News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 10, 2012) - Four BMO/Guardian Mutual Funds were recognized at the Lipper Fund Awards last night in Toronto. The funds which took home top honours include:

• BMO European Fund (best fund over one and three years in the European Equity category)
• BMO Guardian Global Diversified Fund (best fund over three years in the Global Equity Balanced category)
• BMO Guardian Asian Growth and Income Fund (best fund over five years in the Asian Pacific Equity category)
• BMO LifeStage Plus 2020 Fund (best fund over one year in the 2020 Target Date Portfolio category)

The Lipper Fund Awards recognize funds that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. The Lipper Awards take place in 23 countries within Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the Americas.

"Our goal as an investment team has always been to provide investors with funds that address their needs and deliver results," said Hugh McKee, President, BMO Investments Inc. "Being recognized in four categories by the Lipper Awards speaks to the expertise and commitment of our team as well as the quality and relevance of our funds."

"In today's volatile markets, investors are looking for investment products they can count on," added Serge Pépin, Head of Investments, BMO Investments Inc. "Our award-winning funds aim to maximize return potential and manage risk, meeting the long-term investment objectives of Canadian investors."

BMO Guardian Funds and BMO Mutual Funds are offered by BMO Investments Inc., a financial services firm and separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.

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 October 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.

For more information please visit: www.bmoguardianfunds.com.

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