“What I enjoy most is definitely the interface with our clients and employees,” says Mario Rigante. Photo: BMO Financial Group
Mario Rigante, BComm 96, has taken another step up the corporate ladder. He is now senior vice-president of BMO Financial Group in Quebec.
Rigante will lead a team of over 2,000 personal and commercial banking experts. BMO Financial Group’s Quebec Division serves over a million clients, who are serviced through a network of 146 branches.
“This job is different in the sense that it has a wider scope, from overseeing distribution and customer experience to retail and commercial banking as well as financial planning,” he says.
With over 20 years experience in leadership positions, Rigante is enthusiastic about leading a BMO team focused on helping customers make sound financial decisions. “What I enjoy most is definitely the interface with our clients and employees,” he says.
Last year, Rigante was vice-president, Commercial Banking, for the Metropolitan Montreal area. He was previously district vice-president, Laval and Northwest Quebec, since 2007.
BMO Financial Group was founded in 1817 as Bank of Montreal. It provides financial services for over 12 million clients across North America.
Rigante also serves his community as a member of various boards, including En Coeur Foundation that helps children suffering from heart problems and their families.
Rigante recalls his Concordia student years fondly: “What I remember the most is the vibrant student life, the multicultural learning environment and the engagement of the university and its students.”
He recommends the next generation of students choose a career they love so that it doesn’t feel like a job. “Give it all you’ve got and invest time and effort to obtain the highest returns!” he says.