Bank of Montreal 2010 Annual Report Download - page 8

6 BMO Financial Group 193rd Annual Report 2010
Creating opportunity
Customers’ preferences have shifted. None of us want to forget the lessons of the last
three years. We’re all paying more attention to our finances. This re-emergence of clients’
appreciation of consistency and value is something that plays to our core strengths.
And it is what BMO is delivering.
We are very proud of the performance of our personal and commercial bank in
Canada. Even for a company as diversified as ours, it is a barometer of the health of our
organization. We are building BMO Bank of Montreal through investments in front-line
staff and the expansion of our branch network, online and customer contact capabilities.
We intend to keep this business growing. In so doing, we not only create opportunities
for our customers, but also for our other businesses.
Our intense focus on personal and commercial banking in North America reflects
our commitment to leverage one of the bank’s greatest strengths: our brand and strong
reputation. Making money make sense speaks directly to customers as individuals –
whether they’re acting for themselves, or as entrepreneurs, or as the leaders of the
companies and institutions with which we do business. Maintaining a balance when
it comes to controlling spending, growing savings, borrowing smartly and investing
wisely is important. Our role at BMO is to help customers make sense of these things.
It is where customers most value the help of a bank and where we are most capable –
combining our understanding of customers with our capital – to take full advantage of
this unique market position.
A clear strategy rests on a strong foundation
2010 confirms we are on the right path. We are well positioned with a clear strategy,
and a brand promise common to every business. As we reach important milestones our
aspirations remain ambitious. There is much yet to be accomplished.
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S MESSAGE
2010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995
0.66 0.82
1.59
1.34
1.20
1.12
1.00
0.94
0.88
1.85
2.26
2.71 2.802.80 2.80
0.74
Dividends Declared ($ per share)
Compound annual growth rate
10.1% 8.6%
BMO 15-year BMO 5-year
BMO Financial Group has
the longest-running dividend
payout record of any
company in Canada, at
182 years. BMO common
shares provided a
dividend yield of 4.65%
at October 31, 2010.
The bank’s strong balance sheet, liquidity, capital position,
reputation and people reinforce our ability to react
to opportunities.