Banking with PRIDE

From estate and retirement planning to buying a home, today's institutions are striving to meet the community's unique needs and challenges

- LORA GRADY

After a quarter of a century working in banking, BMO’s head of specialized sales, Tony Tintinalli, says he’s witnessed a revolution.

“When I first joined the bank (in 1998), I wasn’t even out at work,” he says. Since then, Tintinalli has been a big part of the effort to improve financial services for the LGBTQ community. BMO is a big supporter of Pride and organizations like the Rainbow Railroad, “but it’s not just about showing up at this time of the year,” he says. “It’s about providing advice and guidance 12 months of the year.”

BMO isn’t the only bank making progress; many now have staff who cater specifically to the LGBTQ community. Adam Leroux, TD’s regional manager of LGBTQ business development, GTA, points out that marginalized communities weren’t typically top of mind when different policies and procedures were originally created for banking products. “When specific groups aren’t present at the table making decisions, there are going to be gaps that can negatively impact those communities.”

Today, Leroux and other regional managers on his team connect with the community to learn more about their unique needs and challenges, then go back to the bank to usher in change, such as educating their colleagues through training, or advocating for updates on policies.

For Tintinalli, starting a conversation about money is the first step for anyone who wants to take control of their finances. “Getting comfortable with it is so important for us,” he says, adding, “when I think about myself as a gay man, there haven’t necessarily been a lot of role models. What does retirement look like for a member of our community?”