News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 25, 2013) - Women in Capital Markets (WCM), a non-profit organization that promotes the advancement of women in the Canadian capital markets, today announced that Mary Ann Mendes is the 2013 recipient of the WCM Return to Bay Street Award.

The award, sponsored by the BMO Capital Markets "Equity Through Education" program, is given annually to assist and encourage talented women, with a previous career in capital markets and who have taken an extended absence, in re-launching their careers. Ms. Mendes receives $5,000 towards an education program, a paid four-month internship with BMO Capital Markets, a WCM mentor and a one-year membership to WCM.

Recipients are chosen based on their background and former successful career experience, demonstration of interest and commitment to re-launch and pursue a career in the industry and their potential to emulate the vision and objectives of WCM through being a role model for women in the industry.

"WCM is pleased to have assisted in re-opening the door for very deserving women, recognizing not just past career contributions, but also their future potential in this dynamic industry," said Martha Fell, CEO of WCM. "With this award, we want to show women transitioning back to the industry that there are both programs to support them and organizations looking to hire them. This is another way WCM is inspiring women to consider, or in this case re-consider, the capital markets."

"BMO is committed to fostering a culture where all employees feel they can truly succeed," said Tom Milroy, CEO of BMO Capital Markets. "We are pleased to have founded this important initiative that helps women re-launch their careers."

In light of an increase in the number of applicants, combined with the aspiration to continue increasing diversity in the industry, WCM is working with a broader group of Canadian financial institutions to expand the Return to Bay Street program and offer another round of awards during the second half of 2013.

About BMO Capital Markets

BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service North American financial services provider, with 2,200 employees operating in 29 offices worldwide, including 16 in North America and 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 $542 billion and more than 46,000 employees as at January 31, 2013.

About the BMO Capital Markets "Equity Through Education" program

The BMO Capital Markets "Equity Through Education" program is a charitable initiative aimed at creating a more diverse workplace by offering support to help bright, deserving people realize their educational ambitions by giving them opportunities they might not otherwise have. To date, Equity Through Education has raised CAD$12.3 million (US$11.7 million). This translates into assistance to over 2,500 students through scholarships, bursaries, mentoring programs and job search strategy forums. For more information, please visit www.bmocm.com/aboutus/community/equitythrougheducation/.

About WCM

WCM is a non-profit organization that promotes the entry, advancement and development of women, fosters accountability for diversity and recognizes leaders who have contributed significantly to the advancement of women in the Canadian capital markets industry. Through innovative programming, WCM offers its members diverse and creative opportunities for networking, career growth and personal development, and mentoring and coaching of both students and professionals. For more information, please visit www.wcm.ca.