| BMO Financial Group to Record Certain Charges and a MasterCard Gain in the Fourth Quarter TORONTO, November 16, 2007 – BMO Financial Group said today that it expects fourth quarter results (three months ended October 31, 2007) will include the following items:
These items will lower earnings per share in the fourth quarter by approximately 50 cents. BMO’s Tier 1 Capital Ratio remains strong. BMO is in the process of completing its review and final fourth quarter closing procedures. Accordingly, the above information is based on current estimates and is subject to change. BMO will release its fourth quarter and fiscal 2007 results on November 27, 2007. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is significant risk that predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections. We caution readers of this document not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements. The future outcomes that relate to forward-looking statements may be influenced by many factors, including but not limited to: general economic and market conditions in the countries in which we operate; interest rate and currency value fluctuations; changes in monetary policy; the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which we operate; changes in laws; judicial or regulatory proceedings; the accuracy and completeness of the information we obtain with respect to our customers and counterparties; our ability to execute our strategic plans and to complete and integrate acquisitions; critical accounting estimates; operational and infrastructure risks; general political conditions; global capital market activities; the possible effects on our business of war or terrorist activities; disease or illness that impacts on local, national or international economies; disruptions to public infrastructure, such as transportation, communications, power or water supply; and technological changes. We caution that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all possible factors. Other factors could adversely affect our results. For more information, please see the discussion on pages 28 and 29 of BMO’s 2006 Annual Report, which outlines in detail certain key factors that may affect BMO’s future results. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Bank of Montreal, investors and others should carefully consider these factors, as well as other uncertainties and potential events, and the inherent uncertainty of forward-looking statements. Bank of Montreal does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made, from time to time, by the organization or on its behalf. - 30 - Media Relations Contacts Ralph Marranca, Toronto, ralph.marranca@bmo.com,
416-867-3996 Investor Relations Contacts Viki Lazaris, Senior
Vice-President, viki.lazaris@bmo.com,
416-867-6656 |