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At Laurentian Bank, we believe that better begins when everyone feels like they belong and has the chance to thrive. We believe in bringing hopes and dreams to life. We believe diversity is a strength, equality sparks opportunity and investing in our future can’t wait another day. Above all, by seeing beyond numbers, we believe we can change banking for the better. For you.

 

 

PUTTING THE NEEDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS FIRST

  • Text in image: Mission – we help customers improve their financial health.
  • Text in image: Vision – everyone should have access to a financial professional.
  • Text in image: Values – Proximity, simplicity, honesty

OUR THREE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

  • Text in image: Foundation – Building a stronger foundation
  • Text in image: Growth – investing in profitable growth
  • Text in image: Performance – improving performance
History
1846 – 1895: Laying the Foundations of a Tradition of Excellence

1846 - 1895

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1846
Jan 01

1846

On May 26, 1846, the Montreal City and District Savings Bank (which was eventually to become Laurentian Bank of Canada) is founded by Monsignor Ignace Bourget, second Bishop of Montreal, and by a group of 15 prominent Montrealers from many linguistic and denominational communities. After its first year of operation, the Banks serves 500 clients with $117,400 in assets.

Jan 01

1860

The Bank’s accounts grow from 1,301 to 3,072 between 1850 and 1860, with deposits totalling $746,043.

Jan 01

1871

Twenty-five years after its creation, the Bank serves 11,000 clients and holds $3 million in deposits. The organization becomes a share capital limited company and is awarded a federal charter. The institution moves to 262, rue Saint-Jacques in Montreal, which remains its Head Office for more than a century.

1896 – 1946: Evolving with Prudence

1896 - 1946

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1896
Jan 01

1896

The Bank celebrates its 50th anniversary with approximately 50,000 depositors and $9.3 million in assets.

Jan 01

1911

The Bank launches an extensive school savings program in collaboration with the Montreal Catholic School Commission.

Jan 01

1921

The bank celebrates its 75th anniversary. Its assets amounted to $ 49 million.

Jan 01

1939

The Bank becomes the first institution of its kind to hold a trust company with the creation of the Montreal City and District Trustees (later to be known as Laurentian Trust). The organization’s workforce numbers 300, and it operates 25 points of service.

Jan 01

1946

Celebrating its centennial, the Bank posts assets of $124 million and profits of $455,000 ($2.27 per share). The institution serves 341,000 clients via its 24 branches.

1947 – 1979: From Post-War to Modernization

1947 - 1979

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1947
Jan 01

1948

As a result of legislative changes adopted by the Government, the bank receives the power to grant personal loans and mortgages.

Jan 01

1954

The Quebec Savings Bank Act is sanctioned, allowing the institution to open branches throughout the southern province of Quebec.

Jan 01

1958

The Savings Bank replaces its old manual accounting system with new punch card equipment.

Jan 01

1965

The Bank lists its shares on the Montreal Stock Exchange.

Jan 01

1968

A revision of the Bank Act and of the Savings and Credit Unions Act provided the banks the right to determine the interest rate paid and charged, solely regulated by the market. The Bank installs a computer system.

Jan 01

1972

All branches adopt an online system to process savings account transactions, personal loan files and term deposits. As such, the Bank becomes the first financial institution in Canada to link all its branches to a central computer. The Bank inaugurates the Drive-Through banking service, allowing clients to make bank transactions from their car.

Jan 01

1974

The Bank installs its Bancaide system, the first generation of automated banking machines

Jan 01

1975

The Bank opens its first branch outside the Montreal region in Granby.

Jan 01

1976

The Bank’s assets reach $1 billion.

1980s: Expansion Outside Québec and the Emergence of High Technology

1980s

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1980
Jan 01

1980

Changes in federal banking legislation allow the Savings Bank to enter the commercial loan market and grant loans to companies of up to $100,000.

Jan 01

1983

The Bank lists its shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Jan 01

1984

The Bank installs its first Oscar automated banking machine, allowing for a greater range of transactions. The consolidated assets of the organization and its subsidiaries reach close to $5 billion.

Jan 01

1987

The Montreal City and District Savings Bank changes its name to become Laurentian Bank of Canada, of which Laurentian Group Corporation becomes the majority shareholder.

Jan 01

1988

Laurentian Bank moves its Head Office to 1981 McGill College Avenue. After merging with Eaton Trust, the Bank establishes its presence in Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. Its network encompasses 128 branches (mostly in Québec) and more than 2,000 employees.

1990 – 2001: Accelerated Growth and Major Changes in Direction

1990 - 2001

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1990
Jan 01

1992

The Bank acquires La Financière Coopérants Prêts-Épargne Inc. and Guardian Trust Company.

Jan 01

1993

The Bank acquires General Trust Corporation and purchases most of the Société Nationale de Fiducie’s assets from the brokerage firm BLC Rousseau, thus creating Laurentian Bank Securities (LBS).

Jan 01

1994

Following the merger of Laurentian Group and Mouvement Desjardins. The Desjardins-Laurentian Financial Corporation becomes the new majority shareholder of Laurentian Bank of Canada. The Bank acquires a number of assets of Prenor Trust of Canada and Manulife Bank of Canada’s 12 branches.

Jan 01

1995

The Bank acquires 30 branches of North American Trust in Ontario and Western Canada. Between 1987 and 1995, Laurentian Bank’s average annual asset growth is in the order of 15.8%.

Jan 01

1996

The Bank celebrates its 150th Anniversary with assets in excess of $12.5 billion and close to 3,400 employees. The institution launches its LBCDirect telebanking services and acquires the parent corporation of Trust Prêt et Revenu du Canada.

Jan 01

1997

Subsequent to the withdrawal of its principal shareholder — Desjardins-Laurentian Financial Corporation — the Bank becomes a Schedule 1 institution. This new status allows for easier and freer financing of the institution’s activities through capital stock issues.

Jan 01

2000

The Bank acquires all Sun Life Trust Company stock in a transaction that results in the creation of the new B2B Trust subsidiary. Through its LBS subsidiary, the Bank acquires the brokerage firm of Tassé & Associates Limited. The Bank integrates 43 branches in Quebec acquired from Scotiabank.

2002 – 2008: Transformation and Strategic Positioning

2002 - 2008

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2002
Jan 01

2002

B2B Trust wins the Québec Finance Grand Prix Award as Financial Institution of the Year.

Jan 01

2003

Management announces its intention to concentrate activities within markets in which the Bank excels and holds a strong position —for direct retail financial services in Québec, and for its other services throughout Canada. The Bank puts its 57 branches in Ontario and Western Canada up for sale.

2009 to 2014: Reinforcing Leadership Positions

2009 to 2014

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2009
Jan 01

2009

The Bank posts record growth for a third consecutive year, with loans and deposits of close to $5 billion and record net income of $113 million. Furthermore, it obtains an exclusive contract for the operation of ABMs in the Montréal subway system. Today, the organization operates a total of 72 machines throughout the Société de transport de Montréal network. Moreover, in recognition of its contribution to the province’s development, Laurentian Bank is inducted into the Québec Business Hall of Fame by the Québec Federation of Chambers of Commerce.

Jan 01

2010

The Bank posts record net income for the fourth consecutive year totaling $122.9 million, while its earnings per share rise for the sixth year in a row. It also opens its second generation financial services boutique in Québec City and LaSalle, in addition to inaugurating its Laurentian Bank Career Station, a unique and innovative talent recruitment centre permanently located at the Berri-UQÀM subway station. As well, the Bank is named the second most admired banking institution among Québecers for a third consecutive year.

Jan 01

2011

The Bank proceeds with the acquisition of MRS Companies via its B2B Trust subsidiary and concludes a Mackenzie mutual fund distribution agreement for the Retail and SME Financial Services sector. Moreover, the organization posts notable growth over the last five years, with its balance sheet assets up by 40%, its total revenues by 42%, and net income by 81%. The Bank is also among the Québec and Atlantic region winners of the 2011 Most Admired Corporate Cultures competition.

Jan 01

2012

B2B Trust becomes federally chartered B2B Bank to better reflect the nature of its loan and deposit activities. Laurentian Bank proceeds with the acquisition of AGF Trust, which consolidates B2B Bank’s positioning as leading provider of products and services to independent financial advisors across Canada. In order to reinforce its capitalization, Laurentian Bank goes ahead with capital issues in the order of $482 million, and its total assets surpass the $35 billion mark.

Jan 01

2013

Laurentian Bank posts record results for a seventh consecutive year and surpasses the $150 million mark in adjusted net income for the first time in its history. The Bank also pursues the integration of MRS Companies and AGF Trust, and it introduces new financing solutions for businesses.  The institution’s dividend on common shares reaches $1.98, up by 52% over five years. 

Jan 01

2014

Laurentian Bank posts record results for an eighth consecutive year, with activities conducted outside Québec accounting for 50% of the organization’s profitability. The integration of MRS Companies and AGF Trust is completed, thereby doubling the size of B2B Bank and reinforcing its leadership position within its market. The Bank launches two new and very promising product lines during the course of the year — equipment financing products intended primarily for small and medium-sized enterprises, and alternative mortgage solutions offered to mortgage brokers by B2B Bank.

2015 - Today: The New Great Canadian Financial Institution

2015 - Today

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2015
Jan 01

2015

Laurentian Bank posts record results for a ninth consecutive year, with all of its principal activity sectors generating solid growth and its profitability objectives being achieved. For its part, B2B Bank sees the volume of its mortgage and business loan portfolios increase by 34% and 18% respectively. The organization launches  its seven-year transformation plan with clear objectives to accomplish by 2022: achieve a return on equity that is comparable to the Canadian banking industry, double the size of our organization and, build a solid strategic foundation.

Jan 01

2016

Laurentian Bank acquires the Canadian equipment financing and corporate financing activities of CIT Group Inc. This transaction provides a more complete line of products and services, a larger pool of customers and an enhanced sales force deployment. The Bank takes the opportunity to regroup all of its equipment financing activities in a new national subsidiary called LBC Capital.

Jan 01

2017

LBC Capital acquires Northpoint Commercial Finance, which is among the leading US and Canadian inventory finance lenders, resulting in an attractive end-to-end equipment finance platform which broadens our Canadian offering and create a US presence, an important customer attribute for manufacturers and dealers looking for a single North American point of service. Also, Laurentian Bank announces the creation of a new technology subsidiary, LBC Tech, bringing together all IT teams under one entity

Jun 29

2018

Laurentian Bank partnered with THE EXCHANGE® Network to increase access for customers to bank at more than 3,600 ABMs from coast to coast from over 170 participating financial institutions. This move gives customers more points of service to carry out most of their day-to-day transactions with no additional ABM surcharge fees.

Jun 29

2019

The Bank inaugurated its new advisory model for Retail services in response to the evolving needs of its diversified clientele. Personal and Commercial Banking customers can now benefit from personalized advice services offered by a multidisciplinary team of experienced advisors, financial planners, private bankers and commercial account managers – all under one roof.

2020
Jun 29

2020

In response to the unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic, Laurentian Bank was proud to introduce special measures aimed at assisting Personal and Commercial Banking customers facing financial hardships. The Bank also took a number of precautions to protect the health and well-being of our team members during this difficult time.  Later in the year, Laurentian Bank appointed Rania Llewellyn as President and CEO and member of the Board of Directors. Ms. Llewellyn became the first woman to lead a major Canadian bank.

Jun 29

2021

A very special year that sees Laurentian Bank celebrate our 175th anniversary, which is an opportunity to reflect on our remarkable past and to build upon our roots for sustained future growth. The Bank will be commemorating this achievement throughout the year with a number of activities and celebrations for its employees, customers and communities.