Canada's BMO will require employees to return to office four days a week

June 26 (Reuters) - Canada's Bank of Montreal BMO.TO is calling employees back to the office four days a week starting September 15, it said on Thursday, following a similar move by peer Royal Bank of Canada RY.TO.

The new directive will apply where office space permits, Bank of Montreal said.

After years of embracing flexible work arrangements in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies are now pushing for a return to the office, arguing it strengthens in-person collaboration.

The financial industry has been more aggressive than the rest. JPMorgan Chase JPM.N, the largest U.S. bank, has started requiring employees to return to the office five days a week.

Bank of Montreal had nearly 54,000 employees as of last year.