The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Bank of Montreal says it is moving ahead with plans to open more than 130 bank branches in California and 15 in Arizona over the next five years as it seeks to focus on the Western United States. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe says the move comes after the bank announced in October it was selling 138 branches in states like North Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma, saying at the time it planned to concentrate on markets with the greatest potential for long-term growth. BMO significantly expanded its U.S. presence after it took over Bank of the West for $16.3-billion (U.S.) in 2023. The new branches in California will build on the more than 220 financial centres it already has in the state. BMO says it plans to open seven branches this year in Greater Los Angeles, the Bay Area and San Diego with details to come on other locations, while it will focus expansion plans in Arizona in the Phoenix and Tucson markets over the next few years. Several of Canada's biggest banks have been pushing for further U.S. expansion to take advantage of the much larger market, including Royal Bank of Canada, which operates the Los Angeles-based City National bank.