Attention Business Editors:

Best Private Bank in Canada Comes to Saskatchewan

    New BMO Harris Private Banking office in Saskatoon will provide wealth
    management services to high net worth clients

    SASKATOON, Oct. 12 /CNW/ - BMO Harris Private Banking, named the best
private bank in Canada by Euromoney Magazine for three straight years, today
officially opened its first Saskatchewan office, offering a unique wealth
management service designed specifically for affluent Canadians. BMO Harris
Private Banking will be the only private bank with an office in Saskatchewan.
    BMO Harris Private Banking, a member of BMO Financial Group, serves the
needs of high net worth clients and their families and helps them deal with a
wide range of complex financial issues. Modeled on the highly-regarded private
banking business of Harris Bank, BMO's Chicago-based U.S. subsidiary, which
has been managing money for affluent clients for more than 100 years, the
opening of the office signals a confidence in the market opportunities to
service the needs of the province's high net worth citizens.
    "We're very pleased to bring our integrated approach to wealth management
to more clients in Saskatchewan," said Sandra Henderson, Vice President and
Managing Director, Prairies Region, BMO Harris Private Banking. "As the best
private bank in Canada, our team of experienced professionals is looking
forward to serving the needs of Saskatchewan clients with the same dedication
and commitment with which we serve clients across Canada."
    The BMO Harris Private Banking team in the Saskatoon office includes a
senior private banker, an investment counsellor and a private banking officer
supported by senior staff in the Winnipeg office, and working in collaboration
with BMO Bank of Montreal staff, lead by Ken Segboer, Vice President,
Saskatchewan District.
    BMO Harris Private Banking specializes in providing innovative financial
solutions to successful entrepreneurs, current and retired professionals,
corporate executives, private investors and the high net worth individual. The
fully integrated delivery model provides a full range of specialized,
platinum-level banking and wealth management services including:
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    -   Equity financing, retirement savings programs, business loans,
        mortgages, lines of credit, and equipment financing.
    -   Individually customized discretionary investment strategies that
        integrate tax and succession planning.
    -   And trust and estate services - fulfilling technical and
        administrative responsibilities when named as executor or co-
        executor, or in the role of trustee for a testamentary or living
        trust; assisting with business succession planning, including
        implementing an estate freeze.
    >>

    Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly
diversified North American financial services organization. BMO Bank of
Montreal opened its first branch in Saskatchewan in 1883 and now operates 29
branches and two northern outlets, with more than 350 employees in the
province. BMO Nesbitt Burns has two branches in Saskatchewan with over 50
employees.

For further information: Laurie Grant, Vancouver, laurie.grant@bmo.com,
(604) 665-7596; Internet: www.bmoharrisprivatebanking.com