its founding in 1817, when the bank began providing banking services to the Governor of Upper and Lower Canada to finance administrative and military life. Since 2008, BMO has been the Official Bank of the Canadian Defence Community, serving the banking needs of regular force personnel, reserves, recruits, military families, Veterans and retirees, as well as Department of National Defence and Staff of the Non-Public Funds civilian personnel, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Coast Guard.
BMO’s commitment to the Canadian military is deeply rooted in the bank’s Purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. Across three pillars – customers, communities and colleagues – the bank is dedicated to enhancing the lives of military personnel, Veterans and their families and helping them make real financial progress.
BMO Branch Manager Kevin Cheung visits a local Reserve Unit in Vancouver to collect inspiring messages on yellow sashes to be hand-delivered to athletes from all nations during the Invictus Games in February. Colleagues, customers and partners are invited to share their words of encouragement and support
In Ottawa, this is evident by the tireless work of BMO Personal Banking Regional Vice Presidents Riccardo (Rick) Campagna and Omar Abouzaher, who advocate for military-ready programs and initiatives and strengthen cultural connections between organizations. Last April, Omar was named Honorary Colonel of the Governor General’s Foot Guard.
Annually, Rick and Omar represent BMO as presenting sponsor of the Canada Army Run. In December, they joined Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Army, to present a 2024 Canada Army Run donation cheque totalling $400,000 to Support Our Troops and Soldier On, building on BMO’s $100,000 multiyear gift to Support Our Troops.
Customers: Tailored Financial Solutions
More than 112,000 members of the Canadian Defence Community bank with BMO, facilitated by approximately 90 branches serving more than 33 military bases, wings and units across Canada. The Canadian Defence Community Banking (CDCB) program, designed to meet the unique needs of military members and their families, offers a range of benefits, including:
• No Monthly Fee Performance Chequing Account: This account helps military personnel save on banking fees and includes features like unlimited Interac e-Transfers and five non-BMO ATM withdrawals per month. In 2024, CDCB customers saved over $21 million in monthly banking fees.
Honorary Colonel Omar Abouzaher poses with members of the Governor General’s Foot Guards regiment at the Canada Army Run in September 2024. The Ceremonial band also performed on the grounds of Rideau Hall to encourage the runners. The Guards’ presence showcased their vital role in both ceremonial and operational capacities, demonstrating the ongoing commitment to excellence within the Canadian Army.
• Mortgage Flexibility: BMO offers flexibility to break mortgages without penalty for those posted through the Canadian Armed Forces Relocation Directive.
• BMO Support Our Troops Mastercard: A portion of every purchase made with this BMO credit card goes toward Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services programs, generating more than $1.1 million in donations to date.
These tailored banking solutions demonstrate BMO’s commitment to helping military families make real financial progress.
Communities: Strengthening Bonds
and Providing Support
BMO’s relationship with the Canadian Defence Community is a deep and holistic partnership. The bank actively supports initiatives aimed at improving the lives of military personnel and their families. Community support includes:
Invictus Games 2025: From February 8 to 16, BMO is proud to be an Official Gold Sponsor of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, bringing together wounded, injured and sick service personnel and Veterans from over 20 nations to compete in adaptive sports. Supported by leading organizations and approximately 1,600 volunteers from across the world, the Invictus Games celebrate the resilience and determination of all competitors who have overcome adversity and embraced the power of sport in their recovery journey.
Homes For Heroes Foundation: BMO recently announced a $1.5 million multiyear gift to the Homes For Heroes Foundation to accelerate the National Veterans’ Villages program, which helps homeless Veterans transition to independent civilian living by offering permanent housing, job opportunities and mental health support.
Support for Military Events: BMO sponsors events such as the Royal Canadian Air Force Run, Navy Bike Ride and Canada Army Run, fostering community spirit and raising funds for morale and welfare programs. In 2024, BMO sponsored the RCAF Centennial and air shows across the country.
Partnerships with Veteran Organizations: BMO collaborates with organizations like Canada Company, Wounded Warriors and True Patriot Love to support Veteran mental health and wellbeing. In 2022, BMO announced a $100,000 multiyear gift to the Perley Health Foundation to create the BMO Innovation Hub for frailty care research, collaboration and community engagement that transforms quality of life for Veterans and seniors.
Gayle Ramsay, Head, Everyday Banking, Segments and Customer Growth, BMO, summed it up well: “As the Official Bank of the Canadian Defence Community, BMO’s commitment to the military community is incredibly inspiring. By investing in community programs, BMO helps break down barriers and create inclusive environments where military families can thrive – supporting these organizations is the heart of BMO’s Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. In times of war and in times of peace, BMO stands by Veterans, who have sacrificed so much for the benefit of all.”
Colleagues: Fostering a Military-Ready Workplace
BMO Personal Banking Regional Vice President Omar Abouzaher, at right, became the Governor General’s Foot Guard’s Honorary Colonel at a Change of Appointment Ceremony in April 2024. Omar became acquainted with the regiment through the 150th Anniversary Campaign as the Guards were supporting the establishment of Veteran’s House Canada, a home for homeless Veterans in Ottawa.
Up the Guards.
BMO recognizes the valuable skills and experiences that military personnel bring to the civilian workforce. “The transition from military to civilian life can be challenging, but incredibly successful and rewarding. Those in service have had experiences requiring the critical thinking, dedication and leadership you need when responsible for people’s lives. BMO respects those skills and unique experiences and embraces the perspectives they bring,” said Major-General (Retired) David Fraser, Defence and Security Sector Advisor at BMO and Chair of The Council of Honorary Colonels of the Canadian Army.
The bank is committed to being a military-ready employer, offering various programs and benefits to support Veterans and reservists within the organization:
Veterans Advisory Council: The BMO Veterans Advisory Council Employee Resource Group serves as a supportive network for colleagues who are Veterans and reservists. This group plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and belonging within the bank.
Military Leave Top-Up: BMO provides a military leave top-up for employees who are reservists, ensuring they receive financial support while they are away for military training or service, along with up to 30 days of job-protected leave for employees with family members who are reservists.
Employment Opportunities: BMO maintains a military-ready hiring page at jobs.bmo.com and is one of the founding employment partners of the Military Spousal Employment Network.
Military Programming Through the Years
• 2008: BMO partners with Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) to become the Official Bank of the Canadian Defence Community, launching a group banking program to meet the unique needs of military life.
• 2009: BMO establishes a commercial banking relationship with CFMWS and partners with the organization to offer the BMO Support Our Troops Mastercard.
• 2017: BMO introduces the No Monthly Fee Performance Chequing Account for military personnel, helping them save on banking fees.
• 2021: BMO launches a Business Banking program supporting military entrepreneurship.
• 2021: BMO announces donations to three organizations dedicated to the physical, mental and financial well being of Veterans: Last Post Fund, Veterans’ House Canada and Wounded Warriors Canada.
• 2023: BMO reaches a milestone of serving over 100,000 military-connected customers through the CDCB program.
As a long-time supporter of the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans, BMO announced a $1.5 million donation to the Homes For Heroes Foundation at The Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto. This partnership is inspired by BMO’s Purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life and supports our commitment to a more inclusive society by expanding the social services and housing that help Veterans successfully transition back to civilian life.
• 2023: BMO expands its benefits for military personnel, including a military leave top-up for reservists and job-protected leave for reservists’ family members.
• 2024: BMO announces a $1.5 million multiyear gift to the Homes For Heroes Foundation to provide housing and social services to homeless Veterans.
• 2024: BMO becomes an Official Gold Sponsor of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, supporting service members and Veterans through adaptive sports.
