June 26 (Reuters) - Canada's Bank of Montreal ( BNKD )

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 ).

The new directive will apply where office space permits,

Bank of Montreal ( BNKD ) 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 ), the largest U.S. bank, has started

requiring employees to return to the office five days a week.

Bank of Montreal ( BNKD ) had nearly 54,000 employees as of last

year.