News Releases

- Online investing can provide greater flexibility, convenience and control

- More than one-third of Canadians either currently trade online or are considering doing so

- Brokerages such as BMO InvestorLine offer access to a wide variety of resources and investments, including ETFs, Mutual Funds, GICs and Bonds

- BMO InvestorLine awarded Top bank-owned online broker from The Globe and Mail in 2008, 2009 and 2011

"Open For Business" with $10 billion in additional credit

- Dairy industry annually contributes $15.2 billion in economic benefits and employs 215,000 Canadians

- Each year the average Canadian drinks 95 litres of milk

- Agricultural sector employs one in eight jobs directly and accounts for approximately eight per cent of Canada's total Gross Domestic Product

Canadians will see familiar "BMO" on the Indianapolis Skyline

- New BMO branch represents a $2.8 million investment into the community

- BMO boosts credit to Canadian businesses by $10 billion

- Branch offers 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

- 2 per cent rate on 1 year GIC available on any new BMO RRSP contributions

- In volatile market conditions, BMO recommends Canadians seek out safe, short term investment options to park their savings

- Renovated historic branch offers customers a full-service BMO Nesbitt Burns office and extended banking hours, including Saturdays

- BMO boosts credit to Canadian businesses by $10 billion - money available to companies in Kitchener-Waterloo to help grow their operations

- A $5,000 donation will be presented to The Family & Children's Services of the Waterloo Region Foundation

- Canadians place much higher importance on salary and job flexibility than a good pension plan when evaluating job opportunities

- More than half do not know what their ideal workplace pension would look like

- Half of working Canadians have already had five or more employers; 20 per cent expect to have worked for 10 or more employers over their careers

- Including Boxing Day purchases, Canadians who shopped this holiday season spent an average of $1029 over the holiday season - approximately $300 less than planned

- Most Canadians indicated that holiday spending will not keep them from meeting financial obligations or goals in 2012

- Reducing overall household debt number one priority for Canadians heading into 2012

BMO Retirement Institute to Hold Conference Call on Tuesday, January 31st at 11:30 am ET to Brief Media on New Pension Report

- Moderate activity, stable prices anticipated through 2013

- Low interest rates should hold affordability in check allowing household income to catch up with prices

- Currently strong sales in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland & Labrador, as well as in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax and Ottawa

- Previously red-hot Vancouver softening

- BMO advises homeowners to choose a 25 year amortization

- Donation supports the new "Our World: BMO Sustainability Gallery" part of Science World's Bridging the Science Gap capital campaign

- Ceremony at BMO Power of Blue Day, all BMO customers received free admission when they showed their BMO debit or credit card

- New screening tools, access to Morningstar reports and enhanced site layout will help investors make better mutual fund investing decisions

- BMO InvestorLine awarded Top bank-owned online broker from The Globe and Mail in 2008, 2009 and 2011

Key fiscal 2011 financial results and measures under IFRS, compared with amounts previously reported for fiscal 2011 under Canadian generally accepted accounting principles

- Reported net income of $3,114 million, compared with $3,266 million

- Adjusted net income(1) of $3,275 million, compared with $3,281 million

- Reported diluted EPS of $4.84, compared with $5.26

- Adjusted diluted EPS(1) of $5.10, compared with $5.29

- Reported ROE of 15.1%, compared with 15.3%

- Adjusted ROE(1) of 16.0%, compared with 15.3%

- New screening tools, access to Morningstar reports and enhanced site layout will help investors make better mutual fund investing decisions

- BMO InvestorLine awarded Top bank-owned online broker from The Globe and Mail in 2008, 2009 and 2011

Take a step back this RRSP season to ensure your investing portfolio suits your life stage

Take a step back this RRSP season to ensure your investing portfolio suits your life stage

- Over $19.1 million for local United Ways and other charities across North America

- Over 70 per cent of employees participated in campaign, through donations in addition to volunteering their time at hundreds of community charities

BMO's Paul Taylor, Jack Ablin and John Bathurst Host Call on January 26th, 2012

According to L. Jacques Menard, it's time to fight cynicism and give hope to young people

BMO's Paul Taylor, Jack Ablin and John Bathurst Host Call on January 26th, 2012

- Today at 11 a.m. ET (conference call)

- Panellists include: Andrew Busch, BMO Capital Markets (Chicago); Paul Taylor, BMO Harris Private Banking (Toronto); and Tony Cousins, Pyrford International (London)

- More than a third of Canadians don't know the difference between a TFSA and an RRSP

- 44 per cent of Canadians have a TFSA; more than 60 per cent have an RRSP

- Average annual TFSA contribution is $3,700, average RRSP contribution in 2010 was $4,700

- BMO offers tips on how both vehicles can work together

- Thursday, January 19, 11 a.m. ET (conference call)

- Panellists include: Andrew Busch, BMO Capital Markets (Chicago); Paul Taylor, BMO Harris Private Banking (Toronto); and Tony Cousins, Pyrford International (London)

More Locations Added in Rural Communities for Customers to Use Video Conferencing to Reach Financial Planners

- Making Money Make Sense "virtually" in over 50 locations in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia

- BMO expands video conferencing service so more customers can now access financial planners, commercial and small business specialists, investment advisors

- Video conferencing offers timely access for TFSA and RRSP contributions

Frontier markets funds gaining traction among institutional investors

- Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) market grew by 13 per cent in 2011

- 2012 will see more product launches, innovation and increased price competition among providers

- Cost effectiveness, transparency and liquidity helping fuel ETF growth

Moving all investments under one roof can simplify your life as well as save you time and money

Get pre-approved and be guaranteed this rate for the next 90 days

- Almost 60 per cent of Canadians are confident in their ability to save for retirement versus fewer than 40 per cent of Americans

- Almost 90 per cent of Americans are concerned about the performance of their 401K, while approximately two-thirds of Canadians express similar concerns about their RRSP

- However, half of both Canadians and Americans say they have or may have to delay their retirement or work part-time because of a shortage of retirement savings

BMO Mutual Funds recognized for its leadership in customer service

- Including Boxing Day purchases, Canadians who shopped this holiday season spent an average of $1029 over the holiday season - approximately $300 less than planned

- Most Canadians indicated that holiday spending will not keep them from meeting financial obligations or goals in 2012

- Reducing overall household debt number one priority for Canadians heading into 2012

- Hear from the industry leading producers and service providers for unconventional oil and gas resource development in North America

- Keynote speakers include Porter Bennett, President of BENTEK and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dr. Daniel Yergin

- 15 per cent of Boomers chose Victoria as top retirement destination in Canada

- Small-town Ontario, Montreal and Toronto area also popular

- Cost of living, local tax rates and access to health care key considerations when choosing where to retire

The Right Mortgage for Right Now

- Hear from the industry leading producers and service providers for unconventional oil and gas resource development in North America

- Keynote speakers include Porter Bennett, President of BENTEK and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dr. Daniel Yergin

- Almost three-quarters of Ontarians plan on contributing the same amount or more to their RRSP during the 2011 tax year compared to 2010

- More than half are confident in their ability to save for their ideal retirement

- Given market volatility and the state of the economy, almost three-quarters of Ontarians are concerned about the performance of their RRSP

- 49 per cent feel that they are on track to realize their ideal retirement lifestyle

- More than a quarter have or will be making a contribution to an RRSP before the February 29, 2012 deadline

- Almost half feel either the same or more optimistic about the financial markets going into 2012 compared to last year

- However, one-third believe they will have to delay retirement or work part-time during retirement

- Residents in Manitoba and Saskatchewan lead country in RRSP adoption

- More than 40 per cent have or will be making a contribution to an RRSP this tax year

- Prairie Provinces are the most optimistic when it comes to their outlook for the financial markets

- However, more than three quarters are concerned about the performance of their RRSPs given current financial markets

- Three-in-five Albertans are confident in their ability to save for their ideal retirement lifestyle-making them among the most confident in Canada

- Yet, almost half of those surveyed do not plan to make an RRSP contribution this tax year

- Seventy-eight per cent of Albertans express concern over the performance of their RRSP, given market volatility and the state of the economy

- Almost 60 per cent of B.C. residents believe they are on the right path to realize their ideal retirement lifestyle

- However, 72 per cent are worried about the performance of their RRSPs given the current state of the economy

- B.C. residents most likely in Canada to contribute less to their RRSP than last tax year

- One-in-three lack confidence in their ability to save for retirement - twice as many as during the 2010 tax year

- More than two-thirds express concern over the performance of their RRSP, given market volatility and the state of the economy

- Almost 70 per cent of Canadians plan on contributing more or the same amount to their RRSP this tax year compared to last

- In 2010 the average RRSP contribution was $4,700

- Almost two-thirds of Quebecers feel confident in their ability to save for their ideal retirement lifestyle

- Forty per cent have or will be making a contribution to an RRSP before the February 29, 2011 deadline - above the national average

- More than half either feel the same or are more optimistic about the markets compared to last year

- However, more than 60 per cent are concerned about the performance of their RRSPs

- Fewer than 20 per cent of Canadians believe employers will invest in training and development-down from 33 per cent in 2010.

- Only 17 per cent think employers will hire new talent in 2012 compared to almost 30 per cent last year.

- Canadians expectations for workforce investments are significantly lower than employers' stated intentions for the New Year.

- Extended family members can play an important role in helping ensure the long-term financial well-being of a Canadian with a disability

- The holiday season is an excellent time for family to discuss the long-term financial needs of a relative with a disability

- BMO Holiday Spending Survey shows consumers are better prepared for holiday shopping now than in 2010, with most planning weeks or months in advance

- However, 11 per cent of Canadians still consider themselves last-minute shoppers

- Men more likely to leave gift shopping until the last minute (13 per cent vs 8 per cent of women)

Canadian spending showing serious signs of life

- 94 per cent of Canadians believe it's important to buy locally grown produce and wine on a regular basis

- Agricultural sector accounts for approximately eight per cent of Canada's total Gross Domestic Product

- Canadians will donate an average of $487 in 2011

- Charitable donations usually spike during the holiday season and so do fraudulent charity schemes

- It's critical for Canadians to do their due diligence before making a donation

- Canadians expect to spend $1397 this holiday season

- Gift giving spend decreases while holiday entertaining spending accounts for the biggest year-over-year increase - up by more than $100

- Albertans set to spend the most on average on gifts

- BMO study finds that most grandparents give approximately $100 a year in gifts to each of their grandkids

- A holiday gift of $100 a year from each set of grandparents to an RESP can provide a child with up to $11,000 for their post-secondary education

- Current cost of a four-year degree can be up to $60,000; it could be as high as $140,000 for a child born in 2011

- BMO offers advice on how to maximize education savings

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

Paying down household debt and holiday gifts top uses for year-end bonuses

- 29 per cent of working Canadians expect to receive a year-end bonus

- 79 per cent of those who anticipate receiving a bonus believe it will be the same or more than last year

- Over half of Canadians who expect to receive a year-end bonus will use the money to pay down household debt

- Over 78,000 franchises across Canada employ more than 1 million people

- Franchising accounts for over 10 per cent of Canada's GDP

- Franchised businesses account for over 40 per cent of all retail sales

BMO Reiterates that the 25 Year Amortization is the Right Mortgage for Right Now

- Only 37 per cent of Canadian parents have appointed a guardian

- 80 per cent of parents would look to family when choosing a guardian

- Majority don't know how much money they would leave to a guardian to cover additional expenses

- The holiday season is an excellent time to begin discussing guardianship with family and friends

- UBC Dairy Education & Research Centre in B.C.'s Fraser Valley receives BMO Financial Group gift

- Research key to the sustainability and productivity of the Canadian dairy industry

- Agriculture sector to grow 2 per cent in 2012, 2 to 3 per cent in subsequent years