News Releases

- BMO's new book on succession planning helps business owners plan for the future

- Majority of small business owners do not have a succession in place

- Underestimating time, lack of communication, avoiding conflict and a lack of balance in succession plans identified as the top barriers to success

- This year, 40 per cent of Canadians are focused on using their RRSP refund to pay down debt, including their mortgage

- One in five are planning to save or invest the money in a TFSA or RRSP

- Only 11 per cent will be using their refund for travel or leisure items

- BMO offers advice on how to make the most of an RRSP tax refund

Governor of the Bank of Canada Urges Business Owners to Increase Exports

- Rob Drysdale of Red Deer, Alberta awarded BMO Ultimate CHL Fan contest grand prize: a trip for two to the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, Quebec

You don't have to buy a new pair of shoes to balance the family budget

- Global Banking and Finance Review awards BMO for second consecutive year

- Award honours quality, performance and banking ability of staff

- Ronald Pronovost of Mirabel, Québec awarded BMO Ultimate CHL Fan contest grand prize: a trip for two to the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, Québec

- Justin Hendrikx of Guelph, Ontario awarded BMO Ultimate CHL Fan contest grand prize: a trip for two to the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, Quebec

- Three winners -- Rob Drysdale of Red Deer, Alberta; Ronald Pronovost of Mirabel, Quebec; and Justin Hendrikx of Guelph, Ontario -- awarded Ultimate CHL Fan contest grand prize: a trip for two to the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, Quebec

Canadians will again get to vote for their favourite youth soccer team

- 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; 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

- OAS eligibility will rise from 65 to 67 years of age

- Thirty-two per cent of Canadians aged 25-54 will rely on OAS, CPP and QPP as their primary source of retirement income

Canadian financial markets expected to get boost from Federal Budget

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

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in 10 different languages

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays and Sundays

- Grand opening celebration features giveaways and a raffle for a chance to win a $600 gift card to Great Wolf Lodge

Panellists include Andrew Busch, BMO Capital Markets (Chicago) and Paul Taylor, BMO Harris Private Banking (Toronto)

- 2012 off to a great start for U.S. equity markets while Canada's lag global peers

- What should investors and portfolio managers consider as they take part in end-of-quarter "window dressing" and grab top performing stocks?

- What are the prospects for the U.S. greenback and Canadian loonie?

- Friday, March 30th, 11 a.m. ET (conference call)

- BMO counted more than 30 million pennies for Canadians last year

- BMO recommends Canadians take advantage of BMO's free coin counters to make their pennies count

- New BMO branch represents a $1.7 million investment into the community

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in five different languages

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays

- Chance to win a $1000 BMO Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) contribution

Panellists include Andrew Busch, BMO Capital Markets (Chicago) and Paul Taylor, BMO Harris Private Banking (Toronto)

- 2012 off to a great start for U.S. equity markets while Canada's lag global peers

- What should investors and portfolio managers consider as they take part in end-of-quarter "window dressing" and grab top performing stocks?

- What are the prospects for the U.S. greenback and Canadian loonie?

- Friday, March 30th, 11 a.m. ET (conference call)

Panellists include Andrew Busch, BMO Capital Markets (Chicago) and Paul Taylor, BMO Harris Private Banking (Toronto)

- 2012 off to a great start for U.S. equity markets while Canada's lag global peers

- What should investors and portfolio managers consider as they take part in end-of-quarter "window dressing" and grab top performing stocks?

- What are the prospects for the U.S. greenback and Canadian loonie?

- Friday, March 30th, 11 a.m. ET (conference call)

- BMO Economists and Financial Experts available for commentary and analysis

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

- Funds raised will go toward Cambridge Hospital's capital expansion, St. Mary's Hospital's CT Scanner and Interventional Radiology equipment at Grand River Hospital

- Media are invited to attend keynote presentation by BMO Financial Group's Chief Economist, Dr. Sherry Cooper

- Fundraiser now in its third year, with $115,000 raised to date

- March is Fraud Prevention Month

- Fraud is a direct threat to the financial well-being of businesses, costing millions of dollars each year

- BMO Bank of Montreal offers eight tips to strengthen defences against internet fraudsters

- More than three-quarters of Canadians don't take tax implications into consideration with every investment decision

- Strategies to reduce capital gains taxes include: catching up on unused RRSP room; deferring the gains to next year; using capital losses to offset gains; and donating appreciated securities to a charity

- While history has favoured variable, current conditions have heavily tilted the scales in favour of fixed rates

- Locking-in-combined with a shorter, 25-year amortization period-significantly strengthens household financial stability

- BMO recommends Canadian homebuyers choose a shorter amortization to begin building equity in their home faster

Historic Performance Driven by Double-digit Revenue and Double-digit Earnings Growth Across Operating Groups

- AGNS adds major installation by Attila Richard Lukacs and video art from Tom Sherman to permanent collection

- BMO Free Access Thursday Nights Widens Audience

- Half of Business Owners say Social Media has the Potential to Increase Their Business Profitability

- Canadian Business Owners say on Average 28 per cent of Their Marketing Efforts are Focused - Online, While one-in-five Lack Social Media Savvy

- Business Owners 'like' Facebook first; LinkedIn and Twitter are Their Second and Third Choices

- U.S. economic recovery stronger than expected

- Canadian equity market lagging global peers with 1.7 per cent return

- Better news from Europe leading to more optimistic investor sentiment, positive equity returns

- Looking ahead - Middle East issues may have negative implications, including a spike in oil prices

'The Transition Experience: What Every Canadian Family Business Owner Should Know Beyond Succession Planning'

- Leger report shows eight in ten Canadians seeking rate certainty for as long as possible

- Half of Canadians would consider shortening the amortization on their mortgage

- Locking in for a 5 or 10 year term provides certainty of payment and protection against higher rates

- 25-year amortization helps build home equity faster

- Current rates make home ownership affordable

- Seventy per cent of Canadians are concerned about the performance of their investment portfolios

- Diversification key to ensuring you weather the ups and downs of the markets

- Review your investments periodically to ensure you're on track

- 25-year amortization will help you build equity in your home faster

- Leger report shows eight in ten Canadians seeking rate certainty for as long as possible and half looking at shortening amortization

- BMO's new 10-year fixed low-rate mortgage offers a rate of 3.99 per cent making home ownership affordable

- Assets under management have grown more than 30 per cent in first two months of 2012

- BMO ETFs led Canadian ETF industry in growth in 2011; ranked #1 in customer loyalty

- BMO ETFs growth being driven by fixed income, strategic non-indexed and yield-oriented equity ETF offerings

- BMO ETF Report: new product offerings, innovation and price competition will drive industry growth in 2012

- Debt is the number one barrier preventing Canadians from saving for retirement

- Almost half of Canadians aged 50 to 59 currently have mortgage debt

- Debt in retirement can be a threat to financial security

- Shorter amortization is an excellent option to become mortgage-free sooner

- Online tool helps parents teach children the value of money

- Includes suite of tools, advice, interactive games, and access to leading experts

- Leger report reveals only 54 per cent of parents have discussed household finances with their children

- 37 per cent are not confident their children have a firm grasp of money management

- Open a new Kids Discounted Banking Plan, deposit $25 in coins or cash, and BMO will deposit an additional $25

- New BMO branch near the Mill Woods Town Centre represents a $1.7 million investment into the community

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays and Sundays

- BMO's 2.99 per cent fixed low-rate mortgage offers a five-year shield against rising interest rates; maximum 25-year amortization reduces the mortgage balance faster

- BMO's five-year fixed rate provides a shield against rising rates for a longer period of time

- BMO's shorter 25-year amortization reduces the mortgage balance faster

- 2.99 per cent rate minimizes the cost of homeownership over time

- BMO invites new and existing customers to enjoy the benefits of this offer

- Get pre-approved at BMO by March 28 and take three months to find the right home within your budget

- 10-year fixed low-rate mortgage with 25 year amortization at 3.99 per cent

- 5-year low-rate mortgage with 25 year amortization at 2.99 per cent

- BMO is helping Canadians become mortgage-free faster

- More than 80 per cent of Canadian women are responsible or share responsibility equally for household financial decisions

- However, only 30 per cent of women feel the financial services industry is effectively addressing their needs

- Sixty-one per cent of women want more detailed information from their investment advisors

- BMO Nesbitt Burns is involved in several initiatives to help promote the advancement of women in financial services; launches new client education site to help women manage their wealth

- Introduces new 10-year fixed low-rate mortgage with 25 year amortization at 3.99 per cent

- Lowers rate on 5-year low-rate mortgage with 25 year amortization to 2.99 per cent

Releases Inaugural Report "Single in Retirement"

- BMO study shows 16 per cent of Canadians would consider purchasing a home or property south of the border - down from 20 per cent a year ago

- One quarter plan to rent first before making their decision

- Canadians account for the largest share of foreign demand for U.S. real estate - a trend that is unlikely to change

- Almost 40 per cent of Canadians made an RRSP contribution this year before the deadline

- During the month of February, BMO offered daily tips from Tina Di Vito's book, 52 Ways to Wreck Your Retirement...and How to Rescue It

- Start rescuing your retirement this year by following some simple advice from one of Canada's foremost retirement experts

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.

January through March is typically the busiest period for out-of-country travel

- Trips out of country increased 5.9 per cent last year

- Spending by Canadians abroad grew 11.24 per cent

- Top U.S. Destinations include New York, Florida, Washington

- Domestic travel expected to increase modest 1.8 per cent in 2012

- BMO offers tips on foreign exchange and payment options for travellers

- 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

- 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.