BMO Guardian Funds Launches New Mutual Fund Portfolios of Exchange Traded
Funds, Giving Investors More Access to the ETF Market

Six new ETF mutual fund classes combine many of the benefits of ETFs with mutual funds in a simple, easy to use investment option

TORONTO, April 26 /CNW/ - BMO Guardian Funds today announced the launch of six new mutual fund portfolios of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), giving investors broader choice and greater access to the growing ETF market.

The new offerings from BMO Guardian include two tactically managed funds and four strategically managed risk-differentiated portfolios. Each ETF mutual fund portfolio is a class of BMO Global Tax Advantage Funds Inc., a mutual fund corporation, which allows for switching among other BMO Global Tax Advantage Funds without incurring a taxable event.

    
    The new offerings include:

    BMO Guardian Tactical ETF Mutual Fund Portfolios
    -   BMO Guardian Canadian Tactical ETF Class Advisor Series
    -   BMO Guardian Global Tactical ETF Class Advisor Series

    BMO Guardian Strategic ETF Mutual Fund Portfolios
    -   BMO Guardian Security ETF Portfolio Advisor Series
    -   BMO Guardian Balanced ETF Portfolio Advisor Series
    -   BMO Guardian Growth ETF Portfolio Advisor Series
    -   BMO Guardian Aggressive Growth ETF Portfolio Advisor Series
    

"We are listening to our clients' needs and created these new mutual fund portfolios of ETFs to give investors and financial advisors another tool with which to access the growing ETF market," said Serge Pepin, Director of Investments at BMO Investments Inc. "These funds provide access to a portfolio of ETFs in one simple investment solution, in a mutual fund structure that many investors are familiar with."

A recent survey conducted by Leger Marketing for BMO revealed that 92 per cent of consumers are familiar with mutual funds and, while only 7 per cent are familiar with ETFs, the more Canadians learn about the benefits of ETFs the more likely they are to consider including them in their portfolios.

"Investors looking for more investment options are taking a closer look at BMO ETFs. These BMO Guardian Funds are the next step in providing increased choice and accessibility," said Pepin.

The asset allocation decisions for the BMO Guardian Tactical ETF Portfolios will be actively managed by Jones Heward Investment Counsel Inc. for the BMO Guardian Canadian Tactical ETF portfolio and Pyrford International Limited will provide investment management advice for the BMO Guardian Global Tactical ETF portfolio. The four risk-differentiated ETF portfolios will be strategically managed with ongoing portfolio monitoring and rebalancing by Jones Heward Investment Counsel Inc.

About BMO Guardian Funds

BMO Guardian Funds is a diversified family of funds and includes a broad range of domestic and global investment options covering a full array of asset classes, sectors, regions and specialized mandates. BMO Guardian Funds are currently offered by BMO Investments Inc., which is a member of BMO Financial Group and part of the organization's Private Client Group.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly-diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $399 billion as at January 31, 2010, and more than 36,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.

For further information: Media Contacts: Kasia Lech, Toronto, [email protected], [phone]; Sarah Bensadoun, Montréal, [email protected], [phone], Internet: www.bmo.com