(November 22 – 11:05 ET) – Bank of Montreal is making it possible for customers to “chat” online to obtain assistance when they apply for the bank’s personal lending products. The service allows customers to chat with a BMO mbanx Direct manager who can answer their questions and help them through the application process.

The bank says customers using a regular telephone line to complete an online application, no longer need to log off to call for clarification or to have any of their questions answered.

Bank of Montreal is the first of the major Canadian banks to offer the service. Customers may also take advantage of a 0.65 per cent rate reduction for online applications that are received and approved by January 31, 2001.

“Increasingly, more and more people are choosing to go online,” said Terry Fitzpatrick, vice president, consumer lending, Bank of Montreal. “We’ve designed the online personal lending experience to be convenient, easy to use and an attractive alternative to the traditional loan application process. This new service underscores our commitment to providing simple, flexible solutions that meet our customers’ changing needs.”

Earlier this year, the bank made all of its lending products available to customers online.
-IE Staff