News Releases

- Douglas Porter, BMO Chief Economist, forecasts that savings rates may need to reach 9 per cent to strengthen household finances over the long term

- Report shows the brighter side of the debt picture, with household financial assets reaching near-record 453 per cent of disposable income

- Report comes on the heels of the BMO Household Savings Report, which showed Canadians planning to save aim to put away $9,859 in 2013

- Canadian ETF assets increased by 33 per cent in 2012

- 2013 will see an expansion of the user base of ETFs

- Canadian ETF industry to benefit from developing new uses for ETFs

- Investors will seek out defensive growth strategies and lean towards equities

- Canada and U.S. auto industry on track for solid growth

- Manufacturer innovation fueling consumer demand

- Market conditions, industry investment and affordability to drive performance in 2013

- Report shows Canadian savers on average managed to save approximately $9,200 in 2012

- The average total savings amongst Canadians is $122,310

- Report provides regional and demographic breakdowns on savings

- BMO Smart Saver account offers a 1.2 per cent interest rate - the highest rate offered among Canada's major financial institutions for a full-service savings account without minimum balance requirements

Super Bowl Indicator has predicted stock market trends almost 80 per cent of the time

- BMO experts available to provide investing strategies for RRSP season...and beyond

Sixteen BMO mutual funds and ETFs awarded Fundata FundGrade A+ Rating

Program available for families and teachers to help youth better understand money matters in their lives

- April 17 is the first annual "Talk With Our Kids About Money Day"

- The new program provides resources for teachers and families to help start and continue conversations on money matters on the "Day" - and beyond

- Interactive contests for families, kids, teachers, and students focusing on teaching kids about money

- BMO to support the program through branches in Quebec and across Canada

- Program to be launched in schools in metropolitan areas of Montreal and Toronto - expanding across Canada over the next three years

- CFEE launch to be attended by CFEE Board Chair Olier Caron, Quebec BMO President L. Jacques Menard, the Chair and CEO of the Grande Bibliotheque et Archives nationales du Quebec Guy Berthiaume as well as teachers, students and parents

- Forty per cent of Canadians likely to start their own business in retirement

- Top reasons to start a business in retirement include additional income, staying mentally sharp and using it as a hobby

- Retirement savings identified as top funding source for starting new businesses

BMO opens new private banking offices, eyes growth opportunities in Asia

- BMO's private banking business in Asia will be part of BMO's Private Client Group, providing private banking services to high-net-worth individuals in the Asia-Pacific region

- Will introduce broader scope of services to give clients a more integrated and more flexible range of financial products and service offerings

- Supports plans to create a truly global service for wealthy individuals looking to manage their investments across Asia and North America

- Will leverage BMO's strength and differentiate it through its capability for connecting Asia Pacific and North America

- BMO accounted for 40 per cent of total 2012 Canadian ETF industry inflows

- BMO ETF assets up 130 per cent in 2012; attracted $5 billion in net new assets

- BMO S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (ZCN) top ETF industry fund with $813 million in asset inflow

- BMO's extensive ETF line-up has grown to 48 funds in under four years

- Program to be launched in schools in metropolitan areas of Toronto and Montreal - expanding across Canada over the next three years

- CFEE launch attended by Minister of State Ted Menzies and Toronto area school officials

- Program to be launched in schools in metropolitan areas of Toronto and Montreal - expanding across Canada over the next three years

- CFEE launch attended by Minister of State Ted Menzies and Toronto area school officials

- Ontario's icewine grape harvest expected to increase by 50 per cent

- BMO Economics forecasts higher sales and exports

- Overall consumption of wine is up - Canadian adults purchase an average of 22 bottles annually vs. 13 bottles in 1995

- Award-winning mutual fund business grew by 19.4 percent in 2012

- Global reach, regional expertise and boutique-style approach favored by individual and institutional clients

- Six new innovative funds launched to help U.S. investors help diversify their portfolios and achieve financial goals

- Yonge and Wellington branch was the first BMO branch to open in Aurora

- As the RRSP contribution deadline approaches, Canadians of all ages should review their portfolios to ensure they align with their retirement goals

- BMO SelectClass(R) funds offer four portfolios with varying risk levels to help suit the needs of investors at various life stages

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

- Program to be launched in schools in metropolitan areas of Toronto and Montreal - expanding across Canada over the next three years

- CFEE launch to be attended by Minister of State Ted Menzies and Toronto area school officials

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

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in seven different languages

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays and Sundays

- Grand opening celebration features great prizes and a gourmet brunch

- Largest BMO donation in B.C. outside Lower Mainland

- BMO Financial Group receives naming of BMO Student Street at TRU

- U.S. housing starts outpace expectations by wide margin in December

- December U.S. housing starts up 12.1 per cent, Midwest up 24.7 per cent

- Energy sector remains critical driver of growth

- Jobless rate is lowest in Canada

- Real GDP growth of 2.7 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Employment up 1.7 per cent in 2012

- Solid growth for resources, financial services

- Real GDP growth of 2.2 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Shipbuilding activity to support medium-term growth

- Output from Deep Panuke and Sable to support growth late in the year

- Real GDP growth of 1.8 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Export sector showing improvement

- Real GDP growth of 1.5 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Double-digit growth in oil production expected in fiscal 2012/2013

- Farmers benefiting from high prices

- Real GDP growth of 2.6 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Auto manufacturers investing in Ontario, including Toyota with Woodstock assembly plant

- Housing market continuing to soften

- Real GDP growth of 1.7 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Jobless rate at 7.3 per cent in December, down from high of 8.7 per cent a year earlier

- 1.3 per cent growth expected in 2013 (Canada's economy expected to grow by 1.7 per cent)

- Jobless rate near a record low

- Real GDP growth of 4.5 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Exports should benefit from U.S. growth

- Project completions should mean higher output

- Real GDP growth of 1.6 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Above-average growth

- Continued momentum in energy and mining

- Third-lowest jobless rate in Canada

- Real GDP growth of 2.2 per cent expected in 2013 (Canada's expected to be 1.7 per cent)

- Projected national growth of 1.7 per cent in 2013

- Newfoundland & Labrador to lead the country with 4.5 per cent growth this year

- Resource sector continues to fuel growth in Western Canada

- U.S. recovery to create momentum in Central Canada

- More than 40 per cent of Canadians would choose to invest extra money in a TFSA; 37 per cent in an RRSP

- Tax-free nature and anytime withdrawal from a TFSA seen as biggest benefits

- TFSAs and RRSPs can work together to help investors achieve their financial goals

- BMO offers limited time TFSA and RRSP promotions to encourage Canadians to save and invest for their future

- More than 40 per cent of Canadians would choose to invest extra money in a TFSA; 37 per cent in an RRSP

- Tax-free nature and anytime withdrawal from a TFSA seen as biggest benefits

- TFSAs and RRSPs can work together to help investors achieve their financial goals

- BMO offers limited time TFSA and RRSP promotions to encourage Canadians to save and invest for their future