News Releases

- 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

Join BMO investing experts on February 15th at 11 a.m. as they provide insights on how to manage investments within an RRSP and share their market and sector outlook

- BMO experts available to provide analysis on how the markets and economy in the U.S. and Canada may be impacted by President Obama's new agenda

- Only 28 per cent of Canadian couples say they shared their plans for retirement with each other before getting married/living common law

- Eighty-six per cent of married/common law couples have had a discussion about their retirement

- More than 20 per cent of couples feel that differing views on retirement could be grounds for break-up/divorce

- $1 million is the average amount couples feel they need to fund their retirement

- One finalist each in Bathurst, Blainville, Cape Breton, Chicoutimi (Saguenay), Drummondville, Halifax, Moncton, Rouyn-Noranda, Shawinigan, Sherbrooke and Charlottetown

- BMO Ultimate Fan Appreciation Nights were held in 40 Canadian Hockey League arenas across the country

- 11 Ultimate Fans were crowned in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) One lucky BMO Ultimate Fan Winner from the QMJHL will win a trip for two to the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Saskatoon

- One finalist each in Brandon, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Kelowna, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Prince George, Red Deer, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Vancouver and Victoria

- BMO Ultimate Fan Appreciation Nights were held in 40 Canadian Hockey League arenas across the country

- 15 Ultimate Fans were crowned in the Western Hockey League (WHL)

- One lucky BMO Ultimate Fan Winner from the WHL will win a trip for two to the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Saskatoon

- One finalist each in Barrie, Belleville, Brampton, Guelph, Kingston, London, Mississauga, Niagara, Oshawa, Ottawa, Owen Sound, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie and Windsor

- BMO Ultimate Fan Appreciation Nights were held in 40 Canadian Hockey League arenas across the country

- 14 Ultimate Fans were crowned in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)

- One lucky BMO Ultimate Fan Winner from the OHL will win a trip for two to the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Saskatoon

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

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in 11 different languages

- Eighty per cent of Canadians 18-34 years old are not entirely confident in their ability to save for retirement

- Many young Canadians think their parents' retirement looks better than what their own retirement will be

- More than three-quarters worry about outliving their retirement savings

- BMO: It's critical to start saving for retirement at an early age

- Eighty per cent of Canadians 18-34 years old are not entirely confident in their ability to save for retirement

- Many young Canadians think their parents' retirement looks better than what their own retirement will be

- More than three-quarters worry about outliving their retirement savings

- BMO: It's critical to start saving for retirement at an early age

- Douglas Porter, BMO Chief Economist, forecasts that savings rates may need to reach 9 per cent to strengthen household finances over the long term

- Report shows the brighter side of the debt picture, with household financial assets reaching near-record 453 per cent of disposable income

- Report comes on the heels of the BMO Household Savings Report, which showed Canadians planning to save aim to put away $9,859 in 2013

- Canadian ETF assets increased by 33 per cent in 2012

- 2013 will see an expansion of the user base of ETFs

- Canadian ETF industry to benefit from developing new uses for ETFs

- Investors will seek out defensive growth strategies and lean towards equities

- Canada and U.S. auto industry on track for solid growth

- Manufacturer innovation fueling consumer demand

- Market conditions, industry investment and affordability to drive performance in 2013

- Report shows Canadian savers on average managed to save approximately $9,200 in 2012

- The average total savings amongst Canadians is $122,310

- Report provides regional and demographic breakdowns on savings

- BMO Smart Saver account offers a 1.2 per cent interest rate - the highest rate offered among Canada's major financial institutions for a full-service savings account without minimum balance requirements

Super Bowl Indicator has predicted stock market trends almost 80 per cent of the time

- BMO experts available to provide investing strategies for RRSP season...and beyond

Sixteen BMO mutual funds and ETFs awarded Fundata FundGrade A+ Rating

Program available for families and teachers to help youth better understand money matters in their lives

- April 17 is the first annual "Talk With Our Kids About Money Day"

- The new program provides resources for teachers and families to help start and continue conversations on money matters on the "Day" - and beyond

- Interactive contests for families, kids, teachers, and students focusing on teaching kids about money

- BMO to support the program through branches in Quebec and across Canada

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

- CFEE launch to be attended by CFEE Board Chair Olier Caron, Quebec BMO President L. Jacques Menard, the Chair and CEO of the Grande Bibliotheque et Archives nationales du Quebec Guy Berthiaume as well as teachers, students and parents

- Forty per cent of Canadians likely to start their own business in retirement

- Top reasons to start a business in retirement include additional income, staying mentally sharp and using it as a hobby

- Retirement savings identified as top funding source for starting new businesses

BMO opens new private banking offices, eyes growth opportunities in Asia

- BMO's private banking business in Asia will be part of BMO's Private Client Group, providing private banking services to high-net-worth individuals in the Asia-Pacific region

- Will introduce broader scope of services to give clients a more integrated and more flexible range of financial products and service offerings

- Supports plans to create a truly global service for wealthy individuals looking to manage their investments across Asia and North America

- Will leverage BMO's strength and differentiate it through its capability for connecting Asia Pacific and North America

- BMO accounted for 40 per cent of total 2012 Canadian ETF industry inflows

- BMO ETF assets up 130 per cent in 2012; attracted $5 billion in net new assets

- BMO S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (ZCN) top ETF industry fund with $813 million in asset inflow

- BMO's extensive ETF line-up has grown to 48 funds in under four years

- 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

- 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