Bank of Montreal 2004 Annual Report Download - page 13

BMO Financial Group Annual Report 2004 9
Convenience, Flexibility and
Security at Home
We have introduced a new line of
credit that provides homeowners with
a convenient “one-stop-shopping”
approach to borrowing. BMO Bank of
Montreal Homeowner ReadiLine
TM
allows
homeowners access to up to 75% of
the value of their home to finance their
personal borrowing needs. Whether
customers are looking to renovate,
finance a child’s education, purchase a
vacation property or borrow to make an
investment, this new product combines
the convenience and flexibility of a
line of credit with the security and inter-
est rates of a conventional mortgage.
Faster, Better Online Banking
In 2004, we redesigned the BMO Bank
of Montreal online banking web site
to make the online banking experience
easier and faster for all customers.
The new site allows customers to track
all their financial transactions and
find information on products, services
and rates – all through one convenient
menu. Other enhancements include
easily accessible and secure request
forms for online mortgage, loan and
credit card applications, integration
of investment information, and better
links between customers’ bank cards
and their accounts.
Best Private Bank in Canada
BMO Harris Private Banking, which
serves the needs of high net worth
individuals and families, was named
the best private bank in Canada by
Euromoney Magazine, one of Europe’s
leading sources of information on
international banking. The ranking
recognizes BMO Harris Private Banking’s
commitment to providing seamless
North American delivery of integrated
wealth management solutions, from
investment management and estate and
trust services to succession planning.
Top Online Brokerage
Our direct investing platform has again
been named the top online brokerage
in leading industry surveys. For the third
consecutive year BMO InvestorLine
earned the top position in The Globe and
Mail’s annual ranking of online brokers
and was once again voted the top online
brokerage in the Watchfire GómezPro
ranking. In 2004, we introduced our
guided investing approach to help our
clients become even more successful
investors. Responding to our clients’
needs through continued innovation
helps keep BMO InvestorLine on top.
Advising our High Net Worth Clients
BMO Nesbitt Burns, our full-service
investment firm, formally established
a Wealth Advisory practice for high
net worth clients to provide financial
planning advice for life issues such
as assisting aging parents, setting up
a philanthropic program or creating
a business succession plan.
Six New Mutual Funds
Three months after celebrating its
30th anniversary, BMO Mutual Funds
announced the launch of six new funds,
including a diversified mix of income,
U.S. dollar and global tax advantage
funds. The new selection offers added
income, currency diversification,
global reach and tax-efficient portfolio
solutions to retail investors in Canada.
What’s Next?
TM
•Focus on building lasting
client relationships across all
our businesses to drive
top-line revenue growth.
•Continue to improve productivity
across our organization by 150
to 200 basis points every year.
•Develop and deliver new and
innovative products and services
in Canada.
•Continue to enhance our offerings
and deepen client relationships.
•Continue to fine-tune our
business models.
In par ticular, the BMO Greater China
Class fund provides investors with an
opportunity to gain tax-advantaged
exposure to one of the world’s fastest-
growing economies.
A Leader in Investment Banking
Operating under the BMO Nesbitt Burns
brand in Canada, we offer corporate,
institutional and government clients
complete financial services across
the entire balance sheet. We continue
to build on our Canadian leadership in
the high-return fee-based businesses
of mergers and acquisitions, equity and
debt underwriting, and securitization.
In 2004, we participated in 374 Canadian
corporate debt and equity transactions
that raised $61 billion, and advised
on $10.6 billion of completed Canadian
mergers and acquisitions.
In Good Times and Bad
BMO Bank of Montreal has a strong reputa-
tion for standing by our customers in difficult
times. In 2004, we extended our Bovine
Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Disaster
Assistance Program for customers who
continue to be affected by the ongoing
crisis. Launched in 2003, the program
is designed to help affected beef and
agricultural businesses with their ongoing
financial needs through a combination
of payment deferrals, interest rate reductions
and application fee waivers.
The Gift of Education
BMO Bank of Montreal is encouraging
Canadians to give children in their lives the
gift of education with the launch of BMO
Education Savings Gift Certificates. Available
in denominations of $50, $100 or $250, the
gift certificates can be invested in a new or
existing Registered Education Savings Plan.