Award recognizes best-in-class Canadian organizations for having cultures that help enhance performance and sustain a competitive advantage.

TORONTO, Nov. 21, 2024 /CNW/ - For the third time, BMO has been named one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ by Waterstone Human Capital, a leading executive search firm specializing in recruitment and talent management.

This award recognizes best-in-class Canadian organizations for having cultures that help them enhance performance and sustain a competitive advantage. It is presented annually to companies that: demonstrate exemplary performance in vision and leadership; recruitment and hiring for fit; cultural alignment and measurement; retention; rewards and recognition; organizational performance; and corporate social responsibility.

TORONTO, Nov. 20, 2024 /CNW/ - BMO Asset Management Inc., as manager of the BMO ETFs, and BMO Investments Inc., as manager of the BMO Mutual Funds, today announced the November 2024 cash distributions for unitholders of BMO ETFs and unitholders of ETF Series units of the BMO Mutual Funds (ETF Series) that distribute monthly, as set out in the table below. Unitholders of record of the BMO ETFs and ETF Series at the close of business on November 27, 2024 will receive cash distributions payable on December 3, 2024.

TORONTO, Nov. 19, 2024 /CNW/ - BMO today announced it has received five Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards from The Digital Banker for its leadership in digital innovation, customer experience and delivery excellence.

Outstanding Staff Training, Learning & Development Program Award: Created at BMO's Agile Center of Excellence, the Digital Agile Learning and Development Program was established to strengthen employees' skills and competencies for agile-specific roles to enable digital delivery at scale with quality and pace.Digital Lending Product of the Year Award: BMO PaySmart is a low-credit solution that has helped Canadians access a flexible tool to turn credit card purchases into equal monthly payments, enhancing their ability to manage cash flow and gain better understanding of their spending. Since its launch, PaySmart has empowered customers with clear insights into their spending habits and progress to achieve their goals.Best Payments Innovation Award: BMO SplitShare allows customers to split expenses between their Interac e-Transfer® contacts seamlessly and efficiently. Customers can share costs with anyone registered for Interac e-Transfer regardless of where they bank, providing a convenient one-stop solution.Outstanding Customer Service Innovation by a Retail Bank Award: BMO Digital Card Controls Suite is a quick solution for customers facing pressing issues such as a lost wallet, damaged cards, or forgotten PINs. Customers are empowered with the hassle-free option of not having to call or visit a branch.Best Gen-AI Retail Operations Initiative Award: A large language model (LLM) powered tool created in partnership with Deloitte, BMO Customer Feedback Assist helps employees save time by summarizing and categorizing feedback obtained from customer reviews to address emerging issues and trends. Taking elements of a traditional dashboard and adding LLM powered data, this cohesive solution improves employees' workflow to achieve customer satisfaction.

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2024 /CNW/ - BMO Financial Group will announce its fourth quarter 2024 financial results and hold its investor community conference call on December 5th, 2024. Financial results will be issued in a news release at approximately 6:00 a.m. ET.       

Investor Community Conference Call

Time: 8:30 a.m. ETThe conference call will be available in a listen-only mode:via telephone at 1-800-806-5484 or 416-340-2217 (Toronto area), Passcode: 9768240#via the Internet at https://www.bmo.com/home/about/banking/investor-relations/financial-information/quarterly-results

TORONTO, Oct. 29, 2024 /CNW/ -Bank of Montreal today announced the appointment of Diane Cooper and Brian McManus to its Board of Directors.

"We are pleased to welcome Diane and Brian to the Board of Directors," said George Cope, Chair of the Board. "They each bring significant skills and experience and will be a valuable addition to our board."

Ms. Cooper was formerly President and CEO of GE Capital's Commercial Distribution business and an officer of GE Company. She also led the GE Capital Equipment Finance and Franchise Finance businesses and previously held senior roles in Franchise Finance, Real Estate and Consumer Finance at GE. Ms. Cooper currently serves as a Board Member and Risk Oversight and Capital Committee Chair at BMO's U.S. subsidiary, BMO Financial Corp.; Board Member at BMO Bank N.A.; and Board Member and Risk Committee Chair at StoneX Group. Ms. Cooper holds a B.A. in Business and an M.B.A. from Baker University. 

TORONTO, Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -Bank of Montreal today announced the appointment of Diane Cooper and Brian McManus to its Board of Directors.

"We are pleased to welcome Diane and Brian to the Board of Directors," said George Cope, Chair of the Board. "They each bring significant skills and experience and will be a valuable addition to our board."

Ms. Cooper was formerly President and CEO of GE Capital's Commercial Distribution business and an officer of GE Company. She also led the GE Capital Equipment Finance and Franchise Finance businesses and previously held senior roles in Franchise Finance, Real Estate and Consumer Finance at GE. Ms. Cooper currently serves as a Board Member and Risk Oversight and Capital Committee Chair at BMO's U.S. subsidiary, BMO Financial Corp.; Board Member at BMO Bank N.A.; and Board Member and Risk Committee Chair at StoneX Group. Ms. Cooper holds a B.A. in Business and an M.B.A. from Baker University. 

79% plan on cutting back on spending during the holiday seasonOver half (54%) say thinking about holiday spending causes financial anxietyDespite plans to scale-back their holiday spend, 63% plan on giving back during the holiday season

TORONTO, Oct. 24, 2024 /CNW/ - The BMO Real Financial Progress Index reveals that – amid growing concerns about the cost of living (54%) and their overall financial situation (36%) – 79% of Canadians are planning to cut back on spending this holiday season. The survey's insights provide an outlook on Canadians' holiday spending plans, including:

TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2024 /CNW/ - BMO Bank of Montreal today announced that it is decreasing its CDN$ prime lending rate from 6.45 per cent to 5.95 per cent, effective October 24, 2024.

About BMO Financial Group BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.4 trillion as of July 31, 2024. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society. 

TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2024 /CNW/ - BMO Asset Management Inc., as manager of the BMO ETFs, and BMO Investments Inc., as manager of the BMO Mutual Funds, today announced the October 2024 cash distributions for unitholders of BMO ETFs and unitholders of ETF Series units of the BMO Mutual Funds (ETF Series) that distribute monthly, as set out in the table below. Unitholders of record of the BMO ETFs and ETF Series at the close of business on October 30, 2024 will receive cash distributions payable on November 4, 2024.

CHICAGO, Oct. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - BMO today announced its support for customers and communities impacted by Hurricane Milton. BMO supports the American Red Cross with an annual corporate donation for its ongoing relief and resiliency work which includes its response to affected communities following Hurricane Milton. The bank is also offering disaster relief options to support customers impacted by the events.

"Hurricane Milton has taken a heavy toll on Florida, and our thoughts are with everyone affected," said Darrel Hackett, President & CEO, BMO Bank. "We are fully committed to providing relief and support to help our customers, colleagues, and communities recover from this devastating storm."

TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2024 /CNW/ - BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. ("BMO Nesbitt Burns") today announced that on October 10, 2024, it reduced its holdings of High Liner Foods Incorporated (the "Company") by 800,000 common shares ("Common Shares"), representing approximately 2.67% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange at a price of $13.60 per Common Share for aggregate gross proceeds of $10,880,000 (the "Disposition").

TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2024 /CNW/ - Bank of Montreal (the "Bank") (TSX: BMO)(NYSE: BMO) today announced its intention to redeem all of its 12,000,000 outstanding Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset Class B Preferred Shares, Series 31 (Non-Viability Contingent Capital (NVCC)) (the "Preferred Shares Series 31") (TSX: BMO.PR.W) for an aggregate total of $300 million on November 25, 2024. The redemption has been approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.

The Preferred Shares Series 31 are redeemable at the Bank's option on November 25, 2024 (the "Redemption Date") at a redemption price of $25.00 per share. Payment of the redemption price will be made by the Bank on the Redemption Date.

TORONTO and CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2024 /CNW/ - BMO today announced the appointment of Kristin Milchanowski as its new Chief Artificial Intelligence and Data Officer, effective October 15, 2024.

Kristin will drive BMO's Artificial Intelligence (AI), data, analytics, and robotics strategies and supporting technologies, championing a transformative AI roadmap that optimizes and enhances business value. Additionally, she will focus on data management and data governance across the organization, deepening the bank's robust and established culture of innovation and accountability.

TORONTO and CHICAGO, Oct. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - BMO today announced the appointment of Kristin Milchanowski as its new Chief Artificial Intelligence and Data Officer, effective October 15, 2024.

Kristin will drive BMO's Artificial Intelligence (AI), data, analytics, and robotics strategies and supporting technologies, championing a transformative AI roadmap that optimizes and enhances business value. Additionally, she will focus on data management and data governance across the organization, deepening the bank's robust and established culture of innovation and accountability.

A total of ten $10,000 grants awarded to help women-owned businesses make real financial progress. 

TORONTO, Oct. 2, 2024 /CNW/ - BMO, in collaboration with Deloitte Canada, today announced the 2024 recipients of its Celebrating Women Grant Program. For the fourth consecutive year, BMO awarded $100,000 in grants to ten Canadian women-owned businesses – empowering them to make real financial progress.

"Women-owned businesses continue to drive change in their industries and BMO is committed to helping power their progress," said Sharon Haward-Laird, General Counsel, BMO, and Executive Sponsor of BMO for Women. "By supporting women-owned businesses, we advance economic growth, innovation and sustainable initiatives. Each of these impressive recipients demonstrated a commitment to driving economic impact and contributing to their communities."

The program provides immersive support sponsorship, empowering women founders to scale their fintech companies and break barriers in financial services.Since its launch in 2018, WMNfintech graduates have raised over $35 million in capital and created more than 200 jobs.The 2024 cohort addresses pressing challenges in cybersecurity, financial wellness, AI, operational efficiency and digital transformation, showcasing the impact of women-led innovation.

CHICAGO, Sept. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - BMO and 1871, a nonprofit global innovation hub, are today celebrating five women founders who have immersed themselves in the rigorous WMNfintech program over the past three months. The cohort received coaching, access to industry insights, and the value of BMO and 1871's powerful innovation ecosystem. Their efforts culminated in the acceleration of their business growth and the creation of solutions that will drive financial inclusion and solve key industry challenges.

TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2024 /CNW/ - BMO Asset Management Inc., as manager of the BMO ETFs, and BMO Investments Inc., as manager of the BMO Mutual Funds, today announced the September 2024 cash and reinvested distributions for unitholders of BMO ETFs and unitholders of ETF Series units of the BMO Mutual Funds (ETF Series) that distribute monthly and quarterly, as set out in the tables below. Unitholders of record of the BMO ETFs and ETF Series at the close of business on September 27, 2024 will receive cash distributions payable on October 2, 2024.

CHICAGO, Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - BMO today announced that it is decreasing its US$ prime lending rate from 8.50 percent to 8.00 percent, effective September 19, 2024.

About BMO Financial Group 

BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.4 trillion as of July 31, 2024. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society. 

TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2024 /CNW/ - BMO Insurance is refreshing its flagship whole life insurance product to provide greater protection and more value for policyholders with no change to the premium.

Whole life insurance plans offer permanent life insurance protection with fixed level premiums which are payable for a given number of years, while offsetting the impact taxes could have on overall estate values. This type of insurance can also be ideal as a source of funds for heirs to cover final expenses, offset taxes or leave a financial gift to a charity.

TORONTO and CHICAGO, Sept. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - BMO Financial Group (TSX: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) announced today that the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed a prior jury verdict and instructed the district court to enter judgement in favour of BMO's U.S. subsidiary, BMO Bank National Association. The lawsuit related to a Ponzi scheme carried out by Thomas J. Petters and certain affiliated individuals and entities (collectively, Petters) that operated a deposit account at a predecessor bank, M&I Marshall and Ilsley Bank.