BMO Capital Markets Named Best Foreign Exchange Bank in Canada

LONDON - BMO Capital Markets, the investment and corporate banking arm of BMO Financial Group (TSX, NYSE: BMO), has been named the best foreign exchange bank in Canada by European CEO Magazine.

“We congratulate BMO Capital Markets on this well-deserved achievement,” said Heléne Scholl, Editor, European CEO Magazine. “BMO Capital Markets’ win is attributed to its leadership and reputation as one of the top market makers in the Canadian dollar.

With FX professionals in Canada, the US, Europe and Asia, BMO Capital Markets is the dominant player in Canada in providing its clients with timely and knowledgeable currency advice needed to make qualified business decisions in the global FX marketplace,” Scholl added.

The European CEO awards panel used a wide range of criteria for voters to consider, such as innovation, originality and quality of products, as well as proof of market development and excellence in client representation.

“We are delighted that we have been recognised as the top foreign exchange bank in Canada,” said Jamie Thorsen, Global Head of Foreign Exchange Products, BMO Capital Markets. “This is a testament to our outstanding global sales, trading and structuring teams in delivering deep expertise to help clients with pricing in all major and minor currencies, so they can manage foreign exchange risk and tap into new opportunities,” Thorsen added.

BMO Capital Markets’ Foreign Exchange Group is a team of nearly 100 professionals based in eight cities around the world from Beijing to Chicago. The FX group holds a dominant position in the Canadian dollar foreign exchange market and is top-ranked by large hedge funds and pension funds for institutional liquidity and pricing capacity.

BMO’s Foreign Exchange Group trades in all major and other exotic currencies. The group offers clients a wide range of capabilities, including Canadian dollar market making; North American hedging; Chinese transactions; 24 hour trading; structured risk management solutions including derivatives, swaps and options, and real-time order monitoring and quotes. BMO has eight FX offices globally, including a foreign exchange sales and trading desk in London, which opened in 2007.

BMO Capital Markets is a member of BMO Financial Group, one of the largest diversified financial services providers in North America with $385bn total assets and 37,000 employees as at July 31, 2009.

Notes for editors:

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Source: European CEO

Michael McCaw, michael at wnmedia.com, +44(0)20-7-014-0370