News Releases

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwired - March 6, 2014) - BMO Global Asset Management, along with one of its boutique managers, Lloyd George Management (LGM), today announced that Thomas Vester, CFA has been named Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of LGM.

In his role as CIO, Mr. Vester will be responsible for enhancing and coordinating the investment process and criteria for stock selection for BMO Global Asset Management across LGM's strategies in Asia, Global Emerging Markets, China and India, as well as Frontier Markets. He will continue the firm's focus on investing in companies that are characterised by an ability to generate high return on capital, a strong management team, clean balance sheet, and, if present, a controlling shareholder that respects its minorities.

"The success of our Frontier Strategy has raised the profile of BMO Global Asset Management and of LGM as a leading manager of global emerging market assets," said Tony Cousins, CEO, LGM. "The strength of this strategy is attributable to a clear and well executed investment process implemented by Thomas and his dedicated team. We believe our other strategies will also benefit from Thomas's skills and understanding of the markets."

"Thomas's appointment reflects not only the success he has achieved since joining BMO Global Asset Management, but also reinforces that we are committed to being a leading global asset manager and a leading emerging markets equities manager," added Barry McInerney, Co-CEO, BMO Global Asset Management.

Mr. Vester joined the industry in 2005. Since joining LGM in 2011, Mr. Vester has generated strong performance as Director and Portfolio Manager on the Frontier Markets team, with the strategy now approaching US$1 billion in assets under management. Prior to his time at LGM, Mr. Vester was responsible for frontier market assets at a European-based asset manager. He will remain the primary Portfolio Manager for the LGM Frontier Markets Strategy.

About Lloyd George Management

Established in 1991, Lloyd George Management is a specialist Asian, Global Emerging and Frontier Markets equity manager with US$2.6 billion in assets under management (as of January 31, 2014). Its team of investment professionals is based in offices in Hong Kong, London and Mumbai. Lloyd George Management's approach is active and primarily stock driven, with a focus on high quality sustainable growth companies with strong capital management. It seeks investment opportunities across the market cap spectrum. In April 2011, Lloyd George Management became a wholly owned subsidiary within BMO Financial Group.

About BMO Global Asset Management

BMO Global Asset Management is a global investment manager with more than $128 billion in assets under management, including discretionary and non-discretionary assets under management, and more than $163 billion in assets under administration as of January 31, 2014.

Our two multi-disciplined teams are based in Toronto and Chicago/Milwaukee, and our network of world-class boutique managers is strategically located across the globe. They include Monegy, Inc., Pyrford International Ltd., Lloyd George Management and Taplin, Canida & Habacht, LLC. BMO Global Asset Management delivers service excellence from offices throughout North America, and in London, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Sydney. Our approach has led us to be recognised by Pension & Investments as one of the world's largest 100 asset managers based on combined assets under management as of December 31, 2012.

We are a part of BMO Financial Group (NYSE:BMO), a fully diversified financial services organisation with C$593 billion total assets and more than 45,000 employees as of January 31, 2014.

Disclosures

BMO Global Asset Management is the brand name for various affiliated entities of BMO Financial Group that provide investment management, retirement, and trust and custody services. Certain of the products and services offered under the brand name BMO Global Asset Management are designed specifically for various categories of investors in a number of different countries and regions. Products and services are only offered to such investors in those countries and regions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. BMO Financial Group (NYSE:BMO), is a service mark of Bank of Montreal (BMO).

All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal.

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