News Releases
Financial Results Highlights:
Fourth Quarter 2009:
- Net income of $647 million, up $87 million or 16% from a year ago
- EPS1 of $1.11 and cash EPS2 of $1.13, both up $0.05 from a year ago
- Revenue increased 6.3% and expenses were reduced by 2.2% from a year ago
- Provision for credit losses of $386 million, down $79 million from a year ago. There was a $150 million increase in the general allowance last year and no change in the current quarter.
Fiscal 2009:
- Net income of $1,787 million, compared with $1,978 million a year ago
- EPS of $3.08 compared with $3.76 a year ago and cash EPS of $3.14 compared with $3.83 a year ago
- Income Before Credit Provisions and Income Taxes of $3.7 billion in fiscal 2009, up from $3.3 billion a year ago
- Provision for credit losses of $1,603 million comprised of specific provisions of $1,543 million and an increase in the general allowance of $60 million, compared with a provision for credit losses of $1,330 million a year ago comprised of specific provisions of $1,070 million and an increase in the general allowance of $260 million
- Adjusted cash EPS2 of $4.02 after excluding certain capital markets environment charges of $355 million after tax ($0.66 per share), severance costs of $80 million after tax ($0.15 per share) in the second quarter and an increase in the general allowance of $39 million after tax ($0.07 per share) in the third quarter
Toronto, November 24, 2009 – For the fourth quarter ended October 31, 2009, BMO Financial Group reported net income of $647 million or $1.11 per common share. Canadian personal and commercial banking reported strong results with net income of $394 million, up $70 million or 22% from a year ago.
Today, we announced a first-quarter 2010 dividend of $0.70 per common share, unchanged from the preceding quarter and reflective of an annual dividend of $2.80 per common share.
“Defining great customer experience means delivering in ways that are rooted in customer choice – with consistency at every interaction. It's a disciplined approach that, for us, is yielding results,” said Bill Downe, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. “Particularly during this past year, individuals and businesses needed to know that their banker would be there for them. BMO stood by its customers, listened, helped them make sense of the environment as it related to their individual circumstances and worked with them to make sure they were well-positioned for the recovery. By doing so, we also attracted new customers looking for a better banking experience.
“P&C Canada had another very good quarter, with $394 million of net income, up 22% from a year ago. Commercial banking continues to experience strong growth, with revenue up $55 million or 16%. Our market share for loans to small and medium-size businesses increased from the prior year. Our efforts to reach out to customers and help them save money and choose the best products for them are working. We have narrowed the gap to the industry leader on both personal and commercial loyalty scores relative to a year ago.
“BMO Capital Markets results for the quarter were strong. Although net income was in line with a year ago, in 2008 we benefited from significant income tax recoveries. There were improved corporate banking revenues and underwriting fees increased. In 2009, we saw very strong revenue growth, with relatively modest expense growth which reflected focused cost control. Net income for the year was up 49% to more than $1 billion.
“Private Client Group delivered good revenue growth in its business lines for the second consecutive quarter, reflective of improved equity markets and a continued focus on attracting new client assets. Net income was up strongly from a year ago, when results were affected by capital markets environment charges, and down somewhat from the third quarter which benefited from a recovery of prior periods' taxes. Our U.S. retail banking franchise saw net income consistent with the third quarter and up from a year ago. Our focus on new customer acquisitions, lending and deposit gathering is enhancing our reputation in the U.S. Midwest as a bank that is here to help.
“Our businesses gained strength over the course of 2009 as we have achieved strong revenue growth while keeping a firm grip on expenses. We maintained tight control over staffing levels and supplier costs while continuing to leverage opportunities for process simplification. We enter 2010 with strong capital and liquidity and the confidence of knowing that our consistent approach is turning customers into advocates. While we expect credit losses to remain elevated into 2010, we believe that we are well positioned for further growth as the economy improves,” concluded Mr. Downe.
1 All earnings per share (EPS) measures in this document refer to diluted EPS unless specified otherwise.
2 The adjustments that change results under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to cash results are outlined in the Non-GAAP Measures section at the end of Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), where such non-GAAP measures and their closest GAAP counterparts are outlined. Adjusted cash EPS is also a non-GAAP measure; please see details in the Notable Items section and also the GAAP and Related Non-GAAP Measures section.
Segment Overview
P&C Canada
Net income was a strong $394 million, up $70 million or 22% from a year ago. Revenue increased across each of our personal, commercial and cards businesses, led by volume growth across most products and improved net interest margin. There was particularly strong growth in personal and commercial deposits. Good revenue growth together with effective management of operating expenses, while investing for the future, has resulted in strong cash operating leverage of 8.7%.
Our strategy, of focusing on providing an excellent customer experience and improving productivity, is working. We have narrowed the gap to the industry leader on both personal and commercial loyalty scores relative to a year ago.
In personal banking, we focus on product offers that are consistent with our brand promises, such as BMO SmartSteps. Since the launch of this offer, more than 100,000 BMO customers have taken advantage of at least one of the steps we recommend to make more from their hard-earned money. The First Home Essentials kit, targeted to potential homebuyers and launched in November 2008, proved very popular and helpful to customers over the course of the past year. We continue to focus on expanding and upgrading our branch network in priority markets and on driving revenue growth and customer loyalty through effective use of our robust performance management system. In fiscal 2009, we opened 12 new branches, redeveloped 20 and closed two. We also closed 93 Instore branches, responding to our customers' preference for the full-service branches offering professional advice and relationship management capabilities, combined with the convenience of electronic banking channels.
In commercial banking, our goal is to become the bank of choice for businesses across Canada. We rank second in Canadian business market share. We are leveraging this success to grow revenues by having value-added conversations with our customers, offering them both business and personal solutions and delivering on a complete customer experience as a trusted advisor that meets all their financial needs.
In the cards business, we are the largest MasterCard issuer in Canada. We have simplified and enhanced our entire suite of credit card products by eliminating annual fees for 400,000 customers and doubling AIR MILES rewards for another 1.2 million customers, providing a best in class product offering for our customers. We are growing our cards business with prudent credit management and have a low credit loss rate relative to our peers.
Today, we announced that we have signed a definitive agreement to purchase the Diners Club North American franchise from Citigroup, a transaction that on completion will more than double BMO's corporate card business. The deal gives BMO exclusive rights to issue Diners Club cards to corporate and professional clients in the United States and Canada, and will add net receivables of almost US$1 billion. Diners Club is recognized around the world as a premier card program for employee Travel & Entertainment expense cards and the North American franchise also benefits from worldwide MasterCard acceptance. The acquisition will immediately enhance our competitive position by placing us among the top commercial card issuers in North America. The transaction, subject to satisfactory completion of certain closing conditions including regulatory approval, is anticipated to close before March 31, 2010.
P&C U.S. (all amounts in U.S. $)
Net income was $23 million, up $12 million from a year ago. Results benefited from reductions in integration costs and changes in the Visa litigation accrual. Higher levels of impaired loans and the costs of managing this portfolio have reduced net income in the quarter by $12 million (by $9 million a year ago).
Cash net income was $39 million, including a severance charge of $2.4 million after tax, on a basis that adjusts for the impact of impaired loans, integration costs and the Visa litigation accrual. This is in line with the last five quarters where cash net income on this basis had exceeded $40 million.
Deposits grew $1.5 billion or 7.7%. The deposit increase reflects our continued commitment to provide the right products and services for our customers. We have maintained our number two ranking for retail deposit market share in our Chicago area markets while network banks lost market share.
We are maintaining our focus on new customer acquisition in both the consumer and commercial businesses, while continuing to make loans and provide deposit services to our customers and prudently manage expenses. Mortgage originations have moderated in the quarter but remain strong with some growth in new home buyer activity. We continue to focus on the customer experience as reflected in our sustained high loyalty scores. Our retail net promoter score was 44 for 2009, compared with 42 in 2008, while the average scores of our large bank competitors declined. These efforts have positioned us well as we come out of the current economic downturn.
Given the economic environment in fiscal 2009 and its impact on our loan portfolios, we have strengthened our review and monitoring processes. We have also added expertise to our problem loan resolution teams to help our customers and to ensure effective management of our exposures.
Private Client Group (PCG)
Net income in the fourth quarter increased $26 million or 32% from the same quarter a year ago to $110 million. Results a year ago included charges of $31 million ($19 million) after tax associated with the decision to purchase certain holdings from our U.S. clients in the difficult market environment. The BMO Life Assurance acquisition increased net income by $9 million. Revenues were lower in the brokerage businesses but effective expense control contributed to improved results.
Net income for the quarter decreased $10 million from the third quarter. Results in the prior quarter included a $23 million recovery of prior periods' income taxes. Our lines of business achieved good revenue growth for the second consecutive quarter, as we remain focused on continuing to deliver the high level of service and advice that our clients expect, especially in the current economic environment.
PCG net income excluding the insurance business was $69 million, up $16 million or 29% from the third quarter. Revenue grew by 6.1% as there was continued improvement in equity markets and we maintained our focus on attracting new client assets. Assets under management and administration improved by $9 billion or 3.7%.
Net income in the insurance business was $41 million, a decrease of $26 million from the third quarter due primarily to that quarter's $23 million recovery of income taxes.
PCG announced the expansion of the exchange traded fund (ETF) product suite by launching nine new funds to offer a total of 13 funds. The ETF product line is part of our commitment to providing our clients with the most diverse group of products and solutions, and the best education and support in the field of investments, a testament to our dedication to helping clients make sense of their finances. BMO remains the only major Canadian financial institution to offer a family of these low-cost, easy-to-understand, risk-diversifying investment products.
The Globe and Mail ranked BMO InvestorLine best of the bank-owned brokerages in its 2009 online brokerage rankings.
BMO Capital Markets
Net income for the quarter was $289 million, in line with the prior year. However, results a year ago benefited from a $52 million recovery of prior periods' income taxes and a higher proportion of tax-exempt revenue. In this quarter, there were no capital markets environment charges. The prior year included largely offsetting gains and losses with respect to the capital markets environment.
Revenue for the quarter increased $172 million from a year ago to $894 million. Corporate banking revenues increased significantly primarily as a result of higher lending fees and higher net interest income. Equity and debt underwriting fees were also up from the prior year. Trading revenues were down from a year ago and investment securities gains increased.
To better serve clients with a more focused and integrated capital markets business, on November 16, 2009, we announced our definitive agreement with Paloma Securities, L.L.C to hire its securities lending team and acquire assets used in the securities lending business of Paloma Securities. The addition of this team will allow BMO Capital Markets to increase the scope of our existing North American securities lending operations. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in mid-December.
Our continued commitment to our clients is being noticed. During the quarter, BMO Capital Markets received the best FX Bank Canadian Dollar award from FX Week in their annual rankings and was named the best foreign exchange bank in Canada by European CEO magazine. We also achieved the top market share and research quality rankings in the Canadian Fixed Income annual survey conducted by Greenwich Associates, an independent research firm.
BMO Capital Markets was involved in 131 new issues in the quarter including 25 corporate debt and 27 government debt deals, eight issues of preferred shares and 71 common equity transactions, raising $45.8 billion, down $4.8 billion from the previous quarter.
Corporate Services
The net loss was $171 million for the quarter, with approximately two-thirds due to provisions for credit losses and the balance to low revenue. The net loss improved appreciably from the third quarter. There was a significant improvement in revenue and provisions for credit losses were better compared to the third quarter.
The net loss of $171 million in the quarter, compared with a net loss of $150 million in the prior year. Reduced revenues were partially offset by lower provisions for credit losses. Net interest income and net income have improved in Corporate Services in each quarter of 2009 due in part to management actions and more stable market conditions.
BMO employs a methodology for segmented reporting purposes whereby expected credit losses are charged to the operating groups quarterly based on their share of expected credit losses. The difference between quarterly charges based on expected losses and required quarterly provisions based on actual losses, as well as changes in the general allowance are charged (or credited) to Corporate Services.
Caution
The foregoing sections contain forward-looking statements. Please see the Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
Medium-Term Performance Targets
BMO has medium-term objectives of, over time, increasing EPS by an average of 10% per year, earning average ROE of between 17% and 20%, achieving average annual cash operating leverage of at least 2 percentage points, and maintaining a strong regulatory capital position.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Bank of Montreal's public communications often include written or oral forward-looking statements. Statements of this type are included in this document, and may be included in other filings with Canadian securities regulators or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or in other communications. All such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements may involve, but are not limited to, comments with respect to our objectives and priorities for 2009 and beyond, our strategies or future actions, our targets, expectations for our financial condition or share price, and the results of or outlook for our operations or for the Canadian and U.S. economies.
By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections. We caution readers of this document not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements.
The future outcomes that relate to forward-looking statements may be influenced by many factors, including but not limited to: general economic and market conditions in the countries in which we operate; interest rate and currency value fluctuations; changes in monetary policy; the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which we operate; changes in laws; judicial or regulatory proceedings; the accuracy and completeness of the information we obtain with respect to our customers and counterparties; our ability to execute our strategic plans and to complete and integrate acquisitions; critical accounting estimates; operational and infrastructure risks; general political conditions; global capital market activities; the possible effects on our business of war or terrorist activities; disease or illness that impacts on local, national or international economies; disruptions to public infrastructure, such as transportation, communications, power or water supply; and technological changes.
We caution that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all possible factors. Other factors could adversely affect our results. For more information, please see the discussion on pages 30 and 31 of the BMO 2008 Annual Report, which outlines in detail certain key factors that may affect our future results. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Bank of Montreal, investors and others should carefully consider these factors, as well as other uncertainties and potential events, and the inherent uncertainty of forward-looking statements. Bank of Montreal does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made, from time to time, by the organization or on its behalf, except as required by law. The forward-looking information contained in this document is presented for the purpose of assisting our shareholders in understanding our financial position as at and for the periods ended on the dates presented and our strategic priorities and objectives, and may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Assumptions about the level of asset sales, expected asset sale prices, net funding cost, credit quality and risk of default and losses on default of the underlying assets of the structured investment vehicles were material factors we considered when establishing our expectations regarding the structured investment vehicles discussed in this document, including the amount to be drawn under the BMO liquidity facilities and the expectation that the first-loss protection provided by the subordinate capital notes will exceed future losses. Key assumptions included that assets would continue to be sold with a view to reducing the size of the structured investment vehicles, under various asset price scenarios, and that the level of defaults and losses will be consistent with the credit quality of the underlying assets and our current expectations regarding challenging market conditions continuing.
Assumptions about the level of defaults and losses on defaults were material factors we considered when establishing our expectation of the future performance of the transactions that Apex Trust has entered into. Key assumptions included that the level of defaults and losses on defaults would be consistent with historical experience. Material factors that were taken into account when establishing our expectations of the future risk of credit losses in Apex Trust and risk of loss to BMO included industry diversification in the portfolio, initial credit quality by portfolio, the first-loss protection incorporated into the structure and the hedges that BMO has entered into.
Assumptions about the performance of the Canadian and U.S. economies as well as overall market conditions and their combined effect on the bank's business, including those described under the heading Economic Outlook, are material factors we consider when determining our strategic priorities, objectives and expectations for our business. In determining our expectations for economic growth, both broadly and in the financial services sector, we primarily consider historical economic data provided by the Canadian and U.S. governments and their agencies.
To view the rest of this news release consisting of:
| Financial Highlights | click here |
| Management's Discussion and Analysis | click here |
| Unaudited Financial Statements | click here |
INVESTOR AND MEDIA PRESENTATION
Investor Presentation Materials
Interested parties are invited to visit our website at www.bmo.com/investorrelations to review this quarterly news release, presentation materials and a supplementary financial information package online.
Quarterly Conference Call and Webcast Presentations
Interested parties are also invited to listen to our quarterly conference call on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. (EST). At that time, senior BMO executives will comment on results for the quarter and respond to questions from the investor community. The call may be accessed by telephone at 416-695-9753 (from within Toronto) or 1-888-789-0089 (toll-free outside Toronto). A replay of the conference call can be accessed until Monday, March 1, 2010, by calling 416-695-5800 (from within Toronto) or 1-800-408-3053 (toll-free outside Toronto) and entering passcode 3278113.
A live webcast of the call can be accessed on our website at www.bmo.com/investorrelations. A replay can be accessed on the site until Monday, March 1, 2010.
Media Relations Contacts
Ralph Marranca, Toronto, ralph.marranca@bmo.com, 416-867-3996
Ronald Monet, Montreal, ronald.monet@bmo.com, 514-877-1873
Investor Relations Contacts
Viki Lazaris, Senior Vice-President, viki.lazaris@bmo.com, 416-867-6656
Steven Bonin, Director, steven.bonin@bmo.com, 416-867-5452
Andrew Chin, Senior Manager, andrew.chin@bmo.com, 416-867-7019
Chief Financial Officer
Russel Robertson, Chief Financial Officer
russ.robertson@bmo.com, 416-867-7360
Corporate Secretary
Blair Morrison, Senior Vice-President, Deputy General Counsel,
Corporate Affairs & Corporate Secretary
corp.secretary@bmo.com, 416-867-6785
Annual Meeting 2010
The next Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.