BMO Investments Inc. Reduces Fees and Makes Other Changes to Mutual Fund Lineup

BMO Financial Group (CNW Group/BMO Financial Group) (CNW Group/BMO Financial Group)

TORONTO, May 1, 2017 /CNW/ - BMO Investments Inc. (BMOII) today announced new mutual fund series launches and fee reductions across its lineup.

BMOII has expanded its cash flow solutions, with Series F4 being added to five of the BMO ETF Portfolios. Building off its comprehensive suite of fee based solutions, BMOII has also added Series F to certain Index Funds giving investors access to global exposures at a low cost. BMOII also expanded its offering by adding Series F and Advisor Series on the BMO Risk Reduction Funds, giving investors access to innovative fixed income and equity solutions with a focus on downside protection.

"The need to generate greater returns at a lower cost, while managing volatility, is driving client demands for new and innovative products. We've responded with the launch of Risk Reduction Funds, as they go beyond traditional equity and fixed income solutions said Kevin Gopaul, Head, BMO Global Asset Management Canada, Global Head of ETFs and Chief Investment Officer, BMO Asset Management Inc. "We also lowered fees across our product shelf, demonstrating our commitment to providing our clients with low cost solutions."

Effective on or about April 24, 2017, BMOII reduced management fees by up to 45 basis points on certain Series A, Series D, Series F, Series T5 and Advisor Series of 12 BMO Mutual Funds as listed in the chart below:

Fund	Current Management Fee	New Management Fee
BMO Canadian Equity ETF Fund	Series A: 0.85% Series D: 0.60%	Series A: 0.75%
		Series D: 0.50%
BMO U.S. Dollar Equity Index Fund	Series A: 0.85%	Series A: 0.80%
BMO U.S. Equity ETF Fund	Series A: 0.85%	Series A: 0.80%
BMO International Equity ETF Fund	Series D: 0.70%	Series D: 0.60%
BMO Target Education 2020 Portfolio	Series A: 1.40% Series D: 0.75%	Series A: 1.25%
		Series D: 0.70%
BMO Target Education 2025 Portfolio	Series A: 1.50% Series D: 0.85%	Series A: 1.25%
		Series D: 0.70%
BMO Target Education 2030 Portfolio	Series A: 1.60% Series D: 0.95%	Series A: 1.25%
		Series D: 0.70%
BMO Target Education 2035 Portfolio	Series A: 1.70% Series D: 1.05%	Series A: 1.25%
		Series D: 0.70%
BMO Target Education Income Portfolio	Series A: 0.70% Series D: 0.55%	Series A: 0.60%
		Series D: 0.50%
BMO Global Dividend Class	Series A: 2.00% Series T5: 2.00% Advisor Series: 2.00%	Series A: 1.90% Series T5: 1.90% Advisor Series: 1.90%
BMO Global Equity Class	Series A: 2.00% Advisor Series: 2.00%	Series A: 1.85% Advisor Series: 1.85%
BMO International Value Class	Series A: 2.00% Series F: 0.80% Advisor Series: 2.00%	Series A: 1.90% Series F: 0.75% Advisor Series: 1.90%

Effective on or about April 24, 2017, BMOII reduced the administration fee across 9 BMO Mutual Funds as indicated in the chart below:

Fund	Current Administration Fee	New Administration Fee
BMO International Equity ETF Fund	0.19%	0.10%
BMO U.S. Dollar Equity Index Fund	0.20%	0.10%
BMO U.S. Equity ETF Fund	0.20%	0.10%
BMO Global Equity Class	0.35%	0.30%
BMO Emerging Markets Fund	0.40%	0.30%
BMO Global Infrastructure Fund	0.35%	0.30%
BMO International Value Fund	0.35%	0.30%
BMO International Value Class	0.35%	0.30%
BMO Asian Growth and Income Class	0.40%	0.25%

Effective on or about April 24, 2017, BMOII reduced the trailing commission or service fee across the BMO Target Education Portfolios as indicated in the chart below:

Fund	Current Trailer	New Trailer
BMO Target Education 2020 Portfolio	0.75	0.60
BMO Target Education 2025 Portfolio	0.75	0.60
BMO Target Education 2030 Portfolio	0.75	0.60
BMO Target Education 2035 Portfolio	0.75	0.60

Risk Rating Changes

The risk rating for the following funds is changed as set out below, effective April 24, 2017, to align better with these funds' risk levels.

Fund		Current Rating		New Rating
BMO LifeStage Plus 2017		Low to Medium		Low
BMO LifeStage Plus 2020		Low to Medium		Low

These new risk ratings reflect the shift in the funds' investments as they approach their respective target end date.

Merger of BMO LifeStage Plus 2017 Fund with BMO Money Market Fund

BMO LifeStage Plus 2017 Fund (BMO LSP 2017) is approaching its June 30, 2017 target maturity date. Upon maturity, BMO LSP 2017 will be merged into BMO Money Market Fund on a tax deferred basis, effective after the close of business on or about June 30, 2017. The Independent Review Committee of the BMO Mutual Funds approved the merger after considering and determining that, if implemented, the merger would achieve a fair and reasonable result for the securityholders of both funds. Securityholders of BMO LSP 2017 will receive securities of BMO Money Market Fund, determined on a dollar-for-dollar basis, and BMO LSP 2017 will be wound up as soon as possible following the merger.

For more information on BMO Mutual Funds please visit www.bmo.com/mutualfunds.

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BMO Mutual Funds are offered by BMO Investments Inc., a financial services firm and separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal. Global Tax Advantage Funds are classes of BMO Global Tax Advantage Funds Inc., a separate entity managed by BMO Investments Inc.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the fund facts or prospectus of the mutual fund before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed.

About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817, and currently marking its 200th year of operations, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of $692 billion as of January 31, 2017, and more than 45,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.                                                 

SOURCE BMO Financial Group

Media Contacts: Catherine Litwinski, Toronto, [email protected], 416-867-3996 Valerie Doucet, Montréal, [email protected], 514-877-8224