News Releases

- 42 per cent of Manitobans and Saskatchewanians made an RRSP contribution this year - tops in the country

- The two provinces contributed an average of $5,605 - $2,000 more than last year

- Nationally, men were more likely than women to have made a contribution

Women-owned businesses employ over 1.5 million Canadians

- 71 percent of women would like to start their own business

- 83 per cent of Canadian women say having access to role models or mentors will be important to their success

- One-quarter of women believe striking a balance between work life commitments will be a challenge to starting their own business

- To support International Women's Day (March 8th), BMO will be donating 5 cents to the Canadian Women's Foundation for each retweet of the #BMOIWD hash tag, up to a maximum of $10,000.

- Residents of Quebec contributed an average of $5,318 this year to their RRSPs - up 42 per cent from last year

- Forty per cent in the province contributed to an RRSP before Feb 29th deadline

- Mutual funds were top RRSP investment choice for Quebecers, followed by GICs, bonds, equities and ETFs

- Nationally, men were more likely than women to have made a contribution

- 38 per cent contributed to an RRSP before Feb. 29th deadline - the same as the national average

- Ontarians contributed an average of $4,038 - $900 less than last year

- More than half (60 per cent) of the province's contributors opted for mutual funds for their RRSPs, followed by GICs (26 per cent), equities (22 per cent), bonds (6 per cent) and ETFs (6 per cent)

- Nationally, men more likely than women to have contributed

- 42 per cent of Manitobans and Saskatchewanians made an RRSP contribution this year - tops in the country

- The two provinces contributed an average of $5,605 - $2,000 more than last year

- Nationally, men were more likely than women to have made a contribution

- British Columbians contributed an average of $6,700 to their RRSPs this year - more than any other region in Canada

- One-third of British Columbians made a contribution before the February 29th deadline

- Nationally, men were more likely than women to have made a contribution

- Half of the province's contributors opted for mutual funds for their RRSPs (51 per cent), followed by equities (29 per cent), GICs (21 per cent), bonds (10 per cent) and ETFs (4 per cent)

- 32 per cent contributed to an RRSP before February 29th deadline

- Average contribution amount was $3,864

- Atlantic Canadians most likely in Canada to include equities in their RRSPs

- Nationally, men were more likely than women to have made a contribution

- 42 per cent of Albertans contributed to an RRSP before the February 29th deadline - unchanged from last year

- The average RRSP contribution amount in Alberta was $3,980 while the national average was $4,670

- Nationally, men were more likely than women to have made a contribution

- 38 per cent contributed to an RRSP before Feb. 29th deadline

- Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba led the way with 42 per cent participation

- Canadians contributed an average of $4,670

- Men more likely than women to have contributed

- Mutual funds were top RRSP investment choice this season, followed by GICs

18-Year BMO Veteran Responsible for Relationships With Corporate and Government Clients Worldwide

Adds global responsibility for all BMO's Fixed Income and Money Market Sales & Trading capabilities to existing Financial Products portfolio

Assumes Responsibility for All BMO's FX Activities in North America, Europe and Asia

Access to capital, developing a business plan, and finding customers top challenges

- Food and hospitality, retail/services, and arts/entertainment & recreation most favoured sectors

- 52 per cent of Canadians believe access to capital to be the primary challenge to starting their own business

- 86 per cent of potential entrepreneurs say sharing knowledge with other business owners will be important to their success

- Midnight, February 29th is the deadline for contributing to an RRSP

- BMO offers multiple options for Canadians looking to contribute

- BMO media spokespeople available to provide last-minute RRSP advice

New branch is latest step in rebuilding downtown Goderich following tornado damage

- Newly renovated BMO branch represents a $1.4 million investment into the community

- Special attendance by Deb Shewfelt, Mayor, Town of Goderich

- Donation presentation of $7,500 to the Alexandra Marine & General Hospital

- Grand opening celebration features a chance to win great prizes, including a iPad 2 or a cash prize

Tony Robson and David Haughton hosting BMO Capital Markets' 21st Global Metals & Mining Conference this week

- Outlook for copper factors in strong demand from China

- Gold consumption in India and China has been a key driver of the market

- Major outflows in burgeoning ETF industry carry potential risk to impact silver prices

"Stars of Vancouver Readers' Choice Awards"

- Making money make sense for customers in diverse and trendy downtown Vancouver neighbourhood

- $10 billion in credit available to Canadian businesses over the next three years will provide important benefits to companies located in B.C.

- $10 billion in credit available to businesses across Canada over the next three years will provide important benefits to companies located in B.C.

- BMO is committed to making money make sense and providing clarity for commercial customers making financial decisions

As the February 29th RRSP deadline approaches, BMO hosts media panel on how to get the most from your retirement savings

- New BMO branch represents a $1.1 million investment into the community

- BMO boosts credit to Canadian businesses by $10 billion

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays and Sundays

- Grand opening celebration features, giveaways and a raffle for a chance to win one of two Apple iPads

- Forty per cent of boomers wished they had started saving for retirement earlier

- One-third regret not having invested more in real estate

- Boomers advise young Canadians to get moving on RRSPs, TFSAs, financial plans and becoming mortgage-free faster

- Female boomers feel more strongly than males about the need to have a financial plan and importance of being on the same page as their partner on retirement

As the February 29th RRSP deadline approaches, BMO hosts media panel on how to get the most from your retirement savings

Inclusiveness increasingly seen as key success factor of leading employers

- Calming Eurozone Situation Inspiring Market Confidence

- US Stocks Poised for Double-Digit Returns

- Commodities Should Help Drive Canadian Equities

- Don Coxe, Strategy Advisor, will be available for media interviews in advance of BMO Capital Markets' Metals & Mining conference

- Mr. Coxe to provide outlook for factors shaping commodity market

- 2012 will be a positive year for commodity stocks and non-European equities

BMO offers BMO SmartSteps for Parents, an online, interactive hub to help parents educate children on money management

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

BMO offering support by making $10 billion available over next three years

- Vancouver prices down, Toronto prices up

- Saskatoon, Regina, Edmonton and Halifax lead with sales gains

- BMO urges Canadians to choose 25-year amortization to save on interest costs

- First winners of BMO's Team of the Week Award use their $125,000 prize to help build a new soccer field for Concord Thornhill Regional Park

- 2012 BMO Team of the Week contest begins April 2

Report combines expertise from BMO's Economists with on-the-ground anecdotal information from BMO's Commercial Bankers

- Sixty per cent of Canadian investors have target dates in mind to reach their financial goals

- However, only half feel their investments are aligned to support their key life events such as marriage, the purchase of a home and retirement

- BMO LifeStage Class Mutual Funds and Corporate Bond Target Maturity Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) help address this by reducing the risk as a key life event approaches

BMO encourages couples to be open when it comes to dollars and cents

- The overwhelming majority of Canadians agree that couples need to be on the same page financially

- Despite this, less than half have discussed key financial matters prior to marriage, including debt, savings goals and establishing a financial plan

- Over half of married or engaged couples have already bought or are planning to purchase a home in the next two years

Report combines expertise from BMO's Economists with on-the-ground anecdotal information from BMO's Commercial Bankers

- Five of six Canadians said there were no surprises on their January credit card statement - their balance was what they expected.

- Two-thirds (67 per cent) said they would pay off their January credit card balance in full.

- Reducing overall household debt is number-one priority for Canadians in 2012.

- Men will carry a higher credit card balance into February than women.

However, economic uncertainty and slow job growth may restrain consumers.

- Most Canadians say 'I love you' with candy, flowers or jewellery.

- The love struck may be dining in this Valentine's Day.

- Saskatchewanians most romantic Canadians or just biggest spenders?

Funds Will Support Purchase of Medical Equipment for Growing Day Surgery Program

- Industry leaders from 28 countries and six continents will attend one of the largest metals and mining investor conferences in the world

- Emerging markets are a key driver of commodity prices

- Precious metals including gold and platinum to see strong 2012

BMO offers tips and advice on next steps for pre-approved house hunters

Bank partners with Kids and Company, a national quality day care provider, to provide emergency Back-up Child Care for employees with children.

- Studies consistently show the inability to balance work and family is linked to reduced work performance, greater stress, poor morale and higher employee turnover.

- Only 20 per cent of young Canadian children today have access to a regulated day care space; long waiting lists are the rule in most communities.

- An estimated 45% of working parents miss at least one day of work every six months due to child care breakdowns.

- Canadians spend an average of 10 per cent of disposable income on food

- With heightened retail competition, consumers are likely to face somewhat lower food costs in 2012

- BMO study finds 86 per cent of consumers believe, despite recent price increases, it is important to purchase food products made in Canada

Canadian couples not discussing key retirement planning details

- More than half of Canadian couples have not discussed their desired retirement lifestyle, when or where to retire or the amount of money they'll need

- Almost one-third do not have detailed insight into how much their partner has saved for retirement

- For Canadian couples retirement planning is more stressful than Valentine's Day

Join BMO's Tina Di Vito for a Live Online Discussion and Q&A at theglobeandmail.com

- The majority worried about more market turmoil in the year ahead; unsure of where to invest in the meantime

- Seven in ten Canadians believe fixed income investments play important role in protecting against market volatility

- Safe investment options, such as GICs and bonds, provide protection amid uncertain market conditions

Leading auto expert Maryann Keller to offer insights into the road ahead

- Social media experts and small business owners to participate in discussion and Q&A on opportunities for business owners to grow their businesses using social media

- BMO's Doug Porter to speak about opportunities and challenges in the current economic environment and the implications for small business owners

- BMO accounted for almost half of all Canadian ETF growth in 2011

- BMO ETFs also ranked #1 in customer loyalty

- Success attributed to products that responded to investor needs during volatile times

- Key drivers included income focused and low volatility ETFs