on 23 june 1817, john richardson and eight merchants signed the articles of association to establish the montreal bank in a rented house in montreal, quebec. the bank officially began conducting business on 3 november 1817. this is the birth of canada's oldest bank. it underwent a name change to its current in 1822. bmo's institution number (or bank number) is 001. in canada, the bank operates as bmo bank of montreal and has more than 900 branches, serving over seven million customers.