BMO Capital Markets Appoints Perry Hoffmeister as Head of U.S. Investment and
Corporate Banking

    
    -  Wall Street veteran to lead BMO's U.S. investment and corporate
       banking business
    -  BMO Capital Markets continues to hire top talent to expand in the
       United States as the economic outlook improves
    -  BMO Capital Markets has hired more than 350 professionals globally
       within the last year with plans to add more
    

CHICAGO and NEW YORK, April 1 /CNW/ - BMO Capital Markets, the investment and corporate banking arm of BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), is pleased to announce Perry Hoffmeister is joining BMO Capital Markets as Head of U.S. Investment & Corporate Banking, effective April 19.

Mr. Hoffmeister will report to Bill Butt, Global Head of Investment and Corporate Banking, BMO Capital Markets.

"Perry has a tremendous reputation for focusing on clients, and a proven ability to lead large teams of professionals to achieve outstanding business results," said Mr. Butt. "With his vast experience, Perry will be instrumental in ensuring BMO Capital Markets is well positioned to grow our U.S. business and take advantage of new opportunities, especially as the U.S. economic outlook improves."

The veteran dealmaker will be responsible for spearheading all of the sector and product groups within BMO Capital Markets' U.S. Investment & Corporate Banking Group. This includes key industries for BMO Capital Markets such as the Business Services & Media, Energy, Financial Institutions, Financial Sponsors, Food & Agriculture, Healthcare, Industrials and Real Estate sectors, as well as product groups that include M&A, Equity Capital Markets, Debt Capital Markets and Loan Products.

Mr. Hoffmeister joins BMO Capital Markets after 21 years at Lehman Brothers, where he was recently Co-Head of Investment Banking for Europe and the Middle East. His other positions at Lehman included Co-Head of the Global Communications Group, which was widely considered one of the most successful telecom groups on Wall Street; Head of the Global Communications and Media Investment Banking Groups; and Head of Investment Management, Europe and the Middle East.

During his career, Mr. Hoffmeister has worked on more than a hundred investment banking transactions representing more than $200 billion in value. His advisory and financing work for companies across several sectors includes many of the telecommunications industry's defining transactions, including the $47 billion acquisition of AT&T Wireless by Cingular Wireless.

"Our number one priority will be to expand our fee-based businesses with core clients," said Mr. Hoffmeister. "As a full service investment and corporate bank, we see a great opportunity to expand the number of new investment banking relationships as clients seek advice on how best to raise capital or take advantage of current market conditions."

Mr. Hoffmeister's appointment follows several recent additions to the firm. Within the last year, BMO Capital Markets has hired more than 50 senior professionals in the United States, with plans to add more in the coming months. "The ability for BMO Capital Markets to attract top talent has been - and continues to be a competitive advantage," said Mr. Butt.

About BMO Capital Markets

BMO Capital Markets is a leading, full-service North American financial services provider, with over 2,200 employees operating in 15 North American offices and 28 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 (NYSE, TSX: BMO), one of the largest diversified financial services providers in North America with US$373 billion total assets and more than 36,000 employees as at January 31, 2010.

For further information: Media Contacts: Kim Hanson, Toronto, [e-mail], [phone]; Holly Holt, New York, [e-mail], [phone]; Ronald Monet, Montreal, [e-mail], [phone]