News Releases
TORONTO and NEW YORK, September 19, 2008 – BMO Capital Markets announced today it will donate CDN $1.7 million (US$1.6 million) to nine charities across North America through the firm's Equity Through Education charitable initiative.
Commissions earned on all institutional equity trades executed by BMO Capital Markets in Canada and the U.S on September 17 helped generate a total of $1.7 million
“In the current market environment, this represents a truly heroic effort, and I want to congratulate our Equity Products team – and our clients – for demonstrating the commitment, dedication and leadership that are required to make this program such a success,” said Eric Tripp, President, BMO Capital Markets. “The funds raised through Equity Through Education will make a real difference in the lives of hundreds of bright and talented youth who have educational ambitions but limited opportunities to realize them.”
Nine North American organizations who promote education will share in the day's trading day commissions: Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation (CMSF); the Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (FAAY); the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS); The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation (NAAF); Pathways Canada; Youth in Motion's Top 20 under 20 Program, the Jackie Robinson Foundation; YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network; and the Financial Women's Association.
Since the launch of the program in 2005, Equity Through Education has raised more than CDN$6.6 million / US$5.8 million to support education and diversity. More than 1,500 individuals have benefited from the program through scholarships, bursaries, mentoring programs and job search strategy forums.
BMO Capital Markets, through its parent, BMO Financial Group, has a proud tradition of supporting community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility to the communities it serves. In 2007, BMO Financial Group contributed $50.4 million in donations, sponsorships and events in Canada and the United States to support charities, not-for profit organizations and programs in communities across Canada and the United States.
About BMO Capital Markets
BMO Capital Markets is a leading full-service North American financial services provider, with over 2,400 employees operating in 14 North American offices and 26 worldwide, offering corporate, institutional and government clients access to a complete range of investment and corporate banking products and services. BMO Capital Markets is a member of BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), one of the largest diversified financial services providers in North America with US$375 billion total assets and more than 37,000 employees as at July 31, 2008.
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