Celebrating Excellence: American Banker names BMO leaders the “Most Powerful Women in Banking”
This week, American Banker named BMO’s team of women leaders among the 2024 “Most Powerful Women in Banking.” This prestigious recognition highlights their outstanding professional achievements and their significant impact on the financial services industry and our communities.
American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking initiative recognizes individuals and teams for demonstrating exceptional leadership skills, strong business performance and a commitment to driving real outcomes for diversity equity and inclusion in financial services.
Over the past year, BMO’s successful acquisition and integration of Bank of the West (BOTW) was led by team of over 50 percent women who were responsible for transforming BMO into a top 10 U.S. bank with a physical presence in 32 states and more than 4 million U.S. customers.
BMO received a 2024 Celent Model Bank Award for Integration Excellence, recognizing the bank for extraordinary efforts and best practices in migrating and onboarding the new customer base moving from BOTW to BMO within a brief period and exemplary customer service before and after the integration.
As a result of Team BMO’s dedication and management, 2 million customers joined BMO, thousands of new team members were onboarded to the bank’s systems and culture, 330 systems were converted, and 500 branches were rebranded across our expanded markets.
Along with acknowledging BMO’s talented team of women leaders, American Banker also recognized Ernie Johannson, Group Head, North American Personal and Business Banking, BMO Financial Group, by ranking her on the publication’s 2024 list of the Most Powerful Women in Banking for the sixth-consecutive year. Amy Bartlett, Managing Director & Head, Global Markets Corporate Banking, was also included on the NEXT list highlighting executives under 40 who have successfully executed major internal projects, initiated meaningful change, and shaped the future of financial services.
“Over the past year, Ernie, Amy and BMO’s entire team of talented women leaders have led our bank through a period of impactful change and accelerated U.S. growth,” said Darrel Hackett, Chief Executive Office, BMO U.S. “This recognition is a testament to the team’s commitment to driving real financial progress for our customers, colleagues and communities.”
This recognition by American Banker not only honors our leaders’ business acumen and professional achievements but also highlights their tenacity and their lasting impact on the communities we serve. Congratulations to Ernie, Amy and Team BMO on this well-deserved recognition!
