Bank of Montreal (BMO.TO) plans to open over 130 new financial centers in California and around 15 in Arizona over the next five years, as part of its expansion strategy to expand its presence in the U.S. West following the sale of several branches last year. The bank plans to create hundreds of jobs and expand access to in-person and advice-led banking services. BMO, the third-largest Canadian bank by market value, also plans to establish 150 new branches in the US. The expansion is part of a broader expansion strategy aimed at expanding its footprint in California.