BMO Capital Markets to Donate all North American Equity Trading Commissions
to Charities that Support Education

    
    BMO to host fifth annual Equity Through Education trading day today to
    promote diversity and education
    

TORONTO and NEW YORK, Sept. 23 /CNW/ - BMO Capital Markets is proud to once again donate all of the North American institutional equity commissions earned today to support nine organizations in Canada and the U.S. that seek to improve access to education and training for people across all diversity groups.

"This is one day of trading for a lifetime of opportunity," said Mike Miller , Head of Equity Products and Campaign Chair of the special trading day. "The generous contributions of the institutional investor community will go a long way in creating enormous opportunities for so many individuals, especially this year."

Since 2005, Equity Through Education has raised a total of CAD$ 6.6 million dollars (US$ 5.7 million), assisting more than 2,000 individuals who have directly benefited through scholarships, bursaries and other educational programs.

    
    To learn more about Equity Through Education visit
    http://www.bmocm.com/equitythrougheducation

    The nine charities that BMO Capital Markets supports through Equity
    Through Education are:
      -  Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation (CMSF)
      -  The Financial Women's Association
      -  Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (FAAY)
      -  The Jackie Robinson Foundation
      -  National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
      -  The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)
      -  The Pathways to Education Program
      -  YAI / National Institute for People With Disabilities Network
      -  Youth in Motion's Top 20 Under 20 Program
    

A photo of BMO Capital Markets opening the Toronto Stock Exchange to mark the launch of Equity Through Education will be available on Canada Newswire today at 9:45 a.m. (EDT ).

About BMO's Charitable Giving

Equity Through Education(R), is a charitable initiative launched by BMO Capital Markets in 2005 to help people realize their educational ambitions by giving them the means to pursue those goals.

For more than 190 years, BMO Financial Group has believed in reinvesting in the communities it serves. In 2008, BMO Financial Group contributed $55.9 million in donations, sponsorships and events in Canada and the United States to groups, organizations and programs that help build and sustain resilient, vital and healthy communities.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

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