News Releases

- Canadian iconic cultural theatrical treasure celebrates its 50th season

- Support for theatre in Canada by BMO Financial Group stretches from coast to coast

- 17 per cent year-over-year drop matches average decline from August-February period

- Prices remain firm

- The Big and Small of It: 60 per cent of small businesses and 74 per cent of enterprises say new hires are in need of basic or significant training and guidance

- Report follows introduction of the Canada Job Grant as part of the 2013 Federal Budget, which could provide $15,000 or more per trainee

- BMO Chief Economist notes that current labour shortage in Canada is below 15 year average

- Canadians paid more than $119 billion in federal income taxes in 2012

- Do-It-Yourself approach gaining in popularity: almost half prepare their own income tax returns

- Knowledge Gap: many Canadians lack insight on tax implications of RRSPs, charitable donations, capital gains and dividend income

- Canadians paid more than $119 billion in federal income taxes in 2012

- Do-It-Yourself approach gaining in popularity: almost half prepare their own income tax returns

- Knowledge Gap: many Canadians lack insight on tax implications of RRSPs, charitable donations, capital gains and dividend income

- Sales down slightly, 0.7 per cent year-over-year

- Q1 2013 was an excellent quarter, just behind last year's near record-setting pace

BMO welcomes Canadian National Women's Team members Diana Matheson, Erin McLeod and Rhian Wilkinson as BMO Team of the Week Ambassadors

- BMO Team of the Week recognizes youth soccer teams with one of the largest grand prizes of its kind in Canada: $125,000 towards a field refurbishment

- Canadians can nominate their favourite youth soccer team

- Grand prize also includes a trip to see a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact or Canadian National Team home match and a $5,000 donation to the team's charity of choice

- A chance to earn 200 AIR MILES reward miles just for nominating a team

- 2013 outlook: 62 per cent positive about 2013

- Looking ahead: 52 per cent expect 2013 to be a better year for business

- Business growth: 45 per cent anticipate business will grow and 28 per cent plan to invest more into their business

The acquisition will provide BMO with additional opportunities to build its commercial business

- Historic event commemorated with customer and community appreciation day on April 3

- New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright will participate in the celebration

Bank recognizes valuable role both departments played in battling Springdale branch fire

- Ninety-three per cent of Canadians feel credit will encourage more charitable giving or will maintain current levels of support

- Half of young Canadians say that the new measure will encourage them to give more

- Statistics Canada: Canadians gave $8.5 billion to charitable causes last year, but percentage of those who give down 6 per cent from 1990

- BMO: The new credit is an example of how smart public policy can be used to encourage a new generation to do the right thing

- Agriculture in Canada accounts for 8.1 per cent of total GDP and $63.5 billion in global trade

- Canadians try to purchase home-grown poultry, vegetables, beef, fruit and cheese always or frequently

- BMO encourages Canadians to buy locally produced food and beverages this holiday weekend

Idea originating in St. Thomas, Ontario goes province wide

- Newly-launched BMO Wealth Institute helps Canadians better prepare for a confident financial future

- A four-year university degree can cost up to $140,000, yet three-quarters of Canadian parents with children under 18 have not made a detailed estimate

- Only half take advantage of the RESP

- Report outlines several options beyond RESPs to help save for college or university

- Innovative new ETFs designed to help investors construct their portfolio more effectively

- Expansion of U.S. dollar unit offerings allow investors more choice in how they access different asset classes

- BMO AM's suite has grown to 55 ETFs in under four years

- Canadian ETF industry grew by 33 per cent in 2012

- Newly-launched BMO Wealth Institute helps Canadians better prepare for a confident financial future

- A four-year university degree can cost up to $140,000, yet three-quarters of Canadian parents with children under 18 have not made a detailed estimate

- Only half take advantage of the RESP

- Report outlines several options beyond RESPs to help save for college or university

New branch represents a $1.3 million investment in the community

- BMO offering support to local businesses by making $10 billion available

- Forecasts 15,000 new jobs over the next five years

- Most local businesses have a renewed sense of optimism

- The Big and Small of It: 60 per cent of small businesses and 74 per cent of enterprises say new hires are in need of basic or significant training and guidance

- Sector Expertise: New hires in retail and construction sectors most likely to require training

- Report comes on the heels of the introduction of the Canada Job Grant as part of the 2013 Federal Budget, which could provide $15,000 or more per trainee

Jennifer Muench brings more than 15 years of experience to new role in BMO's private bank

BMO announces introduction of new Mobile Appointment Booking tool

- BMO is the only major Canadian financial institution to offer a real-time online appointment booking capability

- Since May 2012 launch, more than 29,000 appointments booked online through BMO Bank by Appointment

Turn the lights down low - Earth Hour takes place today between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. local time

- BMO provides tips for homeowners on how to reduce their environmental footprint and overall utility bills

- 63 per cent of Canadians unfamiliar with how dividend income is taxed; 58 per cent unfamiliar on how capital gains are taxed

- Strategies involving charitable donations, RRSPs, and TFSAs are among the many ways Canadians can reduce their overall tax bill

- 63 per cent of Canadians unfamiliar with how dividend income is taxed; 58 per cent unfamiliar on how capital gains are taxed

- Strategies involving charitable donations, RRSPs, and TFSAs are among the many ways Canadians can reduce their overall tax bill

Budget extends support to Manufacturing, Skills Training

- BMO Economists and Financial Experts available for commentary and analysis

- How will budget impact retirement, housing, small businesses and personal investing and taxes?

- Three-quarters of Canadians appreciate guidance when managing their investments

- However, more than half want to have the final say on whether they commit to an investment or not

- BMO InvestorLine offers a wide range of services to help investors of all types achieve their financial goals

Canadians believe employers could save taxpayers money by hiring persons with disabilities

- Slightly more than half of workers with disabilities who are able to work have jobs

- More than half of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses have never hired a person with a disability

- 50 per cent of Canadians believe employers don't have the skills required to understand and accommodate the needs of their employees with disabilities

- Meaningful change will come when private sector bias and misperceptions are addressed

Turn the lights down low - Earth Hour takes place on March 23rd between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. local time

- BMO provides tips for homeowners on how to reduce their environmental footprint and overall utility bills

- BMO Economists and Financial Experts available for commentary and analysis

- How will budget impact retirement, housing, small businesses and personal investing and taxes?

- U.S. employment and manufacturing business strengthened

- Eurozone turbulence affects international markets

- Canadian exports still struggling, but S&P/TSX equity index had a strong February

- BMO branch represents a $1.3 million capital investment in the community

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including weekends

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in five languages

- More than 40 per cent of Canadians admit they are not confident investors

- Only 16 per cent are very familiar with their specific investments

- BMO: Successful investing does not necessarily require 'Luck O' the Irish'

- BMO employees will bring out their walking shoes across Canada as part of BMO's enhanced commitment to Kids Help Phone

- Top destinations include within Canada, U.S., Central/South America, Caribbean Islands and Mexico

- Survey reveals travellers plan to spend an average of $2,431 on trips this spring, and $6,490 for travellers taking trips more than two weeks long

- British Columbians and Albertans most likely to travel this spring; Quebecers least likely to visit another province

- One-third leverage vacation properties to offset costs, while 43 per cent use rewards to fund spring travel

- March is Fraud Prevention Month

- Fraud is defined as a direct threat to the financial well-being of businesses

- Six-in-ten Canadians do not regularly purchase travel medical insurance before leaving home

- Older Canadians more likely to buy insurance

- Half of Canadians unclear about who covers health costs when away from home

- Average cost per hospital stay in the U.S. for adults ages 45-84 was over $12,000 in 2010

- BMO Insurance offers tips on how to select the right travel insurance policy

In our hearts, Stompin' Tom belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame

- Access to capital largest concern among potential women entrepreneurs, despite drop from last year

- Food and hospitality sector remain most popular among women looking to start their own business, followed by the arts and entertainment sector

- To support International Women's Day on March 8th, BMO will donate $2 dollars to the Canadian Women's Foundation for each tweet and retweet of the #BMOIWD hashtag, up to a maximum of $10,000

BMO's Unique Leadership Development Program improved revenue growth, productivity and employee engagement

- To mark International Women's Day, executives from across BMO's Wealth Management Group will share their views and new study findings

- BMO Study: 82 per cent of Canadian women are either the primary decision-maker or have equal responsibility for household financial decisions

Bank supports 'life-long learning' through Laurentian University

- To mark International Women's Day, executives from across BMO's Wealth Management Group will share their views and new study findings

- BMO Study: 82 per cent of Canadian women are either the primary decision-maker or have equal responsibility for household financial decisions

BMO brings back 2.99 per cent rate on popular 5-year fixed mortgage with maximum 25-year amortization

- Best Spot Market Maker

- Most Popular Market Maker

- Best G7 Market Maker

BMO brings back 2.99 per cent rate on popular 5-year fixed mortgage with maximum 25-year amortization

- Canadians currently have an average of $10.22 worth of pennies; nearly half plan to cash them in at a bank

- $810,000 in pennies have been counted through BMO Coin Counters since the March 2012 announcement of the phasing out of the penny

- BMO encourages Canadians to invest their "piggy banks" into a high-interest savings account

- Sixty-three per cent have made or plan to make a contribution to their RRSP before today's deadline, up from last year

- Average contribution amount was $3,544, down $1,100 from last year

- Psychology of Saving for Retirement: sense of responsibility was top motivator for making an RRSP contribution this year

- Many of those expecting a tax refund plan to save or invest the money or put it towards bills

BMO releases report on outlook for economy and housing market in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo

- Kitchener-Waterloo remains more affordable than Toronto

- Long-term construction of the LRT line to boost regional activity

- Condo building has taken a prominent role over detached homes in recent years

- BMO releases report on outlook for economy and labour market in Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge

- Local economy outperforming the Ontario average and its peers in southwestern Ontario

- Canadians currently have an average of $10.22 worth of pennies; nearly half plan to cash them in at a bank

- $810,000 in pennies have been counted through BMO Coin Counters since the March 2012 announcement of the phasing out of the penny

- BMO encourages Canadians to invest their "piggy banks" into a high-interest savings account

- Discussion on what is on the minds and hearts of women-led businesses in British Columbia

- Top tips and advice from entrepreneurial experts on how to start your own business

- Key sectors of the economy for business start-ups in 2013

- Report shows Canadian savers on average expect to save approximately $9,200 in 2013

- Residents of Quebec have the lowest average planned savings at $5,477

- No Fee BMO IGA AIR MILES Chequing and High Interest Savings Accounts offer cost savings, convenience and value

- Deadline for contributing to an RRSP is midnight on March 1

- Three-quarters of Canadians have made or plan on making a contribution before the deadline

- BMO offers multiple options for Canadians looking to contribute

- BMO media spokespeople available to provide last-minute tips on RRSPs, saving for retirement and how to create a financial plan

- Advisory group provides guidance for women entrepreneurs looking to take the next step and grow their enterprise into a million dollar plus business

- International Women's Week starts March 3rd, celebrating the achievements of women, including women-owned businesses that employ over 1.5 million Canadians

- A third have too many activities and too little time in which to do them

- One in three say that retirement is more expensive than they expected

- Tip to younger Canadians: start saving as much as possible from an early age to realize ideal retirement lifestyle

- Grand prize won by three BMO Ultimate Fans - one each from the Western Hockey League (WHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), as part of BMO Ultimate Fan Appreciation Night Series

Financial Results Highlights:

First Quarter 2013 Compared with First Quarter 2012:

- Net income of $1,048 million, down 5%; adjusted net income(1) of $1,041 million, up 7%

- EPS(2) of $1.53, down 6%; adjusted EPS(1), (2) of $1.52, up 7%

- ROE of 14.9%, compared with 17.2%; adjusted ROE(1) of 14.8%, compared with 15.0%

- Provisions for credit losses of $178 million, compared with $141 million; adjusted provisions for credit losses(1) of $96 million, compared with $91 million

- Basel III Common Equity Ratio is strong at 9.4%

- Dividend Increased by $0.02 or 3% to $0.74 per Common Share

Announced as part of Global Finance's World's Best Investment Banks 2013 Awards

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

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in three different languages

Industry leaders from 25 countries and six continents to attend one of the largest metals and mining investor conferences in the world

- Seventy-two per cent of Canadian RRSP holders say their portfolio includes mutual funds

- Mutual funds comprise almost a third of total RRSP holdings

- Canadians cite professional management and ability to diversify as top reasons for choosing mutual funds

- Investors currently favour income-generating mutual funds

Concerns of a nationwide housing bubble in Canada should begin to deflate

- Latest data suggest rising income and falling mortgage rates have offset effects of higher house prices in most markets

- Currently, mortgage payments on the average-priced house in Canada consume a moderate 28 per cent of household income

- However, the typical family is largely priced out of the detached property market in Vancouver, Toronto and Victoria

- Canadians plan to save $9,859 this year, but three-in-ten have no plan in place to help them get there

- More than half are currently not putting aside enough money to meet their savings goals

- BMO encourages Canadians to create a fixed savings plan to ensure they achieve long-term financial success

- U.S. housing sales, retail sales and job numbers strengthening

- Germany, Italy and Spain showing signs of economic improvement

- Growth in China expected to exceed 7.5 per cent in 2013

- Canadian investors seeing better returns on equities

- Seventy-two per cent of Canadian RRSP holders say their portfolio includes mutual funds

- Mutual funds comprise almost a third of total RRSP holdings

- Canadians cite professional management and ability to diversify as top reasons for choosing mutual funds

- Investors currently favour income-generating mutual funds

- Seventy-two per cent of Canadian RRSP holders say their portfolio includes mutual funds

- Mutual funds comprise almost a third of total RRSP holdings

- Canadians cite professional management and ability to diversify as top reasons for choosing mutual funds

- Investors currently favour income-generating mutual funds

Annual competition sponsored by BMO Financial Group recognizes Canada's Best Diversity Employers

Industry leaders from 25 countries and six continents to attend one of the largest metals and mining investor conferences in the world

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

Industry leaders from 25 countries and six continents to attend one of the largest metals and mining investor conferences in the world

This acquisition will establish BMO as an industry leader in media lending and will expand the advisory expertise available to BMO's clients

- Canada's agriculture sector accounts for 8.1 per cent of total GDP

- 87 per cent of Canadians believe it is important to purchase food products made in Canada