by Martin Menezes - Canada

November 28: Established in 1817, as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group, is a highly diversified financial services organization. With total assets of $298 billion at October 31, 2005 and more than 34,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions. It is Canada's first bank, opened for business on November 3, 1817.

The first Canadian bank to open branches abroad, it has long been active in markets in Europe, Latin America, and East Asia as well as in the United States. Today it continues as one of Canada's pre-eminent financial institutions and a significant presence in United States and world markets.

Every year BMO awards “Community Hero of the Game”, to recognise outstanding individuals who go above & beyond, dedicate their time and resources for the social benefit of the community. It nominates leaders from the general public for this outstanding award.

BMO has stringent criteria’s for this prestigious award and Max Mendes has been chosen as “Community Hero of the Game 2006”. This award is given to him in recognition of outstanding leadership, community spirit, positive attitude and visionary thinking.

BMO appreciates his exemplary role for:

• Reviving and supporting Konkani his homeland culture to Canada to promote multicultural society.
• Providing a platform for youth to show their talents by his cultural and talent shows
• Social and charitable works in Canada and Mangalore, India
• Being an outstanding business achiever in his profession
• His leadership qualities in founding Canaraworld foundation and being a founding member of Mangalorean Association of Canada.
• Uniting the community, harnessing the power of the youth and providing a platform for the young and old to meet and exchange their ideas.
• Bank of Montreal recognises and congratulates Max Mendes for this dedication and leadership role in the society and wishes him good luck in his future endeavours.
• He was honoured as the COMMUNITY HERO OF THE GAME featuring Toronto Maple Leaf’s v/s.Boston Bruins on November 25th 2006 at the Air Canada Centre.

More about Max Mendes: