Forwards and Futures
Contractual agreements to either buy or sell a specified amount of a currency, commodity or security at a specific price and date in the future. Forwards are customized contracts transacted in the over-the-counter market. Futures are transacted in standardized amounts on regulated exchanges and are subject to daily cash margining.
General Allowance
We maintain a general allowance in order to cover any impairment in the existing portfolio that cannot yet be associated with specific loans. Our approach to establishing and maintaining the general allowance is based on the guideline issued by our regulator, the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada.
Hedging
A risk management technique used to neutralize or manage interest rate, foreign currency, equity, commodity or credit exposures arising from normal banking activities.
Impaired Loans
Loans for which there is no longer reasonable assurance of the timely collection of principal or interest.
Innovative Tier 1 Capital
OSFI allows banks to issue instruments that qualify as “Innovative” Tier 1 capital. In order to qualify, these instruments have to be issued indirectly through a special purpose vehicle, be permanent in nature and receive acceptable accounting treatment. Innovative Tier 1 capital cannot comprise more than 20% of net Tier 1 capital, at time of issue, with 15% qualifying as Tier 1 capital and the additional 5% included in total capital.
Issuer Risk
Measures the adverse impact of credit spread, credit migration and default risks on the market value of non-sovereign fixed income instruments and similar securities. Issuer risk is measured at a 99% confidence level over an appropriate holding period.
Liquidity and Funding Risk
The potential for loss if BMO is unable to meet financial commitments in a timely manner at reasonable prices as they fall due. Financial commitments include liabilities to depositors and suppliers, and lending, investment and pledging commitments.
Mark-to-Market
Represents valuation of securities and derivatives held for trading purposes at market rates as of the balance sheet date, where required by accounting rules.
Market Risk
The potential for a negative impact on the balance sheet and/or income statement resulting from adverse changes in the value of financial instruments as a result of changes in certain market variables. These variables include interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity or commodity prices and their implied volatilities, as well as credit spreads, credit migration and default.
Market Value Exposure (MVE)
A measure of the adverse impact of changes in market parameters on the market value of a portfolio of assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet positions, measured at a 99% confidence level over a specified holding period. The holding period considers current market conditions and composition of the portfolios to determine how long it would take to neutralize the market risk without adversely affecting market prices. For trading and underwriting activities, MVE is comprised of VaR and Issuer Risk.
Net Economic Profit (NEP)
Represents cash net income available to common shareholders, less a charge for capital. NEP is an effective measure of economic value added. NEP is a non-GAAP measure.
Net Interest Income
Comprised of earnings on assets, such as loans and securities, including interest and dividend income and BMO’s share of income from investments accounted for using the equity method of accounting, less interest expense paid on liabilities, such as deposits.
Net Interest Margin
The ratio of net interest income to average assets, expressed as a percentage or in basis points.
Notional Amount
The principal used to calculate interest and other payments under derivative contracts. The principal amount does not change hands under the terms of a derivative contract, except in the case of cross-currency swaps.
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