BMO Bank of Montreal has announced the executive leadership appointment of Stephen Gardner, regional vice-president of personal banking for Central and Northern Vancouver Island.

Gardner leads a team of 100 financial professionals who serve customers at 11 branches, including a Courtenay office.

Gardner holds an MBA from Queen鈥檚 University and has 12 years鈥� experience with BMO in various roles, including his previous position where he was the commercial banking area manager for the central and northern Island.

鈥淭hroughout his career at BMO Stephen has demonstrated a commitment and passion to customer service and sales, in addition to being actively involved in fundraising for BC Children鈥檚 Hospital Foundation,鈥� said Joanne Gassman, senior vice-president, BC & Yukon Division. 鈥淲ith the establishment of regional vice-president positions in local marketplaces, we wanted to ensure that BMO leaders are closely attuned to our clients鈥� needs and the communities we serve."

鈥淢y colleagues and I are committed to helping our customers make sense of financial matters and providing personalized financial solutions during each branch visit or conversation,鈥� said Gardner.

BMO has been serving British Columbians for more than 125 years. The first branch opened in Vancouver in 1887. Today, more than 3,000 employees serve customers from 120 branches throughout B.C. and the Yukon.