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BMO Capital Markets’ Equity Through Education Campaign Raises CDN$1.7 Million (US$1.5 Million) For North American Charities

Donations from equity trading commissions up 6 per cent

BMO Capital Markets announced today it has raised CDN$1.7 million (US$1.5 million) to be donated to seven charities across North America through the firm’s Equity Through Education (ETE) charitable program. The donations were generated through commissions earned on all institutional equity trades that took place in Canada and the U.S. on May 2, representing a 6 per cent increase from the program result last year.

“Congratulations to everyone who played a part. Together, we’ve turned one day of trading into a lifetime of opportunity,” said Eric Tripp, Co-President, BMO Capital Markets and Campaign Chair of the special trading day. “Equity Through Education is an important charitable and diversity initiative that represents a partnership with our clients and our communities. It is a way for all of us to demonstrate our commitment to diversity as well as our ability to make a real difference.”

BMO Capital Markets’ Equity Through Education’s four Canadian charities: the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation (CMSF); the Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth (FAAY); the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS); and Pathways Canada will share CDN$1,050,000. The campaign’s three U.S.-based charities: the Jackie Robinson Foundation; YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network; and the Financial Women’s Association will share US$600,000.

The Equity Through Education charitable program was launched to support the belief that gaining an education is a means of improving lives. Since the launch of the program in 2005, a total of CDN$4.9 million / US$4.1 million has been raised. More than 1,300 individuals have benefited from the program through scholarships, bursaries, mentoring programs and job search strategy forums.

BMO Capital Markets, through its parent, BMO Financial Group, has a proud tradition of supporting community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility to the communities it serves. BMO Financial Group contributed more than $40 million in corporate donations, sponsorships and events in 2006, supporting thousands of communities, charities and not-for-profit organizations in Canada and the United States.

About BMO Capital Markets

BMO Capital Markets is a leading North American financial services provider offering investment and corporate banking, advisory services, treasury and market risk management, institutional investing, and research. BMO Capital Markets is a member of BMO Financial Group (NYSE, TSX: BMO), which has total assets of CAD$356 billion/ US$306 billion as at January 31, 2007, and more than 35,000 employees.