-- License enables BMO to engage in the marketing, sale and distribution of 
foreign fixed income securities

BMO Financial Group (TSX: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) today announced its registration as 
a Securities Licensed company in Japan, marking the expansion of its footprint 
in the world's third largest economy and Canada's fourth largest export 
partner. The license enables BMO to enhance the service it provides to existing 
clients, attract new clients who prefer to deal with onshore banks, and engage 
in the marketing, sale and distribution of foreign fixed income securities 
including US & Canadian Rates, Credit and Securitized Products, setting the 
foundation for expansion of other BMO businesses.

"We're excited about our growth potential in Japan and the opportunity to 
better serve our growing onshore client base with product expertise well suited 
to the needs of domestic Japanese investors," said Rob Yeung, Country Head of 
International & Head of Global Equities and Financing Solutions, BMO Capital 
Markets. "Expanding our business in Japan aligns with BMO Capital Markets' 
strategy to build a premier distribution capability both Internationally and in 
North America. We're looking forward to being able to tap into a deep pool of 
Global Markets talent to complement our Asia coverage efforts."

"BMO applied for a Securities license after a strategic review that showed a 
high correlation between our Global Markets products and demand in Japan," said 
Yuko Kamiya, Representative Director, BMO Japan Securities Ltd. in Japan. 
"Japan is the largest foreign holder of US Treasuries, large investors of 
mortgages and securitized products and one of the most active foreign 
participants in Canadian bonds." 

BMO opened its first Representative office in Japan in 1962, followed by a bank 
branch that operated from 1981 until 1996. Since then, BMO's Japanese clients 
have been served from its Hong Kong branch. In 2020 BMO established a Tokyo 
Representative office, paving the way for the establishment of the newly 
licensed BMO Japan Securities Ltd.

About BMO Financial Group

Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified 
financial services provider - the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North 
America. With total assets of $1.04 trillion as of April 30, 2022, and a team 
of diverse and highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal 
and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and 
services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three 
operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and 
BMO Capital Markets.

Media Enquiries: Kelly Hechler, Toronto, Kelly.hechler@bmo.com, (416) 867-3996

SOURCE BMO Financial Group - Communications