News Releases

Survey reveals shopping trends and Canadians' plans to avoid a Holiday Hangover in 2015

-- Only 12 per cent expect to incur debt this holiday season

-- Two-thirds say they prefer to shop using their credit card to earn rewards points

- Over 80 percent of respondents expect the U.S. economy either to improve or stay the same in 2016

- More than 70 percent of respondents expect to see business growth in 2016; only two percent believe their business will shrink

- One third of parents with children aged 18-34 would save less for retirement than planned to support their children

- Forty-one per cent are concerned their adult children have or will have financial problems caused by debt

- Half said their own parents provided them with little or no financial support when they were young adults themselves

- Acquisition is aligned with BMO's strategy, builds on BMO's core strength in commercial banking and is accretive to earnings

Financial Results Highlights:

Fourth Quarter 2015 Compared with Fourth Quarter 2014:

- Net income of $1,214 million, up 13%; adjusted net income(1) of $1,264 million, up 14%

- EPS(2) of $1.83, up 17%; adjusted EPS(1,2) of $1.90, up 17%

- ROE of 12.9%, compared with 13.1%; adjusted ROE(1) of 13.5%, compared with 13.7%

- Provisions for credit losses of $128 million, compared with $170 million

- Basel III Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio of 10.7%

- Dividend increased by $0.02 from the preceding quarter to $0.84

Fiscal 2015 Compared with Fiscal 2014:

- Net income of $4,405 million, up 2%; adjusted net income(1) of $4,681 million, up 5%

- EPS(2) of $6.57, up 2%; adjusted EPS(1,2) of $7.00, up 6%

- ROE of 12.5%, compared with 14.0%; adjusted ROE1 of 13.3%, compared with 14.4%

- Book value per share of $56.31, up 17%

- Provisions for credit losses of $612 million, compared with $561 million

- Dividend increased by $0.04 or 5%

- Food to be donated to United Way Toronto and York Region member agencies

- During the event, BMO Capital Markets will be collecting cash donations and food for United Way

- Job creation, wage growth could support consumer spending

- Higher birth rates may give U.S. infant/pre-school toy sales a bump

- Retail toy sales predicted to rise 5 per cent this year

- Board games, interactive figures, outdoor toys, and construction sets predicted to be the big movers

BMO Recognized for Excellence in Helping Clients With Foreign Exchange Needs

- Travel Remains Top Spend: Spending expected to be flat year over year; travel accounts for the largest spend, followed by gifts and entertainment

- Change of Shopping Scenery: Malls continue to be the most popular place to shop, but nearly half of Canadians plan to shop online this season

- A Rewarding Spend: More Canadians plan to use rewards for gift buying and travel

- We're Here to Help: BMO offers tips for Canadians to help maximize their holiday spend, including choosing a credit card that rewards you