News Releases

- One-in-three Canadians identify a comfortable retirement as their number one financial goal to achieve over their lifetime.

- However, 40 per cent are not confident in their ability to save for retirement and 41 per cent may use the sale of their home to make up for the shortfall

- Relying on your home to fund retirement could be a risky venture; personal savings must play a more significant role in retirement preparedness

- Only six per cent of students use their credit cards to pay for school expenses

- Of that six per cent, only three-in-10 expect to graduate with more than $1,000 in credit card debt

- Most students (56 per cent) taking advantage of discount programs and loyalty rewards programs to lower their day-to-day living expenses

BMO Economics forecasts wine sector will continue to outpace other alcohol sales

85 per cent of businesses have no contingency plan developed in case of a major environmental disaster

BMO will issue a financial tip each day throughout the month of November

BMO Forecasts Canadian Retail Sales will be up by 2 per cent this October

- Most popular Fall renovation projects include bathroom, kitchen and bedroom

- More than half plan to spend less than $1,000; one-third expect to spend up to $5,000

- Canadians relying mostly on savings to fund renovations; taking a DIY approach to save money

- Site will help Canadians feel more confident about their financial situation; offers a variety of online calculators, worksheets and checklists

- New study from BMO indicates that almost two-thirds of Canadians have a financial plan, up 10 per cent from 2010

- Of the 36 per cent who don't have a plan, most say they don't know where to start and/or feel they don't have enough money to start a plan

- Six in ten business owners plan to charge the same amount next year

- Prices expected to rise an average of 1.3 per cent in 2013

- Businesses in Alberta, and those operating in the services, manufacturing, and construction sectors are the most likely to raise prices

- Increasing volume and better use of technology seen as more effective strategies to increase business value than raising prices

- RDSPs can help provide financial security for individuals with disabilities

- The program combines the advantages of tax deferred investment growth with the opportunity to receive government subsidies

- However, despite the many advantages of RDSPs, only 13 per cent of Canadians with disabilities have an RDSP account

On October 24th, BMO's Paul Taylor and Jack Ablin will discuss the potential implications of the U.S. election as well as other key global market drivers

Inaugural report tracks confidence in Canada's housing market among Canadian homeowners

- Buying intentions: 46 per cent intend to buy a property in the next five years; however, the market would cool quickly if prices increase by five per cent

- Price expectations: Most homeowners in Canada expect modest price increases in all cities and provinces over the long term with the exception of those in Vancouver

- Mortgage affordability: Over half have made cutbacks over the past year to make mortgage payments

- Team's strong regular season record clinches playoff spot

On October 24th, BMO's Paul Taylor and Jack Ablin will discuss the potential implications of the U.S. election as well as other key global market drivers

- Equities expected to resume their upward trend

- The U.S. housing market has improved and consumers are spending more compared to Q2

- Significant drop in yield on Italian and Spanish 10-year bonds suggests lower perceived risk in the Eurozone

- China's stimulus measures demonstrate the country is on track for a soft landing

- BMO to hold BMO Ultimate Fan Appreciation Nights in 40 Canadian Hockey League arenas from October 23 to December 12 as part of year two of its four-year partnership with the Canadian Hockey League

- BMO's Ultimate CHL Fan Contest will provide a lucky fan in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Western Hockey League (WHL) and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with a trip for two to the 2013 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Saskatoon

- Most with a will intend to keep their money in the family, with 60 per cent designating it to their children

- Almost a third of children know they are included in their parents' will but do not know exactly what they will receive; 17 per cent are not aware that they are in the will at all

- Ongoing communication with immediate family is among key factors to ensure effective estate planning

- Investor interest expected to remain solid into 2013

- Momentum in Canada's largest business centres continues to build

According to BMO Economics, new data shows market continuing to shift into buyer's favour

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

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in four different languages

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

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including weekends

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in seven different languages

Report shows that compared to big businesses, almost twice as many small business employees telecommute in Canada

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

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays and Sundays

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in eight different languages

- Six-in-ten small business owners have seen the value of their business grow over the past five years

- Creating a family legacy seen as one of the most valued factors in owning a small business

- Succession planning critical to smooth business transition process

- Vancouver Main Office Branch was the first bank BMO branch to open in British Columbia

- BMO celebrates 125th anniversary with the Vancouver Board of Trade

- Report on Outlook for Economy, Housing and Labour Market in Vancouver by BMO Economics forecast 60,000 new jobs by 2016

- National fundraiser has Boolathon events taking place in more than 50 communities across Canada

- Goal is to raise $1.2 million for Kids Help Phone

- Intuitive tool provides compelling and actionable research for clients to make more informed trading decisions

- BMO InvestorLine partners with industry leader Recognia(R) to offer technical analysis capabilities

- Introduction of Technical Insight follows recent launch of adviceDirect(TM), Canada's first online personalized service providing investing advice to online investors

- Complimentary food, beverages and entertainment with great giveaways

- New BMO branch represents a $1.6 million investment in the community

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays

- New branch in fast-growing West Lethbridge community

- Estimated output increase of 7.5 per cent

- Agri producers in solid position, with farm receipts picking up

- High dollar still a challenge, but opportunities lie in emerging markets, improved productivity and a shift to higher-return products

Almost half of Canadians believe a candidate is more likely to be hired if they can hide their disability from a potential employer

- The majority, 62 per cent, believe a person with a non-visible disability is more likely to be hired and promoted than a person with a visible disability.

- Canadians identify perceptions and myths of employers as the top reason people with disabilities are under-represented in the workforce

Strong culture of inclusiveness fosters employee growth and success

- Management fees will be reduced for certain BMO ETFs

- Announcement comes soon after BMO's ETF business surpasses $7 billion in assets under management

- Economy outperforms national average

- Energy sector remains key driver of growth

- Jobless rate is lowest in Canada

- Real GDP growth of 3.5 per cent in 2012, 2.9 per cent in 2013 (Canada's at 2.2 per cent in 2012, 2.0 per cent in 2013)

- Auto manufacturers continuing to invest in Ontario

- Housing cooling from stricter mortgage rules

- Real GDP growth of 2.0 per cent in 2012, 1.8 per cent in 2013 (Canada's at 2.2 per cent in 2012, 2.0 per cent in 2013)

- Higher output expected in mining sector

- Fiscal restraint cooling investment activity

- Real GDP growth of 1.5 per cent in 2012, 1.8 per cent in 2013 (Canada's at 2.2 per cent in 2012, 2.0 per cent in 2013)

- Oil & gas sector to show double digit growth in fiscal 2012/2013

- Strong gains for farm sector

- Real GDP growth of 3.1 per cent in 2012, 2.7 per cent in 2013 (Canada's at 2.2 per cent in 2012, 2.0 per cent in 2013)

- Capital expenditures to jump 27 per cent in 2012

- Oil production fuelling revenues, but output to fall

- Real GDP growth of 1.0 per cent in 2012, 3.3 per cent in 2013 (Canada's at 2.2 per cent in 2012, 2.0 per cent in 2013)

- Employment up 1.3 per cent year-over-year in September

- Cooling housing market, but U.S. recovery could support forestry sector

- Real GDP growth of 2.5 per cent in 2012, 2.4 per cent in 2013 (Canada's at 2.2 per cent in 2012, 2.0 per cent in 2013)

- Contract to support economy for years to come

- Deep Panuke production to support natural gas exports

- Real GDP growth of 1.8 per cent in 2012, 2.3 per cent in 2013 (Canada's at 2.2 per cent in 2012, 2.0 per cent in 2013)

- Real GDP growth of 1.4 per cent in 2012 and 2013 (Canada's at 2.2 per cent in 2012, 2.0 per cent in 2013)

- Strong investment intentions in mining sector

- Jobless rate at 8.0 per cent in September, down from December high of 8.7 per cent

- Real GDP growth of 1.3 per cent in 2012, 1.4 per cent in 2013 (Canada's at 2.2 per cent in 2012, 2.0 per cent in 2013)

- Farm sector bounces back despite extreme U.S. drought

- Third-lowest jobless rate in Canada

- Real GDP growth of 2.6 per cent in 2012, 2.3 per cent in 2013 (Canada's at 2.2 per cent in 2012, 2.0 per cent in 2013)

- Projected national growth of 2.2 per cent in 2012, 2.0 per cent in 2013

- Alberta to lead the country with 3.5 per cent growth this year

- Resource sector fueling growth in Western Canada

- Nearly one-in-ten currently own a "student house"

- Majority believe purchasing property to rent to students or house their children attending college or university is a good investment

- BMO experts highlight what potential buyers need to know about investing in student properties and the tax implications

Award-winning Trade Finance group has nearly two centuries supporting North American traditional and structured trade transactions

Equity Through Education Trading Day initiative has raised more than $12 million to date and assisted more than 2,500 students

- BMO is adding approximately 250 additional ATMs to its Quebec network to offer a better banking experience to its customers

- BMO debit and credit card customers can use the Cash ATMs without paying additional fees

- Only one-third often set budgets for expenses, and even fewer actually review their purchases on a monthly basis

- Less than one-in-five set a budget for non-essential spending

- With the fall season officially here, BMO recommends Canadians begin planning financially for the upcoming holiday season

Canadians spending an average of $3,720 annually on items they want but do not need, with men spending more than double that of women

- The majority shop to improve their mood, while nearly half regret purchases after the fact and sometimes spend more than they make on a monthly basis

- One quarter unable to afford something they need because of spending on 'wants'

- Clothing, shoes and dining out are the most common impulse purchases among Canadians

- Intuitive tool better enables investors to integrate value stocks into their portfolio

- BMO InvestorLine partners with industry leader Recognia(R) to boost value investing capabilities

- Value Analyzer(TM) follows release of adviceDirect(TM), Canada's first online personalized service providing investing advice to online investors

- 2012 performance: 71 per cent positive about 2012

- Looking ahead: 56 per cent believe 2013 will be better year

- Business growth: 50 per cent believe business will grow

Annualized trade growth of 7.1 per cent between Manitoba and U.S. since 1990

Annualized trade growth of 9.2 per cent between Alberta and U.S. since 1990

Annualized trade growth of 9.8 per cent between Saskatchewan and U.S. since 1990

Annualized trade growth of 8.0 per cent between New Brunswick and U.S. since 1990

Annualized trade growth of 8.6 per cent between Newfoundland & Labrador and U.S. since 1990

Annualized trade growth of 7.5 per cent between PEI and U.S. since 1990

- Canadian farmers fill the harvest table with healthy choices

- Local farmers' markets are responsible for more than $1 billion in sales and have a total economic impact of more than $3 billion

- BMO study finds 86 per cent of consumers believe it is important to purchase food products made in Canada.

More than $11 million has been raised through the program since 2005

- The psychology behind 'Boomerpreneurs' - many boomers start their own business because they want to work for themselves, not because of financial need

- Over the past decade, the number of self-employed workers has increased by 17 per cent; 40 per cent of workers over 65 are self-employed

- Entrepreneurial trend could lead to a boost for the Canadian economy

- BMO offers financial advice to "Boomerpreneurs" launching new businesses

Of the 44 per cent of small businesses that have, 77 per cent said these employees either met or exceeded their expectations

- 56 per cent of small businesses in Canada have never hired a person with a disability

- One-in-four businesses (23 per cent) plan to increase the size of their workforce next year

- Small business owners say their biggest challenge for 2013 will be attracting and retaining talented employees, even though educated, talented and capable people with disabilities are ready to step in

- 'Not knowing how to recruit persons with a disability' is the most common reason small businesses have not hired them

Report Reveals Canadian Retail Sector Most Likely to have Stronger Trade Ties With the U.S.

However, out-of-country travel remains a growing trend

- 54 per cent of Canadians are planning a fall vacation

- Of those travelling, 29 per cent are headed out of country

- International travel account deficit $16.25 billion at the end of 2011

- Florida top U.S. travel destination; Mexico top international destination

- S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index up for 6th straight month

- Nearly two-in-ten Canadians would consider purchasing a home south of the border

Canadians spending an average of $3,720 annually on items they want but do not need, with men spending more than double that of women

- The majority shop to improve their mood, while nearly half regret purchases after the fact and sometimes spend more than they make on a monthly basis

- One quarter unable to afford something they need because of spending on 'wants'

- Clothing, shoes and dining out are the most common impulse purchases among Canadians

Successful small and medium sized enterprise clients and BMO experts available to comment on how they overcame roadblocks to business success

- First BMO Farm Family Awards Ceremony for Ontario a highlight of 2012 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo

However, out-of-country travel remains a growing trend

- 54 per cent of Canadians are planning a fall vacation

- Of those travelling, 29 per cent are headed out of country

- International travel account deficit $16.25 billion at the end of 2011

- Florida top U.S. travel destination; Mexico top international destination

- Ladner Storm girls' under ten soccer team wins $125,000 for a field refurbishment

- Selects Whitecaps FC game for team trip

- Makes donation of $5,000 to BC Children's Hospital Foundation

Writing a story on small business? BMO has experts across the country. To arrange an interview, please contact (416) 867-3996

Graduating student artists from across the country will display their award winning work at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA) from October 3-28, 2012

- Majority of Canadians try to stick to purchasing Canadian products when shopping for groceries

- Supporting Canadian producers is cited as the top benefit of purchasing local food

- U.S. housing market improves and non-manufacturing index rises

- European Central Bank policymakers' bond buying program demonstrates commitment to keep the Eurozone intact

- Slower European growth has negative impact on China

$17 billion relationship between Ontario and Illinois