BMO brings clarity to financial decisions for small businesses and provides $1 billion in lending

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CALGARY, AB, December 15, 2009 – BMO Bank of Montreal today announced the appointment of Bill Hogg as Vice-President, Commercial Banking for Alberta and the Northwest Territories (NWT). This is a new position dedicated to commercial clients and was created to address the specific needs of the business sector.

Mr. Hogg will assume leadership of a team of experienced small- and medium-sized business and mid-market business account managers and support staff. These 185 financial professionals serve customers through BMO’s network of 97 branches in Alberta and NWT.

Mr. Hogg holds an MBA in Financial Services from Dalhousie University and is a Fellow from the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He has more than 34 years experience with BMO, occupying various management positions. Most recently, he was Director of Commercial Banking in Greater Vancouver for the mid-market segment. He was instrumental in building the team and helping BMO’s B.C. Division become number one in the country for commercial revenue growth and the market share leader in British Columbia in the $1 million to $5 million loan segment. Together with his team, he will be accountable for improving commercial business results throughout Alberta, with a focus on building customer loyalty and increasing market share for BMO.

“Throughout his career, Bill has demonstrated a commitment to customer service while leading his teams to superior performance,” said Robert Hayes, Senior Vice-President, Prairies Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. “Bill’s deep commercial experience and proven track record make him an ideal leader for this new commercial banking position,” added Mr. Hayes.

“My commercial colleagues and I look forward to helping public companies, entrepreneurs, financial officers and business leaders achieve their financial objectives while contributing to Alberta and NWT’s economic growth,” said Mr. Hogg. “In addition, BMO recently announced that it was making available an additional $1 billion in financing for small businesses across the country.”

BMO is the second leading small business lender in Canada, with a market share of 20 per cent. BMO provided small business financing (loans up to $250,000) to 25,920 firms in Alberta in 2008.

Alberta’s large and small urban communities are national “hotbeds” for small business growth and activity, according to the Canada’s Small Business Juggernaut report released in October by BMO’s Economics department. Of note was the strong showing in small business growth by communities in the Calgary to Edmonton corridor from 2004 to 2009.

Alberta boasts two leading large city “Hotbeds” as Calgary (2^nd) and Edmonton (4^th) placed high in Canada-wide rankings for the intensity of small business activity. Among Canada’s leading smaller urban centres is an impressive list of Alberta cities – Lloydminster, Canmore, Camrose, Okotoks, Grand Prairie and Brooks – claimed top ten spots.

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