News Releases

BMO Financial Group today announced that it will donate up to $440,000 to support relief efforts in the U.S. Gulf Coast following the destructive impact of Hurricane Katrina.

In Canada, BMO Financial Group will make a corporate contribution to the Canadian Red Cross of $100,000 and match its employee and customer contributions to the Canadian Red Cross, up to $100,000, for a total corporate donation of $200,000.

In the U.S., BMO Financial Group’s Chicago-based subsidiary, Harris, will make a corporate contribution of US$100,000 (approx. Cdn$120,000) to the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Hurricane Katrina Response Fund and match its employees’ and customers’ contributions to the Fund, up to US$100,000 (approx. Cdn $120,000) for a total Harris donation of US$200,000 (approx Cdn$240,000).

In Canada, to help those wishing to make a contribution, BMO Bank of Montreal branches across the country will begin accepting donations September 6 on behalf of the Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief fund. A list of BMO of Bank Montreal branches can be found at  www.bmo.com by clicking the ‘locate us’ link at the top of the web page.

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. BMO serves clients across Canada and the United States through its Canadian retail arm BMO Bank of Montreal; Chicago-based Harris, a major U.S. mid-west financial services organization; BMO Nesbitt Burns, one of Canada's leading full-service investment firms; and Harris Nesbitt, its U.S. investment and corporate banking operation.

- 30 -