News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Nov. 22, 2011) - BMO Financial Group today announced the launch of a new series of shares of six of its existing LifeStage Class Funds (the Funds)*, a suite of mutual fund portfolios managed by BMO Investments Inc.

Each Fund annually shifts its asset mix from an emphasis on equity funds to an emphasis on fixed income and cash equivalent funds as it approaches its target end date. The Funds are intended to provide growth in the early stages and to become progressively more conservative over time as they near their respective target end date.

How the Funds work:

• Investors may choose from six portfolios with different target end dates that match their individual financial goals. The target end dates range from 2017 to 2040.
• Each Fund's asset allocation strategy automatically adjusts the Fund's asset mix with a view to reducing risk as its target end date approaches by shifting assets from equity funds to more conservative fixed income and cash equivalent funds at a pre-determined rate.
• Each Fund's assets are diversified by asset class, geographic region, sector and market capitalization.
• Each Fund may invest in BMO Exchange Traded Funds (BMO ETFs) and/or other mutual funds.
• The Funds each have lower fees compared to many other managed portfolios of mutual funds.
• Each Fund is a class of shares of a mutual fund corporation, BMO Global Tax Advantage Funds Inc., and offers investors the flexibility to switch their investment into another class or series of shares of BMO Global Tax Advantage Funds Inc. without triggering a disposition for income tax purposes.

"Whether you are saving for your child's education or saving for retirement, this new series of the Funds allows you to choose from a selection of target end dates and then set your investment to help you reach your financial goal," said Serge Pépin, Head of Investments, BMO Investments Inc. "If you are unsure of how to invest with the wide range of investment choices available, these Funds allow you to watch your investments evolve into a more conservative product as the target end date approaches."

*This new series of each Fund is available in all BMO Bank of Montreal branches.

BMO Mutual Funds, including the LifeStage Class Funds, are offered by BMO Investments Inc., a financial services firm and separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal. Commissions, trading commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing and for details on how the LifeStage Class Funds are structured to allow switches without triggering a disposition for income tax purposes. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly-diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $477 billion as at July 31, 2011, and more than 47,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.