BMO Capital Markets Named Best Foreign Exchange Bank in Canada

TORONTO , Sept. 23 /CNW/ - BMO Capital Markets, the investment and corporate banking arm of BMO Financial Group (TSX, NYSE: BMO), has been named the best foreign exchange bank in Canada by European CEO Magazine.

"We congratulate BMO Capital Markets on this well-deserved achievement," said Heléne Scholl, Editor-in-Chief, European CEO Magazine. "BMO Capital Markets' win is attributed to its leadership and reputation as one of the top market makers in the Canadian dollar.

"With FX professionals in Canada , the U.S., Europe and Asia, BMO Capital Markets is the dominant player in Canada in providing its clients with timely and knowledgeable currency advice needed to make qualified business decisions in the global FX marketplace," Scholl added.

The European CEO awards panel used a wide range of criteria for voters to consider, such as innovation, originality and quality of products, as well as proof of market development and excellence in client representation.

"We are delighted that we have been recognized as the top foreign exchange bank in Canada ," said Jamie Thorsen , Global Head of Foreign Exchange Products, BMO Capital Markets. "This is a testament to our outstanding global sales, trading and structuring teams in delivering deep expertise to help clients with pricing in all major and minor currencies, so they can manage foreign exchange risk and tap into new opportunities," Thorsen added.

BMO Capital Markets' Foreign Exchange Group is a team of nearly 100 professionals based in eight cities around the world from Beijing to Chicago . The FX group holds a dominant position in the Canadian-dollar foreign exchange market and is top-ranked by large hedge funds and pension funds for institutional liquidity and pricing capacity.

Earlier this year, BMO Capital Markets was voted best FX market-maker in a survey by the China Foreign Exchange Trade System (CFETS) and the Interbank Funding Centre. Global Finance Magazine also named BMO Capital Markets the Best Investment Bank in Canada in a 2008 survey.

BMO has a long history of foreign exchange expertise. Its first FX transaction took place in 1818 as part of a trade deal with China . "We've learned a lot over the past 190 years, most notably that no two clients are alike in their FX needs," said Firas Askari, Head of Foreign Exchange Trading, BMO Capital Markets. "We concentrate on working with our clients and earning their trust with knowledgeable service," added Askari.

BMO's Foreign Exchange Group trades in all major and other exotic currencies - 40 tradable currencies and exotics and over 100 currency pairs. The group offers clients a wide range of capabilities, including:

    
    -   Canadian-dollar market making
    -   North American hedging
    -   Chinese transactions
    -   24 hour trading
    -   Structured risk-management solutions including derivatives, swaps and
        options
    -   real-time order monitoring and quotes through its leading web-based
        platforms DirectLine(R) and eFXpedite
    

BMO has FX offices in eight cities globally, including a foreign exchange sales and trading desk in London , U.K., which opened in 2007. For more information, visit: www.bmocm.com/products/marketrisk/fx/.

About BMO Capital Markets

BMO Capital Markets is a leading full-service North American financial services provider, with over 2,400 employees operating in 14 North American offices and 26 worldwide, offering corporate, institutional and government clients access to a complete range of investment and corporate banking products and services. BMO Capital Markets is a member of BMO Financial Group (TSX, NYSE: BMO), one of the largest diversified financial services providers in North America with US$385 billion total assets and 37,000 employees as at July 31, 2009 .

About European CEO Magazine

European CEO is published by Tower Business Media. Tower Business Media is a leading publisher of quality financial and business magazines, enjoying a global distribution network that includes subscriber lists of the most prominent and senior decision-makers around the world, as well as comprehensive airport, hotel and conference site distribution. For further information, go to www.europeanceo.com, for the latest CEO profiles and financial commentary from around Europe .

For further information: Media Contacts: Kim Hanson, Toronto, [email protected], [phone]; Ronald Monet, Montréal, [email protected], [phone]; Laurie Grant, Vancouver, [email protected], [phone]; Internet: www.bmocm.com