Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. It operates through four segments: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, U.S. Banking, Wealth Management, and Capital Markets. The company offers retail and commercial banking products, wealth management and advisory services, insurance products, and capital markets services including debt and equity capital-raising, mergers and acquisitions advice, and risk management solutions. Founded in 1817, it is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
BMO Invests in Radical Ventures' Radical Breakouts Fund for AI Scale-Up
BMO has made a strategic investment in the Radical Breakouts Fund, a new venture capital strategy from Radical Ventures focused on supporting high-growth AI companies as they scale into global leaders. The Radical Breakouts Fund announced it has secured more than US$1 billion in commitments from leading institutional investors and is designed to provide late-stage capital to innovative AI companies during critical stages of growth. BMO plans to mobilize up to $70 billion in new capital for sectors critical to Canadian economic security and resilience over 10 years, including AI computing. "Canada has the talent and the resources to be an innovation leader across the board, from discovery to commercialization and adoption – helping to build the next era of world-class companies and the technologies that power them," said Darryl White, Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of July 31, 2026.
Lululemon North America Comparable Sales Fall 12% as BMO Cuts to Underperform
Lululemon's North America comparable sales fell 12% year over year in the second quarter of 2026 while net revenue in the region dropped 8%, prompting BMO Capital Markets to slap an underperform rating on the stock with a $70 price target. On a Sept. 9 earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Meghan Frank said a shift in customer demand from tighter athletic wear to looser fits drove a 20% decline in leggings sales, compounded by negative media and social commentary that hurt traffic and softer-than-planned responses to new product launches. BMO analyst Kelly Crago wrote that Lululemon's irrelevance with the consumer is showing up in the numbers, and said the company is losing market share across the Americas and China to smaller rivals Alo Yoga and Vuori; Lululemon's market share dipped 10 percentage points to 43.9% in August, while Alo Yoga and Vuori gained 5.9 percentage points and 2.2 percentage points respectively, according to a Reuters report citing M Science data. The BMO downgrade followed BofA Global Research's Sept. 4 cut of its price objective on Lululemon from $140 to $122, with analyst Lorraine Hutchinson maintaining a neutral rating while trimming her earnings-per-share forecast by 13% for fiscal year 2026 and 31% for fiscal year 2027. Lululemon is betting its turnaround on looser-fitting styles such as the Groove Wide-Leg and Align Foldover Jogger, new cold-weather outerwear, fewer SKUs, and increased marketing, while planning to raise markdowns by roughly 60 basis points in the third quarter; the company expects U.S. revenue to be down in the low double digits for the full year of 2026, and new CEO Heidi O'Neill, who took over on Sept. 8, will review the strategy.
BMO to Mobilize Up to $70 Billion for Critical Canadian Sectors Over 10 Years
BMO announced it plans to mobilize up to $70 billion in new capital over 10 years for sectors critical to Canada's economic security and resilience. The commitment, described by the bank as Canada's first, targets electricity infrastructure including generation, transmission and distribution, energy infrastructure such as pipelines, transportation infrastructure including roads, airports and terminals, mining and critical minerals, AI computing, defence and security, and oil and gas. Chief Executive Officer Darryl White said the initiative builds on more than 200 years of financing Canadian growth, dating to 1817, and that the opportunities in these sectors represent the latest chapter in that story. The capital is expected to take the form of bank financing, debt capital markets activity and the raising of public equity, and reflects expected demand from initiatives proposed to Canada's Major Projects Office, projects supporting Canada's National Electricity Strategy, the Trilateral MOU among the Federal Government, the Province of Alberta and the Oil Sands Alliance, Canadian Sovereign AI initiatives, and proprietary BMO analysis for the defence and oil and gas sectors. BMO said it authorized nearly $300 billion in lending to over 270,000 Canadian businesses and organizations in 2025, invested approximately $3.4 billion in Canadian companies and innovation ecosystems, and has more than 30,000 employees across Canada.
Canada freezes bank capital buffer at 3% until mid-2028
Canada's financial regulator, OSFI, announced it will keep the Domestic Stability Buffer requirement at 3% throughout the tenure of the current superintendent. Peter Routledge, Canada's superintendent of financial institutions, confirmed during a conference hosted by Bank of Nova Scotia that the 3% level will remain unchanged until June 2028, when his term ends. This follows OSFI's reduction of the buffer by 0.50 percentage points, or 50 basis points, to 3% last June, the first change in three years. Currently, Canada's largest banks must maintain a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of at least 11% of risk-weighted assets, and the country's six largest banks hold capital comfortably above that minimum. Routledge said OSFI has not imposed restrictions on how banks may use excess capital, unlike during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the regulator limited dividend payments and share buybacks. Several executives of major banks attending the conference said their approach to deploying capital going forward will prioritize organic growth first, followed by share buybacks, rather than large acquisitions. Scott Thomson, chief executive officer of Scotiabank, said organic growth comes first and buybacks second, while Raymond Chun, chief executive officer of Toronto-Dominion Bank, said the bank has strong potential to run a high level of share buyback programs. Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Montreal also said they plan to continue returning excess capital to shareholders through share buybacks.
South Pacific Metals Announces Equity Offering Up to C$15 Million
South Pacific Metals Corp. has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of agents led by BMO Capital Markets as sole bookrunner, along with Paradigm Capital Inc. and Velocity Capital Partners, to market a best-efforts private placement of up to C$15 million in units, each consisting of one common share and one warrant, at an indicative price of C$0.83 per unit. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at C$1.40 for 24 months, with an acceleration clause if the share price exceeds C$1.80 for 20 consecutive trading days after 12 months. The agents also have an option to purchase up to an additional C$5 million in units. The company plans to use the net proceeds to expand exploration activities and for general corporate purposes. The offering is expected to close on or about September 23, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals including the TSX Venture Exchange.
BMO closes sale of 138 branches to First-Citizens Bank
BMO Financial Group has closed the sale of 138 branch locations to First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, a deal first disclosed in October last year. The branches are in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Idaho, along with selected branches in Minnesota, Oregon, and Illinois. Under the agreement, First Citizens Bank is taking on about $5.7bn of deposit liabilities and purchasing roughly $1.1bn of loans. BMO said the disposal is part of its plan to adjust its US financial centre network and shift capital and resources towards markets with strong client engagement and long-term growth prospects. Earlier this year, BMO outlined plans to add more than 130 new sites across California and about 15 in Arizona, which would lift its California footprint by more than 50% as part of a multi-year strategy centred on Western US areas.
Bank of Montreal Wins Approval for 25 Million Share Buyback
Bank of Montreal has received regulatory approval for a new normal course issuer bid to repurchase up to 25 million common shares, representing roughly 3.6% of its share base. The buyback program is scheduled to run for one year beginning in September 2026, alongside an unchanged common dividend of $1.71 per share. The approval provides the bank with additional flexibility in capital allocation and future profit distribution decisions. Bank of Montreal, a large Canadian bank with a CA$166.3 billion market cap, offers diversified financial services across North America, and this repurchase authorization supports its existing yield while potentially reducing the share count. Investors will watch quarterly earnings per share and dividend decisions to assess the sustainability of the payout ratio as the buyback progresses.
BMO Reports Q3 EPS of $3.96, Up 22%, Announces New Buyback
BMO Financial Group reported third-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $3.96, up 22% year-over-year, with record pre-provision pretax earnings of $4.5 billion, up 13%, and announced a new normal course issuer bid for up to 25 million shares. The bank's return on equity improved to 14%, up 200 basis points, and it remains confident in achieving a 15% ROE by fiscal 2027. BMO also announced three strategic transactions to optimize its portfolio, including the sale of 138 U.S. branches, the transportation and vendor finance businesses, and Moneris Canada, which are expected to add 50 basis points to its CET1 ratio on closing. The bank's CET1 ratio stands at 13%, and it expects fourth-quarter impaired provisions to be in line with the third quarter.
BMO Asset Management Inc. has launched the BMO Asset-Backed Securities ETF, which began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the tickers ZABS, ZABS.F, and ZABS.U for its CAD, hedged, and USD units, respectively. The fund aims to provide income while preserving capital by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of asset-backed securities, including consumer and commercial ABS, collateralized loan obligations, and mortgage-backed securities. For the hedged units, the ETF will use derivatives to hedge foreign currency exposure. BMO Financial Group, the eighth largest bank in North America with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of July 31, 2026, manages the ETF through its asset management arm.
Bank of Montreal Reports Record Q3 2026 Adjusted EPS of $3.96
Bank of Montreal reported record adjusted earnings per share of $3.96 for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, up 22% year-over-year, with adjusted net income of $2.9 billion. Pre-provision pretax earnings rose 13% to $4.5 billion, with all four operating segments posting record results, and return on equity improved to 14%, up 200 basis points. The bank's CET1 ratio held at 13%, and it announced a new share buyback program while expecting a 50 basis point capital uplift from divestitures. Credit quality improved as impaired provisions hit their lowest level in 10 quarters, though total provisions for credit losses remained elevated at $722 million. Management expressed confidence in achieving a sustainable 15% return on equity by fiscal 2027, citing strong momentum in Capital Markets and Wealth Management.
Bank of Montreal Reports Record Adjusted Net Income in Third Quarter
Bank of Montreal reported strong adjusted third-quarter results, with adjusted earnings per share rising 22% year over year to C$3.96 and adjusted net income reaching a record C$2.9 billion. Reported results were reduced by a C$973 million charge tied largely to planned business divestitures. Revenue increased 11%, while Wealth Management net income rose 22% and Capital Markets net income surged 45%. The bank's CET1 ratio held at 13%, with planned asset sales expected to add roughly 50 basis points, and it proposed repurchasing up to 25 million shares.
Bank of Montreal CL B PFD 44 declares $0.426 dividend
Bank of Montreal CL B PFD 44 declared a quarterly dividend of $0.426 per share, in line with the previous payout. The dividend is payable on November 25 to shareholders of record on October 30, with the ex-dividend date also on October 30. The forward yield is 6.39%.
BMO trucking credit metrics strengthen in likely final report
BMO's transportation lending unit showed sharply improving credit metrics in its third-quarter earnings, likely the last such report before the bank sells the business to Stonepeak. Provisions for credit losses fell to $15 million from $41 million in the prior quarter and $50 million a year earlier, the lowest since the first quarter of 2023. Allowances for credit losses slid to $73 million from $86 million, while gross impaired loans dropped to $440 million from $576 million. Gross loans and acceptances for the transportation sector rose to $12.78 billion from $12.65 billion, though new originations collapsed to $11 million from $114 million as the bank prepares for the sale.
BMO Financial Group plans to repurchase up to 25 million common shares
Bank of Montreal announced its intention to repurchase for cancellation up to 25 million of its common shares under a normal course issuer bid, subject to approval from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada and the Toronto Stock Exchange. The bid would commence on or around September 8, 2026, and end September 7, 2027, unless terminated earlier. The shares represent approximately 3.6% of the public float as of July 31, 2026, which stood at 696,863,163 common shares. The bank said the program provides additional flexibility to manage its capital position.
Bank of Montreal declared a quarterly dividend of $1.71 per share on its common shares for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, unchanged from the prior quarter. The board also declared dividends on three series of preferred shares: $0.426 per share on Class B Preferred Shares Series 44, $36.865 per share on Class B Preferred Shares Series 50, and $35.285 per share on Class B Preferred Shares Series 52. The common share dividend is payable November 26, 2026, to shareholders of record on October 30, 2026, while the Series 44 dividend is payable November 25, 2026, and the Series 50 and 52 dividends are payable November 26, 2026, all to shareholders of record on October 30, 2026. All dividends are designated as eligible dividends for Canadian income tax purposes, and common shareholders may reinvest their cash dividends through the bank's dividend reinvestment plan without a discount.
BMO Financial is scheduled to announce its third quarter earnings results on Tuesday, August 25th, before market open. The consensus EPS estimate is $2.73, down 15.5% year over year, and the consensus revenue estimate is $7.1 billion, down 21.0% year over year. Over the last two years, BMO has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and revenue estimates 88% of the time. Over the last three months, EPS estimates have seen 6 upward revisions and 4 downward revisions, while revenue estimates have seen 3 upward revisions and 2 downward revisions.
Bank of Montreal Launches First U.S.-Listed 3× Leveraged Corporate Bond ETNs
Bank of Montreal has launched the first U.S.-listed 3× leveraged long and short exchange-traded notes tied to major high-yield and investment-grade corporate bond ETFs. The new ETNs expand the bank's toolkit for sophisticated fixed-income traders and reinforce its capital markets product innovation. The launch builds directly on BMO's fee-based growth catalyst by expanding non-interest income and deepening its presence in higher-margin capital markets activities. The bank also completed several fixed-rate, callable Eurobond note offerings across 2031–2041 maturities and declared regular August cash distributions for its ETFs and ETF series mutual funds. The developments appear incremental rather than transformative, with investors still focused on credit quality and expense growth as key risks.
Bank of Montreal agrees C$2 billion Moneris sale and joins tokenized deposit network
Bank of Montreal and Royal Bank of Canada agreed to sell their joint payments processor Moneris to Francisco Partners in a transaction valued at about C$2 billion. BMO expects the sale to result in an after-tax gain and a capital ratio improvement once the deal closes. Separately, BMO joined a consortium of banks working with The Clearing House on a shared tokenized deposit network for digital payments, an initiative intended to create interoperable rails that keep traditional bank deposits competitive with fintech and stablecoin offerings.
High Tide closes C$40 million senior secured credit facilities with BMO
High Tide Inc. has closed its previously announced senior secured credit facilities with Bank of Montreal in the aggregate principal amount of C$40 million. The new facilities consist of a C$25 million committed revolving credit facility with a three-year maturity and a C$15 million committed delayed-draw term loan intended to refinance existing second-lien debentures. A portion of the revolving facility was used to repay the company's outstanding C$6.0 million loan with ConnectFirst Credit Union, with the remaining capacity available for general working capital, permitted acquisitions, and investments. The new credit facilities are secured by substantially all assets of the company and certain subsidiaries and are subject to customary financial and other covenants.
BMO Launches Credit Stress Opportunities ETF on Toronto Stock Exchange
BMO Asset Management Inc. has launched the BMO Credit Stress Opportunities ETF, which closed its initial offering and began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the tickers ZCDX for Canadian dollar units and ZCDX.U for U.S. dollar units. The fund seeks to profit from deteriorating credit conditions in U.S. high yield corporate issuers by taking short positions on credit default index derivatives, primarily referencing the Markit CDX North America High Yield Index, while minimizing interest rate risk. It may also use swaps, options, and other derivatives to achieve its objectives. BMO warns that the ETF is suitable only for investors who can actively monitor credit spread movements and make tactical buy or sell decisions, and it is not appropriate for those who do not understand its strategies or risks.
Bank of Montreal's New Bond Issues Spark Valuation Debate
Bank of Montreal has been active in debt markets, announcing and completing several fixed income offerings with coupons around 5% across 2030 to 2036 maturities, including callable Eurobond and Eurodollar structures. The bank's share price has returned 39.44% year to date and 70.36% over the past year. The most followed narrative on Bank of Montreal places fair value at CA$228.61, compared with the last close of CA$253.24, framing the recent rally as about 10.8% overvalued. However, a discounted cash flow model from Simply Wall St estimates fair value at CA$254.35, leaving the stock roughly 0.4% below that level and effectively in line. The divergence hinges on whether investors find the analysts' earnings path or the cash flow path more convincing.
BMO sees more reasons for optimism in Canada by 2027
Bank of Montreal executives have shared an optimistic view on Canada's economic outlook heading toward 2027, highlighting potential implications for lending trends, investment appetite, and corporate planning. The commentary comes as BMO trades around CA$250.15, with returns of 9.1% over 30 days and 37.7% year to date. Recent eurobond and eurodollar offerings across 2030 to 2036 maturities at fixed coupons near 5% show BMO locking in term funding and spreading refinancing needs over several years. Analysts note that BMO's allowance for bad loans is relatively low at 73%, which could leave less room to absorb future credit losses if the economy weakens. The stock is assessed as trading about 1.5% below one estimate of fair value, with earnings forecast to grow 5.63% per year and a dividend yield of 2.73%.
Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation launches inaugural SGC Notes subscribed by BMO
Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation announced the inaugural issuance of its Secured General Collateral Notes program, subscribed by Bank of Montreal. The Series BMO-521 notes received a Prime-1 (sf) rating from Moody's Ratings. The Bank of Canada has added SGC Notes as eligible collateral under its Standing Liquidity Facility to support this new market. SGC Notes are short-term secured instruments collateralized by high-quality debt securities, accessible through The Canadian Depository for Securities. CDCC is working to onboard other eligible banks and dealers as underwriters via the Canadian Collateral Management Service.
BMO to acquire Euroz Hartleys' capital markets business to boost global metals and mining leadership
BMO Financial Group has agreed to acquire the Australia-based capital markets business of Euroz Hartleys Group, a metals and mining-focused advisory firm. The deal combines BMO's global metals and mining franchise with Euroz Hartleys' Australian equity distribution platform, creating an integrated capability across North America, Europe and Australia. Euroz Hartleys' private wealth business will remain independent and enter a strategic alliance with BMO. Approximately 40 Euroz Hartleys team members are expected to join BMO Capital Markets upon closing, which is anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Bank of Montreal Plans CA$1.00 Billion Subordinated Note Redemption and Launches New ETF Series
Bank of Montreal has announced plans to redeem CA$1.00 billion of subordinated notes in 2026 and launched new ETF Series units, including the BMO Market+ International Equity Fund. The bank was also recognized as Best Commercial Bank in Canada and the U.S., while its asset management arm terminated several ETFs and expanded its fixed-income lineup. These moves modestly expand fee-based revenue streams and complement the bank's core lending business. The investment narrative projects CA$41.9 billion revenue and CA$11.3 billion earnings by 2029, requiring 6.5% yearly revenue growth and an earnings increase of about CA$2.0 billion from CA$9.3 billion today. Community fair value estimates for the stock range from roughly CA$228.61 to CA$249.99, implying a potential 8% downside from the current price.
BMO Launches ETF Series of Market+ International Equity Fund on Cboe Canada
BMO Investments Inc. has launched ETF Series units of the BMO Market+ International Equity Fund, trading on Cboe Canada under the ticker ZMPI. The fund seeks long-term capital growth by investing primarily in equities of companies outside Canada and the United States or those with international exposure. The initial offering of ETF Series units has closed, and the units are now listed and trading on Cboe Canada. This launch broadens the suite of BMO Market+ ETF strategies, which aim to balance broad market efficiency with a systematic fundamental equity analysis model.
BMO named Best Commercial Bank in Canada and the U.S. by World Finance Magazine
BMO has been named Best Commercial Bank in Canada for the 12th consecutive year and Best Commercial Bank in the U.S. for the 4th consecutive year by World Finance Magazine. The 2026 World Finance Banking Awards recognize institutions demonstrating purpose, operational excellence, agility, strong client focus, and innovation. Christine Cooper, Head of BMO Commercial Bank in Canada, said the recognition reflects the strength of client relationships and consistent performance, while Tony Sciarrino, Head of BMO Commercial Bank in the U.S., highlighted continued momentum and deep client relationships. BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of 1.5 trillion dollars as of April 30, 2026.
Canadian bank stocks rise as regulator cuts domestic stability buffer to 3%
Canada's banking regulator lowered the capital requirement for the country's largest banks, sending Canadian bank stocks higher. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions reduced the domestic stability buffer to 3.0% from 3.5% of total risk-weighted assets, the first change since June 2023, effective immediately. The regulator also narrowed the buffer's range to 0% to 3% from 0% to 4%. The six largest banks hold an average Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 13.5%, well above the new supervisory expectation of 11.0%, representing a capital cushion of roughly $74 billion or an expansion in risk-weighted assets of $673 billion. Superintendent Peter Routledge said the move enables the banking sector to deploy excess capital in support of Canada's economic adaptation to new opportunities.
Bay Street May Open Weak on Bank Earnings and Oil Prices
Canadian shares may open on a weak note Tuesday as lower earnings from Bank of Montreal and Bank of Nova Scotia and weak crude oil prices weigh on sentiment. Bank of Montreal reported third-quarter adjusted net income of $1,981 million, down from $2,148 million a year ago, while Bank of Nova Scotia posted adjusted net income of $2,191 million, down from $2,207 million. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures fell 0.52% to $77.01 a barrel. The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose 0.3% to a record closing high of 23,348.97 on Monday.
High Tide Reports Record Q2 Revenue and Secures C$40 Million Credit Facilities
High Tide Inc. reported record second-quarter 2026 revenue of C$179.3 million, up from C$137.8 million a year earlier, and narrowed its quarterly net loss to C$0.197 million while achieving a six-month net income of C$1.01 million. The company also secured credit approval for new C$40 million senior secured facilities with Bank of Montreal, comprising a C$25 million revolver and a C$15 million delayed draw term loan, replacing its existing senior facility and second lien debentures. The Canna Cabana store network has surpassed 220 locations, and the new credit lines are intended to support continued expansion and refinancing. The investment narrative projects revenue of C$897.7 million and earnings of C$58.3 million by 2028, implying a fair value estimate of C$7.33 per share.
BMO Named Best Bank in North America, Western U.S. and Transaction Banking in North America by Global Finance
BMO has been recognized by Global Finance with three top honours: Best Bank in North America, Best Bank in the Western United States, and Best Bank for Transaction Banking in North America. The awards reflect BMO's strength across its North American platform, its leadership in treasury management, digital payments, artificial intelligence and liquidity solutions, and its progress in scaling digital capabilities and deepening client relationships. CEO Darryl White said the recognition reflects the bank's client commitment, the strength of its North American platform, and disciplined execution of its strategy, noting that AI adoption exceeds 96% across employees. U.S. CEO Darrel Hackett highlighted the momentum in key markets, while Group Head Sharon Haward-Laird emphasized the bank's focus on delivering smarter, faster and more connected treasury and payment solutions. BMO, the eighth largest bank in North America by assets with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of April 30, 2026, continues to invest in technology and innovation, embedding AI across client engagement, risk management and operations.
Fed Chair Warsh's Debut Spurs Surge in Rate-Hike Bets
Traders piled into betting on interest-rate hikes as soon as next month after Kevin Warsh used his debut press conference as Federal Reserve chairman to make clear the central bank won't tolerate high inflation. Two-year Treasury yields steadied on Thursday at around 4.17% after shooting up 13 basis points on Wednesday, the biggest jump since April 2025 and matching the largest increase on a Fed meeting day since 2008. Half of the individual Fed members' projections showed they expect to raise rates by the end of the year. Futures traders solidified expectations for a quarter-point rate hike by October, if not sooner, while 30-year Treasury yields slipped to the lowest since late April in a sign of faith that inflation will ultimately be contained. Warsh refused to deliver forward guidance, slashed the length of the Fed's statement, and declined to give a personal view on where rates are headed, with Evercore ISI's Krishna Guha saying Warsh regards market volatility as a price worth paying for the market to form an independent view of the appropriate rate path.
BMO Private Investment Counsel Announces Sub-Advisor Change for U.S. Equity Portfolio
BMO Private Investment Counsel Inc. has announced a sub-advisor change for the BMO Private U.S. Equity Portfolio. Effective on or about August 21, 2026, BMO Asset Management Inc. will replace Vontobel Asset Management, Inc. as a sub-advisor for the portfolio. Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC will continue to act as a sub-advisor. The portfolio's fundamental investment objectives and investment risk rating will remain unchanged.
USA