Bank of Montreal Announces the Reverse Split of Two Series of ETNs

Rhea-AI Summary

Bank of Montreal (BMO) announced a 1-for-10 reverse split of two series of its exchange traded notes (ETNs), effective March 29, 2021. The ETNs affected are the MicroSectors™ U.S. Big Banks Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (BNKD) and the MicroSectors™ U.S. Big Oil Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs (NRGD). Holders will receive one reverse split-adjusted ETN for every ten pre-split ETNs. Any fractional ETN will be compensated in cash based on the closing value determined on April 5, 2021, with payments made around April 8, 2021.

Positive

• The reverse split could increase the perceived value of each ETN, potentially improving trading liquidity.
• The adjustment maintains the aggregate principal amount of the ETNs, ensuring no principal loss for holders.

Negative

• A reverse split can indicate underlying issues, such as low trading prices, which might concern investors.
• The move may not positively impact the trading volume or investor sentiment in the long term.

Registration Statement No. 333-237342
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

NEW YORK, March 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of Montreal (TSX: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) today announced that it will implement a 1-for-10 reverse split of two series of its outstanding exchange traded notes (the "ETNs"), expected to be effective as of March 29, 2021.

The table below indicates the ETNs that will be subject to the reverse split, their trading symbol, their current CUSIP numbers, and the CUSIP numbers that they will receive after giving effect to the reverse split:

ETNs		Ticker Symbol		Current CUSIP / New CUSIP
MicroSectorsTM U.S. Big Banks Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs due March 25, 2039		BNKD		063679781 / 063679625
MicroSectorsTM U.S. Big Oil Index -3X Inverse Leveraged ETNs due March 25, 2039		NRGD		063679724 / 063679633

The reverse split will be effective at the open of trading on March 29, 2021. Each ETN will begin trading on the NYSE Arca on a reverse split-adjusted basis on that day. Holders of an ETN who purchased that ETN prior to March 29, 2021 will receive one reverse split-adjusted ETN for every 10 pre-reverse split ETNs.

In addition, investors that hold a number of ETNs that are not evenly divisible by 10 will receive a cash payment for any fractional ETNs remaining (the "partials"). The cash amount due on any partials will be determined on April 5, 2021 and will equal, for each remaining ETN, its closing indicative value on that date. Bank of Montreal will pay these amounts on or about April 8, 2021.

The closing indicative value of each ETN on March 26, 2021 will be multiplied by 10 to determine the reverse split-adjusted closing indicative value. Following the reverse split, each ETN will have a new CUSIP, as set forth above, but will continue to trade under its current ticker symbol.

The reverse split will affect the trading denominations of each series of the ETNs, but it will not have any effect on the aggregate principal amount of the ETNs, except that the aggregate principal amount will be reduced by the corresponding aggregate amount of any cash payments for the "partials."

Illustration of a Reverse Split

The following table shows the effect of a 1-for-10 reverse split on the hypothetical closing indicative value of the ETNs. The closing indicative value of an ETN is not the same as its principal amount (currently, $50) or the trading price of that ETN.

		Number of ETNs		Hypothetical Closing Indicative Value		Aggregate Closing Indicative Value
Pre-Reverse Split		100,000		$10.00		$1,000,000
1-for-10 Post-Reverse Split		10,000		$100.00		$1,000,000

None of the other exchange traded notes issued by Bank of Montreal are affected by this announcement.

The ETNs are senior, unsecured obligations of Bank of Montreal.

Investment suitability must be determined individually for each investor, and the ETNs may not be suitable for all investors. This information is not intended to provide and should not be relied upon as providing accounting, legal, regulatory or tax advice.

Investors should consult with their own financial advisors as to these matters. In addition, please see the pricing supplement relating to the applicable ETNs for important information about Solactive AG, the licensor of the indices to which the ETNs are linked.

The leveraged ETNs discussed in this press release are intended to be daily trading tools for sophisticated investors to manage daily trading risks as part of an overall diversified portfolio. They are designed to achieve their stated investment objectives on a daily basis. The returns on the ETNs over longer periods of time can, and most likely will, differ significantly from the return on a direct short investment in the index underlying those ETNs.

Bank of Montreal, the issuer of the ETNs, has filed a registration statement (including a pricing supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus) with the SEC regarding each of the ETNs discussed in this press release. Please read those documents and the other documents relating to the ETNs that Bank of Montreal has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Bank of Montreal and the ETNs. These documents may be obtained without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Bank of Montreal, and any agent or dealer that participated in the offerings of the ETNs, will arrange to send the applicable pricing supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus if so requested by calling toll-free at 1-877-369-5412.

About REX

REX Shares is an independent provider of exchange-traded products (ETPs). As ETP architects, the REX team specializes in creating investment vehicles that solve specific access or efficiency challenges in investor portfolios. The firm is rooted with decades of structuring and building innovative exchange-traded product solutions.

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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 $973 billion as of January 31, 2021, 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.

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SOURCE BMO Financial Group

FAQ

What is the reverse split for BMO's ETNs?

Bank of Montreal is implementing a 1-for-10 reverse split for its ETNs, effective March 29, 2021.

How will the reverse split affect the trading of BNKD and NRGD?

Investors will trade on a reverse split-adjusted basis from March 29, receiving one adjusted ETN for every ten they held.

When will cash payments for fractional ETNs be made after the reverse split?

Cash payments for fractional ETNs will be determined on April 5, 2021, and paid around April 8, 2021.

How will the reverse split affect the CUSIP numbers for BMO's ETNs?

Each ETN will receive a new CUSIP number following the reverse split, although they will continue to trade under their current ticker symbols.