News Releases

ABU DHABI, TORONTO, and CHICAGO, ILLINOIS--(Marketwire - May 7, 2012) - BMO Financial Group today announced that it has established a representative office in the Middle East. The office will provide regional relationship coverage for institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region and make a broader array of asset management and investment banking services available to its clients in the region.

"The opening of our Abu Dhabi representative office exemplifies the growing ties between North America and the Middle East," said Bill Downe, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. "After nearly half a century of close client relationships in the region, BMO is proud and honoured to become the first Canadian-based bank with a presence in Abu Dhabi. We look forward to strengthening our long-standing ties with the region and to developing many more strong and fruitful relationships in the years ahead."

"The investment management market in the Middle East amounts to more than $2 trillion and is growing rapidly," said William Smith, Head of Europe and Middle East, BMO Financial Group. "We are further strengthening our commitment to the Gulf Cooperation Council states by bringing together the full breadth of BMO's capabilities and expertise to our clients in the region."

BMO has appointed Joseph Georgie as General Manager for the Regional Representative Office. Mr. Georgie has been responsible for the Bank's relationships with financial institutions in the Middle East and North Africa for more than 15 years. Firas Mallah, Managing Director, Middle East and North Africa, BMO Global Asset Management, will also be based at the office, representing an expert team of multi-disciplined asset managers based in Toronto and Chicago, and a global network of investment specialist boutiques in Miami, London, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Singapore.

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 $538 billion as at January 31, 2012, and more than 47,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.