Bill Downe

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William A. Downe (born in 1952 in Montreal) is a Canadian bank executive. He became president and chief executive officer of the Bank of Montreal (also known as BMO Financial Group) on March 1, 2007, having previously held the position of chief operating officer since February 2006, which made him the clear front-runner to succeed former BMO President & CEO Tony Comper. From 2001 to 2006, he was Deputy Chair of BMO Financial Group and Chief Executive Officer of the investment banking division BMO Nesbitt Burns, considered the second highest-ranking position in the organization.

Downe was chosen to replace Tony Comper as president and chief executive officer of BMO effective March 1, 2007, the day of BMO's annual general meeting.^{[1] [2] [3]}

He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Business Administration from the York University.

[edit] References

1. ^ Tony Comper to Retire as President and CEO of BMO Financial Group; Board Appoints Bill Downe as His Successor
2. ^ [http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1164754216970&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851 The Toronto Star: Uphill battle for next BMO boss Nov. 29, 2006]
3. ^ CBC News: BMO's Tony Comper to retire in March

[edit] External links

• Biography of William Downe at BMO corporate site