BMO Financial Group today announced it has been included in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI) for the fifth year in a row. The global index recognizes companies committed to gender equality and inclusivity within the workplace and the community, and publicly demonstrates each company's commitment to equality and advancing women. This year, the index has expanded to include nearly 6,000 companies across 84 countries.

"Our global leadership in the area of gender inclusion is reflective of BMO's focus on building an inclusive society with zero barriers to inclusion," said Mona Malone, Chief Human Resources Officer & Head, People & Culture at BMO Financial Group. "Our purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life compels our actions in this space, and we thank Bloomberg for the recognition of these efforts for the fifth year in a row."

"We're also responding to the call for action with women entrepreneurs. This award celebrates our commitment to women business owners, to gender equality within our workforce and inclusive economic opportunity in our communities, which contribute to strengthening the economy on a local and global scale," adds Joanna Rotenberg , Group Head, BMO Wealth Management, BMO Financial Group.

BMO Financial Group is committed to diversity and inclusion through several initiatives including:

Fostering women in leadership

• BMO is committed to gender equality in its workplace. That's why for the past five years, women continue make up 40 per cent of its senior leaders, while a third of its board members are also women.
• BMO Alliance for Women, BMO's largest Enterprise Resource Group, with over 3,000 members, is dedicated to championing the inclusion, connection, development, advancement, and support of women for the betterment of BMO's business, communities and culture.
• In 2019, BMO announced that by 2025 it will double the bank's industry leading support for women entrepreneurs, including increasing the team of dedicated business relationship managers.

Providing support and resources

• BMO is a leader in its commitment to supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs and investors.

Empowering women in the community

• BMO is committed to closing the fairness gap giving women everywhere the opportunity to be leaders, catalyzers and builders—and grow the good for themselves and their communities.