News Releases

Bank of Montreal (TSX, NYSE: BMO) today announced that it intends to issue subordinated indebtedness under its Canadian Medium Term Note Program. The issue, the Series C Medium Term Notes, First Tranche, is a $500 million public offering due January 2015. Interest on this issue is payable semi-annually at a fixed rate of 4.00% until January 21, 2010, and at a floating rate equal to the rate on 3 month Bankers' Acceptances plus 1.00% (paid quarterly) thereafter to maturity.

Bank of Montreal may, at its option, with the prior approval of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada, redeem the subordinated indebtedness, in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, on not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days notice to registered holders. If redeemed prior to January 21, 2010, the redemption price will be the greater of the "Canada Yield Price" and par. The subordinated indebtedness is redeemable on and after January 21, 2010 at par. The "Canada Yield Price" is the price that would provide a yield from the redemption date to January 21, 2010 equal to the yield that a non-callable issue of Government of Canada bonds would carry from the redemption date to January 21, 2010 plus 0.08%.

The issue, which is expected to close on January 21, will add to the Bank's Tier 2 Capital base. The net proceeds of the offering will be used for general corporate purposes of Bank of Montreal.

BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. served as lead agent on the issue.

The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell in the United States.

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $265 billion as at October 31, 2004, and more than 33,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions. BMO Financial Group serves clients across Canada through its Canadian retail arm BMO Bank of Montreal and through BMO Nesbitt Burns, one of Canada's leading full-service investment firms. In the United States, BMO serves clients through Chicago-based Harris, an integrated financial services organization that provides more than 1.5 million personal, business, corporate and institutional clients with banking, lending, investing, financial planning, trust administration, portfolio management, family office and wealth transfer services.

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