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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 20, 2011) - BMO Capital Markets, the investment and corporate banking arm of BMO Financial Group (NYSE:BMO)(TSX:BMO), has been named the Best Trade Bank in Canada by Trade Finance magazine for the second consecutive year.

"It is a testament to BMO Capital Markets' expertise in trade finance that the bank has for a second year been voted Best Trade Bank in Canada in the Trade Finance magazine Awards for Excellence," said Oliver O'Connell, New York-based editor of Trade Finance magazine. "Trade is vital for the Canadian economy, and poll respondents clearly recognise and value the calibre of advice, in-depth knowledge and service that BMO offers."

BMO's accomplishment will be highlighted in the July edition of Trade Finance.

The annual survey encompasses industry votes and feedback from Canadian participants, as well as input from the magazine's editorial team. Manufacturers, exporters, importers, traders, government, multilateral agencies, and other clients and industry partners selected BMO as the No. 1 Canadian bank to help businesses conduct global trade in a fast-changing regulatory environment.

"Receiving this award for the second year in a row is an important affirmation from our clients engaged in world trade. They recognize that BMO has the financial strength, expertise and global reach to assist them in achieving their goals," said Sara Joyce, Executive Managing Director and Head of Trade Finance, BMO Capital Markets.

Trade remains a vital component of Canada's rising prosperity, according to BMO's economists. Exports and imports each account for nearly one-third of Canada's economic activity, especially given the high prices of, and sustained strong demand for, Canada's natural resources and agricultural commodities.

BMO's Trade Finance Group advises clients across North America at every stage of growth, whether they are a growing, independent, middle market enterprise or a large publicly traded firm involved in international trade across a number of sectors. From Supply Chain Finance to Trade Payables Processing, BMO specializes in anticipating and responding to the impacts of fluctuating interest rates and currency values on international trade, managing financial relationships with trading partners and navigating the regulatory landscape. BMO also offers powerful tools that make it easy to monitor trade activity and track results.

"This recognition is particularly timely. When Sibos, the world's premier financial services industry event comes to Toronto this September, we'll be able to speak with our international correspondents from around the world about our leadership position in trade finance, and how we can work with them to support their clients' trading with North American companies," said Ms. Joyce.

About BMO's Trade Finance Group

BMO has decades of experience helping North American importers and exporters execute their strategies worldwide. BMO maintains strong correspondent banking relationships with more than 1,300 banks globally, and currently supports clients who do business in more than 120 countries. BMO's Trade Finance Group provides a complete range of trade products and services: supply chain finance, letters of credit, guarantees, performance bonds, open account and working capital management solutions, including export receivables financing and products customized for the unique characteristics of mainland China. For more information, visit: www.bmocm.com/products/treasury/tradefinance.

About BMO Capital Markets

BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service North American financial services provider, with more than 2,000 employees operating in 26 offices 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:BMO)(TSX:BMO), one of the largest diversified financial services providers in North America with CDN $413 billion total assets and 38,000 employees as at April 30, 2011.

About Trade Finance

Trade Finance magazine is Euromoney Publications' flagship international trade, export, commodity and supply chain finance publication. Euromoney has been covering trends in trade finance for more than 25 years and is the longest standing global publication concentrating exclusively on the international trade finance market. The Trade Finance "Awards for Excellence" have been awarded ever since the magazine launched in 1998. For more information, visit: www.tradefinancemagazine.com.