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Bank of Montreal Enters into Automatic Securities Purchase Plan

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Bank of Montreal (BMO) has announced entering into an automatic securities purchase plan (ASPP) with BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. to facilitate the repurchase of up to 20 million common shares under a normal course issuer bid. The implementation of purchases is pending approval from both the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (OSFI) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).

The timing, quantity, and price of share purchases will be determined by management based on factors including market conditions and capital adequacy. Share purchases will be made at market price, and BMO will consult with OSFI before making purchases. The buyback program is expected to run for up to one year after receiving TSX acceptance.

La Banca di Montreal (BMO) ha annunciato di aver avviato un programma di acquisto automatico di titoli (ASPP) con BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. per facilitare il riacquisto di fino a 20 milioni di azioni ordinarie nell'ambito di un'offerta pubblica normale. L'attuazione degli acquisti è in attesa di approvazione da parte dell'Ufficio del Sovrintendente delle Istituzioni Finanziarie del Canada (OSFI) e della Borsa di Toronto (TSX).

I tempi, le quantità e il prezzo degli acquisti di azioni saranno determinati dalla direzione in base a fattori tra cui le condizioni di mercato e l'adeguatezza del capitale. Gli acquisti di azioni saranno effettuati al prezzo di mercato e BMO consulterà l'OSFI prima di effettuare gli acquisti. Il programma di riacquisto è previsto per una durata di massimo un anno dopo aver ricevuto l'accettazione della TSX.

El Banco de Montreal (BMO) ha anunciado su entrada en un plan de compra automática de valores (ASPP) con BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. para facilitar la recompra de hasta 20 millones de acciones comunes bajo una oferta pública ordinaria. La implementación de las compras está pendiente de la aprobación tanto de la Oficina del Superintendente de Instituciones Financieras de Canadá (OSFI) como de la Bolsa de Valores de Toronto (TSX).

El momento, la cantidad y el precio de las compras de acciones serán determinados por la dirección, basándose en factores que incluyen las condiciones del mercado y la adecuación de capital. Las compras de acciones se llevarán a cabo al precio de mercado, y BMO consultará con la OSFI antes de realizar las compras. Se espera que el programa de recompra tenga una duración de hasta un año tras recibir la aceptación de la TSX.

몬트리올 은행(BMO)가 BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.와 함께 자동 증권 구매 계획(ASPP)을 체결하여 최대 2천만 주의 보통주를 정상적인 발행자 입회 입찰에 따라 재매입할 것이라고 발표했습니다. 매입의 시행은 캐나다 금융기관 감독관 사무실(OSFI) 및 토론토 증권 거래소(TSX)의 승인을 기다리고 있습니다.

주식 매입의 시기, 수량 및 가격은 시장 상황 및 자본 적정성을 포함한 요소에 따라 경영진이 결정할 것입니다. 주식 매입은 시장 가격으로 이루어지며, BMO는 매입을 하기 전에 OSFI와 상담할 것입니다. 매입 프로그램은 TSX의 승인을 받은 후 최대 1년 동안 진행될 것으로 예상됩니다.

La Banque de Montréal (BMO) a annoncé son entrée dans un plan d'achat automatique de titres (ASPP) avec BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. afin de faciliter le rachat de jusqu'à 20 millions d'actions ordinaires dans le cadre d'une offre publique normale. La mise en œuvre des achats est en attente de l'approbation de l'Office du Surintendant des Institutions Financières du Canada (OSFI) et de la Bourse de Toronto (TSX).

Le moment, la quantité et le prix des achats d'actions seront déterminés par la direction en fonction de facteurs tels que les conditions du marché et l'adéquation du capital. Les achats d'actions seront effectués au prix de marché, et BMO consultera l'OSFI avant de procéder aux achats. Le programme de rachat est prévu pour durer jusqu'à un an après l'acceptation par la TSX.

Die Bank of Montreal (BMO) hat bekannt gegeben, dass sie in einen automatischen Wertpapier-Kaufplan (ASPP) mit BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. eintritt, um den Rückkauf von bis zu 20 Millionen Stammaktien im Rahmen eines regulären öffentlichen Angebots zu erleichtern. Die Umsetzung der Käufe steht noch unter dem Vorbehalt der Genehmigung durch das Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (OSFI) und die Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).

Der Zeitpunkt, die Menge und der Preis der Aktienkäufe werden von der Geschäftsführung basierend auf Faktoren wie Marktbedingungen und Kapitalausstattung festgelegt. Die Aktienkäufe werden zum Marktpreis erfolgen, und BMO wird vor den Käufen mit dem OSFI beraten. Das Rückkaufprogramm wird voraussichtlich bis zu einem Jahr nach Erhalt der Genehmigung von der TSX laufen.

Positive
  • Announced share buyback program for up to 20 million common shares
  • Implementation of automated purchase plan showing structured approach to capital return
Negative
  • Program implementation pending multiple regulatory approvals
  • Final purchase quantity and timing uncertain, dependent on market conditions

Insights

The Bank of Montreal's announcement of an automatic securities purchase plan (ASPP) for up to 20 million common shares represents a significant capital management initiative. Share buybacks typically signal management's confidence in the company's financial position and often indicate that the stock is undervalued. For BMO, with its current market cap of $71.8 billion, this repurchase program could represent approximately 3.5% of outstanding shares.

The ASPP structure is particularly noteworthy as it allows for systematic share repurchases while avoiding potential conflicts with insider trading restrictions. The program's flexibility in timing and pricing, based on market conditions and capital adequacy, provides BMO with strategic advantages in capital deployment. This type of arrangement is common among major financial institutions as a way to return excess capital to shareholders while maintaining regulatory compliance.

The requirement for OSFI approval adds a regulatory oversight dimension that's important for maintaining banking sector stability. The consultation requirement with OSFI before making purchases indicates a careful approach to capital management, ensuring the buyback doesn't compromise the bank's financial strength.

The timing of this share buyback initiative aligns with the broader banking sector trends where strong capital positions are enabling increased shareholder returns. BMO's move suggests robust capital ratios and confidence in future earnings. The structured approach through an ASPP, rather than direct market purchases, demonstrates sophisticated treasury management.

The dual regulatory approval requirement from both TSX and OSFI reflects the complex regulatory environment Canadian banks operate in. This multi-layered oversight ensures the buyback program won't impact BMO's ability to meet its regulatory capital requirements. The market-price-based purchase mechanism helps prevent price manipulation while potentially providing support for the stock during market volatility.

For retail investors, this program effectively creates a price floor for the stock, as BMO becomes a significant buyer in the market. The one-year duration provides a sustained period of potential price support, though actual implementation will depend on market conditions and regulatory capital requirements.

TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Bank of Montreal (TSX: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) today announced that it has entered into an automatic securities purchase plan ("ASPP") with its broker, BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., in order to facilitate repurchases of BMO common shares ("Common Shares") in connection with its previously announced intention to purchase for cancellation up to 20 million of Common Shares under a normal course issuer bid. While the ASPP has been approved by the TSX, the purchase of any Common Shares under the ASPP will not begin until after the approval of such normal course issuer bid by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (OSFI) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). 

The actual number of Common Shares purchased under the normal course issuer bid, the timing of purchases and the price at which the Common Shares are bought will depend upon management discretion based on factors such as market conditions and capital adequacy. The purchase price for any Common Shares repurchased by the Bank under the normal course issuer bid will be market price at the time of acquisition. The Bank will consult with OSFI prior to making purchases. Bank of Montreal intends to file a notice of intention with the TSX in this regard and, subject to regulatory approvals, the bid would commence following TSX acceptance of the notice and continue for up to one year.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

Bank of Montreal's public communications often include written or oral forward-looking statements. Statements of this type are included in this press release and may be included in other filings with Canadian securities regulators or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or in other communications. All such statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include but are not limited to statements with respect to BMO's intention to establish a normal course issuer bid. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "will", "would", "should", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "commit", "target", "may", "schedule", "forecast", "outlook", "seek" and "could" or negative or grammatical variations thereof. 

By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific in nature. There is significant risk that predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections will not prove to be accurate, that our assumptions may not be correct, and that actual results may differ materially from such predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections. We caution readers of this press release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, as a number of factors – many of which are beyond our control and the effects of which can be difficult to predict – could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements.

The future outcomes that relate to forward-looking statements may be influenced by many factors, including, but not limited to: general economic and market conditions in the countries in which we operate, including labour challenges and changes in foreign exchange and interest rates; changes to our credit ratings; cyber and information security, including the threat of data breaches, hacking, identity theft and corporate espionage, as well as the possibility of denial of service resulting from efforts targeted at causing system failure and service disruption; technology resilience, innovation and competition; failure of third parties to comply with their obligations to us; political conditions, including changes relating to, or affecting, economic or trade matters; disruptions of global supply chains; environmental and social risk, including climate change; the Canadian housing market and consumer leverage; inflationary pressures; changes in laws, including tax legislation and interpretation, or in supervisory expectations or requirements, including capital, interest rate and liquidity requirements and guidance, and the effect of such changes on funding costs and capital requirements; changes in monetary, fiscal or economic policy; weak, volatile or illiquid capital or credit markets; the level of competition in the geographic and business areas in which we operate; exposure to, and the resolution of, significant litigation or regulatory matters, the appeal of favourable outcomes and our ability to successfully appeal adverse outcomes of such matters and the timing, determination and recovery of amounts related to such matters; the accuracy and completeness of the information we obtain with respect to our customers and counterparties; our ability to execute our strategic plans, complete proposed acquisitions or dispositions and integrate acquisitions, including obtaining regulatory approvals, and realize any anticipated benefits from such plans and transactions; critical accounting estimates and judgments, and the effects of changes in accounting standards, rules and interpretations on these estimates; operational and infrastructure risks, including with respect to reliance on third parties; global capital markets activities; the emergence or continuation of widespread health emergencies or pandemics, and their impact on local, national or international economies, as well as their heightening of certain risks that may affect our future results; the possible effects on our business of war or terrorist activities; natural disasters, such as earthquakes or flooding, and disruptions to public infrastructure, such as transportation, communications, power or water supply; and our ability to anticipate and effectively manage risks arising from all of the foregoing factors.

We caution that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all possible factors. Other factors and risks could adversely affect our results. For more information, please refer to the discussion in the Risks That May Affect Future Results section, and the sections related to credit and counterparty, market, insurance, liquidity and funding, operational non-financial, legal and regulatory, strategic, environmental and social, and reputation risk in the Enterprise-Wide Risk Management section of BMO's 2024 Annual MD&A, as updated by quarterly reports, all of which outline certain key factors and risks that may affect our future results. Investors and others should carefully consider these factors and risks, as well as other uncertainties and potential events, and the inherent uncertainty of forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the organization or on its behalf, except as required by law. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is presented for the purpose of assisting shareholders and analysts in understanding our financial position as at and for the periods ended on the dates presented, as well as our strategic priorities and objectives, and may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Material economic assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained in this press release include those set out in the Economic Developments and Outlook and Allowance for Credit Losses sections of BMO's 2024 Annual MD&A, as updated by quarterly reports. Assumptions about the performance of the Canadian and U.S. economies, as well as overall market conditions and their combined effect on our business, are material factors we consider when determining our strategic priorities, objectives and expectations for our business. In determining our expectations for economic growth, we primarily consider historical economic data, past relationships between economic and financial variables, changes in government policies, and the risks to the domestic and global economy.

Internet: www.bmo.com     X: @BMOmedia

About BMO Financial Group
BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.41 trillion as of October 31, 2024. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society.

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bank-of-montreal-enters-into-automatic-securities-purchase-plan-302347703.html

SOURCE BMO Financial Group

FAQ

How many shares will BMO repurchase under its new buyback program?

BMO plans to repurchase up to 20 million common shares under the normal course issuer bid program.

What approvals does BMO need for its 2025 share buyback program?

BMO needs approval from both the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (OSFI) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).

How long will BMO's 2025 share buyback program last?

The program is expected to continue for up to one year after receiving TSX acceptance.

How will BMO determine the purchase price for shares under the buyback?

The purchase price will be the market price at the time of acquisition.

Who is BMO's broker for the automatic securities purchase plan?

BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. is the broker for the automatic securities purchase plan (ASPP).

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