BMO Capital Markets to Donate C$1.6 Million Following Equity Through Education Trading Day

• Annual initiative has raised C$19.5 million since 2005, supporting more than 3,000 students
• Program donates a day's worth of trading commissions generated by BMO Capital Markets in Canada, the U.S. and Europe

TORONTO, NEW YORK and LONDON, Sept. 14, 2017 /CNW/ - BMO Capital Markets, the investment and corporate banking arm of BMO Financial Group (NYSE:BMO)(TSX:BMO), today announced that its 2017 Equity Through Education trading day raised C$1.6 million from institutional equity trading commissions to donate toward educational scholarships for students in North America and Europe.

Each year, BMO Capital Markets donates a day of institutional equity trading commissions from the United States, Canada and Europe to charities that provide greater access to education for less advantaged students through scholarships, bursaries and other academic programs. The initiative has raised C$19.5 million and has helped more than 3,000 students since it was launched in 2005.

"Since 2005, BMO Capital Markets has helped more than 600 Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) Scholars with funding provided through its annual Equity Through Education program," said Della Britton Baeza, JRF's President & CEO. "This generous support includes direct sponsorship of 20 JRF/BMO Capital Markets Scholars and we could not be more grateful.  BMO has embraced our approach of providing four years of financial aid accompanied by comprehensive mentoring and job placement services for college students who, in turn, positively impact the workplace and all of society – in keeping with the legacy of our heroic namesake."

"Equity Through Education creates opportunity for driven students, who otherwise might not have the chance to achieve their full potential," said Alan Tannenbaum, Managing Director and Co-head of Global Equity Products, BMO Capital Markets, and Executive Sponsor of the program. "BMO is committed to supporting charities focused on education and student success, which in turn helps to promote diversity in the workplace."

This year, the proceeds from the BMO Capital Markets Equity Through Education trading day will go to the following charities:

• The Jackie Robinson Foundation
• The Financial Women's Association
• Imperial College
• Indspire
• Lime Connect
• The Loran Scholars Foundation
• Say Yes to Education
• Women in Capital Markets Return to Bay Street Program

About BMO Capital Markets
BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service North American-based financial services provider, with approximately 2,400 professionals in 30 locations around the world, including 16 offices in North America, 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 (NYSE, TSX: BMO), one of the largest diversified financial services providers in North America with US$569 billion total assets and over 45,000 employees as at July 31, 2017.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group

Media Contacts: Mallory Micetich (NYC), [phone], [e-mail], Internet: www.bmo.com, Twitter: @BMOMedia