News Releases

- Program to be launched in schools in metropolitan areas of Toronto and Montreal - expanding across Canada over the next three years

- CFEE launch attended by Minister of State Ted Menzies and Toronto area school officials

- Ontario's icewine grape harvest expected to increase by 50 per cent

- BMO Economics forecasts higher sales and exports

- Overall consumption of wine is up - Canadian adults purchase an average of 22 bottles annually vs. 13 bottles in 1995

- Award-winning mutual fund business grew by 19.4 percent in 2012

- Global reach, regional expertise and boutique-style approach favored by individual and institutional clients

- Six new innovative funds launched to help U.S. investors help diversify their portfolios and achieve financial goals

- Yonge and Wellington branch was the first BMO branch to open in Aurora

- As the RRSP contribution deadline approaches, Canadians of all ages should review their portfolios to ensure they align with their retirement goals

- BMO SelectClass(R) funds offer four portfolios with varying risk levels to help suit the needs of investors at various life stages

Writing a story on retirement or investing? Need some background, a quote, a different perspective?

Call the BMO RRSP Media Hotline at 1-866-298-8385 or e-mail Rachael McKay at rachael.mckay@bmo.com

- Program to be launched in schools in metropolitan areas of Toronto and Montreal - expanding across Canada over the next three years

- CFEE launch to be attended by Minister of State Ted Menzies and Toronto area school officials

- BMO branch represents a $1.4 million investment in the community

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in seven different languages

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays and Sundays

- Grand opening celebration features great prizes and a gourmet brunch

- Largest BMO donation in B.C. outside Lower Mainland

- BMO Financial Group receives naming of BMO Student Street at TRU

- U.S. housing starts outpace expectations by wide margin in December

- December U.S. housing starts up 12.1 per cent, Midwest up 24.7 per cent

- Energy sector remains critical driver of growth

- Jobless rate is lowest in Canada

- Real GDP growth of 2.7 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Employment up 1.7 per cent in 2012

- Solid growth for resources, financial services

- Real GDP growth of 2.2 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Shipbuilding activity to support medium-term growth

- Output from Deep Panuke and Sable to support growth late in the year

- Real GDP growth of 1.8 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Export sector showing improvement

- Real GDP growth of 1.5 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Double-digit growth in oil production expected in fiscal 2012/2013

- Farmers benefiting from high prices

- Real GDP growth of 2.6 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Auto manufacturers investing in Ontario, including Toyota with Woodstock assembly plant

- Housing market continuing to soften

- Real GDP growth of 1.7 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Jobless rate at 7.3 per cent in December, down from high of 8.7 per cent a year earlier

- 1.3 per cent growth expected in 2013 (Canada's economy expected to grow by 1.7 per cent)

- Jobless rate near a record low

- Real GDP growth of 4.5 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Exports should benefit from U.S. growth

- Project completions should mean higher output

- Real GDP growth of 1.6 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Above-average growth

- Continued momentum in energy and mining

- Third-lowest jobless rate in Canada

- Real GDP growth of 2.2 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Projected national growth of 1.7 per cent in 2013

- Newfoundland & Labrador to lead the country with 4.5 per cent growth this year

- Resource sector continues to fuel growth in Western Canada

- U.S. recovery to create momentum in Central Canada

- More than 40 per cent of Canadians would choose to invest extra money in a TFSA; 37 per cent in an RRSP

- Tax-free nature and anytime withdrawal from a TFSA seen as biggest benefits

- TFSAs and RRSPs can work together to help investors achieve their financial goals

- BMO offers limited time TFSA and RRSP promotions to encourage Canadians to save and invest for their future

- More than 40 per cent of Canadians would choose to invest extra money in a TFSA; 37 per cent in an RRSP

- Tax-free nature and anytime withdrawal from a TFSA seen as biggest benefits

- TFSAs and RRSPs can work together to help investors achieve their financial goals

- BMO offers limited time TFSA and RRSP promotions to encourage Canadians to save and invest for their future

BMO Investment Centre, of BMO Financial Group, recognized for its leadership in customer service and expertise

- BMO offers a special 2.25 per cent interest rate on net new deposits to a TFSA Savings Account until April 30th

- According to the BMO Annual TFSA Report, the majority of Canadian TFSA holders plan to contribute the maximum allowable amount within the next five years

- The most common TFSA investment is cash savings, with the majority of Canadians holding cash savings within their TFSA

- More resilient European framework restores stability and confidence

- U.S. Fiscal Cliff averted; confrontation postponed

- China's money and credit growth stabilizes

- Good news expected from Canadian and U.S. equity markets

- Poll of Canadian workers reveals their expectations for companies investing in training and development, technology and new equipment, and hiring

- Optimism up in all provinces: Alberta and British Columbia lead the way with the most optimism; Atlantic Canada and Ontario show biggest increase

In 2014, personal spending growth should top 3 per cent, marking the best performance in nine years.

- BMO's Chief Investment Strategist one of few with 1,425 S&P 500 target that was not revised

- Releases new market outlook report, providing targets and insight for 2013

Experts from BMO, RE/MAX, Canadian Homebuilders' Association Offer Insights on National, Regional Trends and Advice for Buyers and Sellers

- Top-rated tech analysts to provide outlook for 2013 in the marketing and advertising, digital entertainment, IT, communications equipment, semiconductor and software sectors

- Journalists will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A with analysts following presentations

Significant growth demonstrates ability of frontier markets to generate higher, long-term returns for institutional investors

- First RRSP study of the year finds 60 per cent of Canadians feel anxious as they try to find money to contribute to their RRSPs

- Almost half of Canadians who make an annual RRSP contribution do so in one lump sum

- Two-thirds of Canadians are open to setting up a continuous savings plan that would allow them to make regular contributions throughout the year

- BMO offers Canadians a 15 per cent bonus on their first month's contribution to a newly-opened mutual fund Continuous Savings Plan

- BMO unveils outlook for housing sales, prices and expectations among Canadian home and condo owners

- Results from poll showing how many Canadians intend to buy a property in the next five years

- Experts from BMO, RE/MAX and the Canadian Home Builders' Association provide insights into real estate trends and examine which cities will be the next hot spots

- Universe of Exchange Traded Funds has continued to grow

- Education key to selecting appropriate ETFs that match investment objectives

- BMO AM currently offers 48 ETFs, including many industry firsts

- BMO AM provides tips to help Canadians choose wisely

- BMO unveils outlook for housing sales, prices and expectations among Canadian home and condo owners

- Results from poll showing how many Canadians intend to buy a property in the next five years

- Experts from BMO, RE/MAX and the Canadian Home Builders' Association provide insights into real estate trends and examine which cities will be the next hot spots

- Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC to lead the way; Ontario to improve

- Still no rate changes expected from Bank of Canada in 2013

- BMO Hiring Outlook Report: hiring a top priority for business owners planning to invest more in 2013

- High-income earners will be most affected by tax hikes

- $3.6 trillion USD of additional deficits expected over the next 10 years

- Spending cut decisions to be made in late February

- Keynote speaker Rick George, Partner at Novo Investment Group & Former CEO of Suncor

- Media are invited to hear from leading industry producers and service providers about trends in unconventional oil and gas resource development in North America

Writing a story on retirement or investing? Need some background, a quote, a different perspective?

Call the BMO RRSP Media Hotline at 1-866-298-8385 or e-mail Rachael McKay at rachael.mckay@bmo.com

- Offers tips on year-end tax-saving strategies

- One in ten Canadians are expected to carry debt following holiday season purchases according to the 2012 BMO Holiday Spending Outlook

- One quarter of Canadians have family and assets abroad

- More than one-third of international asset holders are not familiar with the taxes and laws pertaining to their wills

- Assets abroad can include second properties, bank accounts and investments

- Corporate executorship is key to managing an estate with global components

- BMO Holiday Spending Survey shows consumers are better prepared for holiday shopping now than in 2011, with most planning weeks or months in advance

- However, three per cent of Canadians still consider themselves last-minute shoppers

- Men more likely to wait until December to start (38 per cent versus 21 per cent of women)

Writing a story on retirement or investing? Need some background, a quote, a different perspective?

Call the BMO RRSP Media Hotline at 1-866-298-8385 or e-mail Rachael McKay at rachael.mckay@bmo.com

- 87 per cent of Canadians believe it's important to support Canadian food producers on a regular basis

- Agricultural sector accounts for approximately eight per cent of Canada's total GDP

- Almost two-thirds would opt for a donation made on their behalf rather than receiving a holiday gift

- More than three-quarters like the idea of making a charitable donation on someone else's behalf instead of giving a present

- Almost half of Canadians volunteered in 2012

- Alberta, Atlantic Canada and Ontario will see the most spending activity on Boxing Day

- According to BMO Economics, total retail sales, excluding auto and gasoline sales, are expected to be almost $60 billion in November to December period

- BMO, the official bank of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), is launching a twitter contest for CHL fans

- Fans have the chance to tweet using @BMOCHL #UltimateFan for a chance to win a trip for two to the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Halifax

- Interest rate of 1.2 per cent to be paid on all balances - the highest rate offered among Canada's major financial institutions for a full-service savings account

- New enhancements designed to help Canadians reach their savings goals faster

Poll reveals top three New Year's Resolutions for Employees and their Bosses

- Six out of 10 Canadians are planning a vacation during the upcoming holidays

- Canadians plan to spend an average of $560 on travel during the holiday season

- Use of reward points for travel continues to increase

- One quarter of Canadians have family and assets abroad

- More than one-third of international asset holders are not familiar with the taxes and laws pertaining to their wills

- Assets abroad can include second properties, bank accounts and investments

- Corporate executorship is key to managing an estate with global components

- Program helps farmers mitigate risk and manage cash flow

- BMO AgriInvest Account allows farmers to increase their savings through market-leading rate

- Offers tips on year-end tax-saving strategies

- 2012 award is 9th in a row for Sinclair, 2nd for Hutchinson

- BMO branch represents a $1.5 million investment in the community

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in six different languages

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays and Sundays

- Grand opening celebration features great prizes and giveaways

- Six out of 10 Canadians are planning a vacation during the upcoming holidays

- Canadians plan to spend an average of $560 on travel during the holiday season

- Use of reward points for travel continues to increase

- One quarter of Canadians have family and assets abroad

- More than one-third of international asset holders are not familiar with the taxes and laws pertaining to their wills

- Assets abroad can include second properties, bank accounts and investments

- Corporate executorship is key to managing an estate with global components

New Findings from BMO Financial Group and Chrome River Survey Reveal Heavy Reliance On Manual Processes

- Companies are not investing in new processes and systems to improve how billable expenses are managed.

- Most frequent travelers in professional services businesses rely on manual processes to manage, monitor and capture client billable expenses.

- Drawn out reimbursement cycles result in lost revenue.

- A corporate card program paired with a sophisticated expense management system can eliminate the need to manually reconcile expenses.

On December 12th BMO's Jack Ablin, Scott Graham and Paul Taylor will discuss potential resolutions along with market and economic implications

- Canada's first bank steps in for two-year commitment to refresh gallery and educational programs

- BMO, the official bank of the Calgary Stampede, has long ties to the city and province; open for business in 1886

On December 12th BMO's Jack Ablin, Scott Graham and Paul Taylor will discuss potential resolutions along with market and economic implications

- $1.5 million donation largest in UFV's history

- BMO's largest one-time donation in B.C.

- UFV Plaza will become Chilliwack's newest business education centre

Former branch donated to University of the Fraser Valley - BMO's largest one-time donation in B.C.

- New BMO branch represents a $1.7 million investment in the community

- Customers offered extended banking hours, including Saturdays

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in four different languages

- Grand opening celebration features giveaways and a raffle

- Total annual alcohol sales on pace to top $19 billion

- Wine continues to uncork stronger sales; consumers willing to pay a premium

- Canadian wineries expected to benefit from holiday spike

- Two-thirds of Canadians say they have an RRSP, up six per cent from 2011

- Three-quarters of those surveyed plan to contribute the same amount or more compared to last year

- Average amount contributed in 2011 was $4,670

- Majority either seldom or never max out their contribution in a given year

- Total unused RRSP contribution amount to exceed $1 trillion by 2018

BMO donates $500,000 to help establish Catalyst's Inclusive Leadership Initiative

- The BMO / Catalyst Inclusive Leadership Practice Centre (ILPC) will draw together corporate leaders who are interested in creating development opportunities that will help emerging leaders build more inclusive workplaces around the globe.

- Centre will employ networking, educational and research opportunities to provide organizations with the necessary knowledge and resources to advance, grow, and sustain dedicated employee resource groups.

- BMO's Institute for Learning (IFL) will be the flagship location for in-person training and certification of these learners.