Bank Of Montreal Stock Price, News & Analysis

BMO Financial Group will announce its fourth quarter and fiscal 2021 financial results on December 3, 2021, with the results released at 6:00 a.m. ET. An investor community conference call will follow at 8:00 a.m. ET, accessible via telephone and the internet. The presentation materials will be available online, and a rebroadcast of the call will be available until December 28, 2021. Investors can access all related materials through BMO's investor relations webpage.

BMO Financial Group (TSX: BMO) has finalized the sale of its EMEA Asset Management business to Ameriprise Financial, enhancing its focus on North American Wealth Management. This strategic move aims to optimize operational efficiency and allocate resources to areas with a competitive advantage. BMO, a major North American bank with total assets of $971 billion, continues to serve over 12 million customers across various financial services.

BMO Funds, Inc. announced the adjournment of its special joint meeting of shareholders originally set for November 8, 2021, to November 23, 2021. This decision allows shareholders additional time to consider the proposed reorganizations into Columbia Funds Series Trust and related series. The Board has recommended approval for these reorganizations, which were detailed in a combined proxy statement sent to shareholders prior to the meeting. The Corporation aims to ensure that all shareholders can thoroughly evaluate the proposals before voting.

BMO Financial Group announced key executive appointments to enhance its strategic priorities. Deland Kamanga will lead BMO Wealth Management, focusing on private and global asset management. Sharon Haward-Laird is appointed as Executive Committee Sponsor for Sustainability and Digital Currency. Dan Goldman and Levent Kahraman will serve as Co-Heads of Global Markets. All roles are effective November 1, 2021. BMO continues to leverage its strengths in wealth management and is recognized for excellence in various financial services, underscoring its commitment to growth and market leadership.

Lively, Inc. has raised $80 million in a Series C funding round, led by B Capital Group, bringing total funding to over $120 million. The company, known for its innovative health savings account (HSA) platform, has seen rapid growth, partnering with BMO Harris and exceeding $500 million in HSA assets. Lively aims to cross $1 billion in assets by early next year, positioning itself as the fastest-growing HSA provider in the market.

BMO Capital Markets, along with Citizens, MUFG, and New York Life, supports the Financial Women's Association's (FWA) Back2Business re-entry program, aimed at aiding individuals, particularly women, transitioning back into financial services after career breaks. This program highlights opportunities across various financial sectors and requires applicants to have a minimum of five years' experience and a break of at least 18 months. Selected participants will receive mentorship, resources, and support to reintegrate into the workforce, demonstrating BMO's commitment to inclusion and talent development.

BMO's latest report highlights severe agricultural challenges faced by North American farmers due to exceptionally hot and dry weather. Crop yields for wheat and canola are projected to hit multi-year lows, with Canadian canola yields expected 37% below trend. Despite these challenges, increasing crop and livestock prices driven by strong demand and tighter supply are seen as positive. However, farmers are also grappling with rising costs for inputs like fertilizer and feed. Overall, BMO maintains a positive long-term outlook for agriculture, seeing opportunities amidst difficulties.