Banking for women, by women
The Harris Bank Women’s Division is a mid-century example of BMO’s history of supporting real financial progress for every woman. Established in 1956, a time when women were increasingly taking charge of their finances, the division was dedicated to serving their banking needs specifically.
The Women’s Division was entirely staffed by women and Jessamine Durante served as the divisional head. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Durante first entered the bank in 1932 as a stenographer, a common entry-level position for women at the time. Through her administration of the Women’s Division, she became one of the first women at Harris Bank to be promoted to the title of vice-president in 1971.
Under Durante’s direction, the division provided women with guidance on various matters, ranging from the benefits of certain bonds to the features of the bank’s loan plans. While the division was headquartered in Chicago, they also extended advice through the publication of “Woman’s Business,” a bi-monthly booklet on business and finances sent by mail to women customers along with their bank statements. This is just another example of BMO’s long history of inclusive banking practices.