News Releases

BMO Nesbitt Burns and Harris Nesbitt raise $1.6 Million for Charities that Support Education and Diversity

TORONTO, May 12, 2005 – BMO Nesbitt Burns and Harris Nesbitt are proud to announce they have raised a total of $1.6 million (US$1.28 million) yesterday in institutional equity trading commissions for charities that support and promote education and diversity.

This is the first year that parent BMO Financial Group (TSX, NYSE: BMO), through its brokerage subsidiaries, BMO Nesbitt Burns and Harris Nesbitt, launched Equity through Education, a charitable program focused on helping people realize their educational and career goals.

"This is an absolutely tremendous outcome. I want to thank our clients and all of our supporters for making this happen," said Eric Tripp, Vice Chair, BMO Nesbitt Burns and Campaign Chair of the special trading day. "Equity through Education 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."

The proceeds of Equity through Education will be shared between seven charities – four based in Canada and three in the United States.

Canada:

Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation – Works to identify and support talented students who show promise of leadership and a strong commitment to service in the community. CMSF funds these citizens to study on Canadian campuses, to the benefit of their future.

Foundation for the Advancement of Aboriginal Youth – Is a scholarship and bursary program dedicated to developing the next generation of aboriginal leaders.

The Nat ional Educational Association of Disabled Students – Focuses on access to colleges and universities in Canada so that students with disabilities can participate in all college and university programs, including all aspects of campus life.

The Pathways to Education Program – The mission of The Pathways to Education Program is to reduce poverty and its effects by supporting the development of youth from economically disadvantaged communities and promoting their individual health and the health of the community by addressing the two principal social determinants of health: education and income.

United States:

The Jackie Robinson Foundation – Provides education and leadership development opportunities for students of color with strong capabilities, but limited financial resources.

The Financial Women's Association – A prominent non-profit organization shaping leaders in business and finance with a special emphasis on the role and development of women.

YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network - Mission is to build brighter futures for people with developmental and learning disabilities and their families.

"Education is the key to success in our society," said Dr. Philip Levy, President and COO of YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities. "We applaud Harris Nesbitt and BMO Nesbitt Burns for creating this program that will enable so many individuals to achieve their fullest potential."

"With the generous contribution from BMO, we will support talented young women so that they may positively impact tomorrow's Canada," said Executive Director, Franca Gucciardi, herself an alumna chosen in the first class of the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation.

BMO Financial Group has a proud tradition of supporting community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility to the communities it serves. In 2 004, BMO Financial Group contributed more than $37 million in corporate donations, sponsorships and events, supporting communities, charities and not-for-profit organizations in Canada and the United States.

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $294 billion as at January 31, 2005, and more than 33,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions. BMO Financial Group serves clients across Canada through its Canadian retail arm, BMO Bank of Montreal, and through BMO Nesbitt Burns, one of Canada's leading full-service investment firms. In the United States, BMO serves clients through Chicago-based Harris, an integrated financial services organization that provides more than 1.5 million personal, business, corporate and institutional clients with banking, lending, investing, financial planning, trust administration, portfolio management, family office and wealth transfer services.