BMO exceeds five-year, $5-billion EMpower program goal
Recently, BMO hosted its second annual EMpower summit. Focused on empowering economic equity and driving growth for Black and Latinx-owned businesses, the event featured several panels where business and community leaders shared their thoughts on a variety of topics impacting minority communities.
Eric Smith, U.S. Vice Chair, opened the event by thanking community leaders and business partners for their support of BMO’s EMpower program, our 5-year $5 billion commitment to tackle disparities that minorities face including educational resources, gaining access to capital, and wealth-building opportunities. Eric also announced that in just two years, BMO exceeded the $5 billion goal and has plans to go further through strategic partnerships and community involvement.
“I’m honored to work at BMO alongside so many others that work hard every day to bring progress and economic opportunities to the communities we serve,” says Eric Smith, U.S. Vice Chair, BMO Commercial Bank. “Driven by a single purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, we’re delivering value far beyond the bottom line. Working together with our customers, employees and the greater community, we look for opportunities to accelerate positive change and bring real financial progress to the individuals, families, and businesses we serve.”
Through direct lending, investing, giving and engagement we are tackling barriers to inclusion in the financial services industry to create more opportunity for recovery and success and working together to create a thriving economy for all. We thank our partners and guest speakers, Don Thompson of Cleveland Avenue and star of Shark Tank, Daymond John, who helped make our summit a success. We look forward to continuing to make a positive change for Black and Latin-x business owners and our communities.
