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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Operational Risk The potential for loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes or systems, human error or external events not related to credit, market or liquidity risks. Operational risk includes fiduciary risk, legal risk and business risk due to operational failure, but excludes business risks of a strategic nature such as business risk due to earnings volatility.
Options Contractual agreements that convey to the buyer the right but not the obligation to either buy or sell a specified amount of a currency, commodity or security at a fixed future date or at any time within a fixed future period.
Productivity Ratio (see Expense-to-Revenue Ratio)
Provision for Credit Losses A charge to income that represents an amount deemed adequate by management to fully provide for impairment in loans and acceptances and other credit instruments, given the composition of the portfolios, the probability of default, the economic environment and the allowance for credit losses already established.
Regulatory Capital Ratios The percentage of risk-weighted assets supported by capital, as defined by OSFI under the framework of risk-based capital standards developed by the Bank for International Settlements. These ratios are labeled Tier 1 and Total. Tier 1 capital is considered to be more permanent, consisting of common shares together with any qualifying non-cumulative preferred shares, less unamortized goodwill. Tier 2 capital consists of other preferred shares, subordinated debentures and the general allowance, within prescribed limits. The assets-to-capital multiple is defined as assets plus guarantees and letters of credit, net of specified deductions (or adjusted assets), divided by total capital.
Reputation Risk The risk of negative impacts resulting from the deterioration of BMO's reputation with key stakeholders. These impacts include revenue loss, reductions in our customer/client base, costly litigation, regulatory sanctions and declines in BMO's share price.
Return on Equity (ROE) Calculated as net income, less preferred dividends, as a percentage of average common shareholders' equity. Common shareholders' equity is comprised of common share capital, contributed surplus, net unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss) and retained earnings.
Securities Purchased under Resale Agreements Result from transactions that involve the purchase of a security, normally a government bond, with the commitment by the buyer to resell the security to the original seller at a specified price on a specified date in the future. They represent low-cost, low-risk loans.
Securities Sold under Repurchase Agreements Result from transactions in which a security is sold with the commitment by the seller to repurchase the security at a specified price on specified date in the future. They provide lowcost funding.
Specific Allowances These allowances are recorded for specific loans to reduce their book value to the amount we expect to recover. We review our loans and acceptances, other than consumer instalment and credit card loans (which are written off when certain conditions exist, as discussed under impaired loans), on an ongoing basis to assess whether any loans should be classified as impaired and whether an allowance or write-off should be recorded. Our review of problem loans is conducted at least quarterly by our account managers, who assess the ultimate collectibility and estimated recoveries on a specific loan based on all events and conditions that the manager believes are relevant to the condition of the loan. This assessment is then reviewed and concurred with by an independent credit officer.
Swaps Contractual agreements between two parties to exchange a series of cash flows.
