"The Vancouver Giants thrilled fans last year, when they finished in first place in the Western Hockey League's BC Division, and they are off to a great start again this year," said Rob Serraglio, Senior Vice-President, BC & Yukon Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. "This is a golden opportunity to associate the BMO brand with a sport that people in Vancouver love and with a strong-performing team that is involved in the community."

Over each of the past four seasons, the Vancouver Giants have amassed 100 points or greater and have captured four straight BC Division titles within the Western Hockey League.

BMO is also introducing its national sponsorship marketing program - BMO Power of Blue - to Vancouver Giants home games. This customer experience program features:

    <<
    -   The chance to sit in better seats at each home game when you wave
        your BMO debit or credit card.
    -   Access to BMO MasterCard giveaways.
    >>

"I am extremely pleased that a major corporation like BMO Bank of Montreal, which has been in business in Vancouver since 1887, is supporting our hockey and community involvement goals," said Vancouver Giants President and majority owner, Ron Toigo. "Together, we can help develop junior hockey in Metro Vancouver and ensure that these young men have the opportunity to pursue higher achievements, in hockey, school and life."

BMO's association with the Vancouver Giants is in keeping with its more than ten years of involvement with the Canadian Hockey League through the BMO MasterCard affinity program.

In 2008, BMO contributed more than $55 million in donations and sponsorships in support of hundreds of organizations across the country. BMO Bank of Montreal has 116 branches in British Columbia.

SOURCE: BMO Bank of Montreal

SOURCE: BMO Financial Group

Media contacts: Laurie Grant, BMO Bank of Montreal, (604) 665-7596,
laurie.grant@bmo.com; Morley Scott, Vancouver Giants, (604) 789-3249,
mscott@vancouvergiants.com

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The bank's previous 12-month normal course issuer bid expired on September 7, 2009 and the bank did not repurchase any common shares under that bid. There were 551,513,248 Bank of Montreal common shares issued and outstanding as at September 30, 2009 and the public float was 551,075,410 common shares.

BMO Financial Group's Tier 1 ratio was 11.71 per cent as at July 31, 2009. The normal course issuer bid is being renewed as part of the bank's capital management strategy.

SOURCE: BMO Bank of Montreal

SOURCE: BMO Financial Group

Media Relations: Ralph Marranca, Toronto, ralph.marranca@bmo.com, (416) 867-3996;
Ronald Monet, Montreal, ronald.monet@bmo.com, (514) 877-1873; Investor Relations:
Steven Bonin, Toronto, steven.bonin@bmo.com, (416) 867-5452; Andrew Chin, Toronto,
andrew.chin@bmo.com, (416) 867-7019; Internet: www.bmo.com