News Releases

- One in ten Canadians are expected to carry debt following holiday season purchases according to the 2012 BMO Holiday Spending Outlook

- One quarter of Canadians have family and assets abroad

- More than one-third of international asset holders are not familiar with the taxes and laws pertaining to their wills

- Assets abroad can include second properties, bank accounts and investments

- Corporate executorship is key to managing an estate with global components

- BMO Holiday Spending Survey shows consumers are better prepared for holiday shopping now than in 2011, with most planning weeks or months in advance

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

- Men more likely to wait until December to start (38 per cent versus 21 per cent of women)

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- 87 per cent of Canadians believe it's important to support Canadian food producers on a regular basis

- Agricultural sector accounts for approximately eight per cent of Canada's total GDP

- Almost two-thirds would opt for a donation made on their behalf rather than receiving a holiday gift

- More than three-quarters like the idea of making a charitable donation on someone else's behalf instead of giving a present

- Almost half of Canadians volunteered in 2012

- Alberta, Atlantic Canada and Ontario will see the most spending activity on Boxing Day

- According to BMO Economics, total retail sales, excluding auto and gasoline sales, are expected to be almost $60 billion in November to December period

- BMO, the official bank of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), is launching a twitter contest for CHL fans

- Fans have the chance to tweet using @BMOCHL #UltimateFan for a chance to win a trip for two to the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Halifax

- Interest rate of 1.2 per cent to be paid on all balances - the highest rate offered among Canada's major financial institutions for a full-service savings account

- New enhancements designed to help Canadians reach their savings goals faster

Poll reveals top three New Year's Resolutions for Employees and their Bosses

- Six out of 10 Canadians are planning a vacation during the upcoming holidays

- Canadians plan to spend an average of $560 on travel during the holiday season

- Use of reward points for travel continues to increase

- One quarter of Canadians have family and assets abroad

- More than one-third of international asset holders are not familiar with the taxes and laws pertaining to their wills

- Assets abroad can include second properties, bank accounts and investments

- Corporate executorship is key to managing an estate with global components

- Program helps farmers mitigate risk and manage cash flow

- BMO AgriInvest Account allows farmers to increase their savings through market-leading rate