News Releases

- 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

Pledge to Fund State-Of-The-Art Equipment at Royal Jubilee Hospital's New Patient Care Centre

- Douglas Porter, Andrew Busch, and Paul Taylor take a look back at 2011 and provide forecast for the year to come

- First bank to introduce RDSP recommends lifetime contribution limit increase to $500,000

- Proposes changes to 10-year rule for accessing funds

- Annual contribution deadline is December 31

- 57 per cent of employers will be hosting an employee holiday party

- 21 per cent of Canadians will be purchasing gifts for co-workers, and

- 6 per cent will be buying a gift just for their boss

- BMO Ultimate Fan contest for Windsor Spitfires will provide fans a chance to win a trip for two to the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup

- Community celebration to kick off four-year partnership with BMO

- Windsor one of 41 communities across Canada where local celebrations will take place

- December 31st deadlines loom for Canadians who want to minimize taxes on their investments

- BMO survey finds that three-quarters of Canadians don't consider tax implications when investing; 40 per cent are not confident they're taking advantage of all tax incentives

Schools, businesses and universities rally behind robotics to promote student success and engage youth in learning

- New BMO branch in the Aspen Landing Shopping Centre represents a $1.1 million investment into the community

- Offers customers extended banking hours, including Sundays

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in four languages

- New program offers simple and cost effective way to buy and hold physical gold

- Allows investors to hold gold in a custodial account or arrange for home delivery

- BMO to hold celebrations in 41 Canadian communities to kick off four-year partnership with the Canadian Hockey League

- BMO launches national Ultimate CHL Fan Contest, providing a lucky fan in each of the Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League a chance to win a trip for two to the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup

BMO study shows 80 per cent of Canadian households say the female head will do the majority of the holiday shopping.

- 43 per cent of women are shopping online this season (up from 34 per cent in 2010)

- 89 per cent of Canadian shoppers used a credit card to shop online last year

- Deadline for fee-free delivery of online orders is December 15

- New BMO branch represents a $1.2 million investment into the community

- 'Making Money Make Sense' in nine different languages

- Offering customers extended banking hours, including Saturdays and Sundays

- Celebration features complimentary hors d'oeuvres, prizes and donation presentation to the YWCA Edmonton

- Program helps farmers mitigate risk and manage cash flow

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

- 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 this year above the national average

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

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

- Almost three-quarters of Ontarians plan on contributing the same amount or more to their RRSP compared to last year

- 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

- 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 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

- 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 year

- 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 this year

- Almost half are either more optimistic or feel the same about financial markets this year compared to last year

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

- 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 year

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

- One-in-three lack confidence in their ability to save for retirement - twice as many as last 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 year compared to last year

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

- Growth rebounded in Q3, leading to growth of 2.3 per cent for 2011

- Resource-based provinces leading the way

- Growth of 2.0 per cent expected in 2012

Rory Buchalter Appointed Director and Senior Credit Analyst; Bobby Missar Joins Firm as Analyst

- Population growth tops 2 per cent year-over-year

- Real GDP growth of 1.7 per cent in 2011; 1.4 per cent in 2012 (Canada's at 2.3 per cent in 2011; 2.0 per cent in 2012)

- Housing starts to climb above 2010 levels: 68,000 in 2011 and 64,000 in 2012

- Robust condo construction continuing

- Real GDP growth of 2.1 per cent in 2011; 1.9 per cent in 2012 (Canada's at 2.3 per cent in 2011; 2.0 per cent in 2012)

- Irving shipbuilding contract worth $25 billion through 2030

- Natural gas exports to increase

- Real GDP growth of 1.6 per cent in 2011; 1.8 per cent in 2012 (Canada's at 2.3 per cent in 2011; 2.0 per cent in 2012)

- High oil prices strengthening energy sector and driving labour market

- Real GDP growth of 3.3 per cent in 2011; 2.8 per cent in 2012 (Canada's at 2.3 per cent in 2011; 2.0 per cent in 2012)