BMO Financial Group Reports First Quarter 2021 Results
BMO Financial Group's First Quarter 2021 results, for the period ending January 31, 2021, showed significant growth with net income reaching $2,017 million, a 27% increase year-over-year. Adjusted EPS rose 28% to $3.03, driven by a 6% revenue increase and lower provisions for credit losses, now at $156 million. The Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio improved to 12.4%. The bank also announced a quarterly dividend of $1.06. CEO Darryl White highlighted ongoing operational momentum and strong performance across sectors, especially in the U.S.
- Net income increased by 27% to $2,017 million.
- Adjusted EPS rose by 28% to $3.03.
- Revenue grew by 6% compared to the prior year.
- Lower provisions for credit losses at $156 million, down from $349 million.
- ROE improved to 15.7%, up from 13.3%.
- Corporate Services reported a net loss of $143 million, an increase from $105 million.
BMO's First Quarter 2021 Report to Shareholders, including the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the period ended January 31, 2021, is available online at www.bmo.com/investorrelations and at www.sedar.com.
Financial Results Highlights
First Quarter 2021 Compared With First Quarter 2020:
- Net income of
$2,017 million , an increase of27% ; adjusted net income1 of$2,038 million , an increase of26% - Reported EPS2 of
$3.03 , an increase of28% ; adjusted EPS1,2 of$3.06 , an increase of27% - Provision for credit losses (PCL) of
$156 million , compared with$349 million - Reported net efficiency ratio3 of
56.7% , compared with60.8% ; adjusted net efficiency ratio1,3 of56.3% , compared with60.3% - ROE of
15.7% , compared with13.3% ; adjusted ROE1 of15.8% , compared with13.5% - Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio of
12.4% , an increase from11.4% in the prior year
TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - For the first quarter ended January 31, 2021, BMO Financial Group (TSX: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) recorded net income of
"We had a very strong start to the year, continuing to build on clear and consistent operating momentum to deliver first quarter adjusted net income of over
"In addition to our strong financial results this quarter, we were proud to be named as the top North American bank in Corporate Knights' 2021 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World and are pleased to be an early signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Banking. We remain resolute in the support of our customers and communities in the face of ongoing challenges related to the pandemic and are focused on helping them recover stronger as the economy rebounds."
"We have a diversified and resilient model, a strong capital position and good momentum across our businesses that are well-positioned for the evolving environment. We are executing against a strategy to accelerate long-term growth and deliver top-tier shareholder value," concluded Mr. White.
Reported net income increased
Return on equity (ROE) was
Concurrent with the release of results, BMO announced a second quarter 2021 dividend of
(1) | Results and measures in this document are presented on a GAAP basis. They are also presented on an adjusted basis that excludes the impact of certain items. Adjusted results and measures are non-GAAP and are detailed for all reported periods in the Non-GAAP Measures section, where such non-GAAP measures and their closest GAAP counterparts are disclosed. |
(2) | All Earnings per Share (EPS) measures in this document refer to diluted EPS, unless specified otherwise. EPS is calculated using net income after deducting total dividends on preferred shares and distributions payable on other equity instruments. |
(3) | On a basis that nets insurance claims, commissions and changes in policy benefit liabilities (CCPB) against insurance revenue. |
Note: All ratios and percentage changes in this document are based on unrounded numbers. |
First Quarter Performance Review
Canadian P&C
Reported and adjusted net income was
During the quarter, Canadian P&C and Visa Canada launched the new BMO eclipse Visa Infinite and BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards. The new cards are designed to meet the everyday lifestyle needs of Canadians by providing both accelerated earnings on key spending categories and increased flexibility and choice in redemptions.
U.S. P&C
Reported net income was
Reported net income was US
During the quarter, we launched BMO EMpower, a five-year, US
BMO Wealth Management
Reported net income was
BMO was recognized by Investment Week's Sustainable and ESG Investment Awards, winning Best Sustainable and ESG Research Team for the third consecutive year and Best Sustainable and ESG Equity Fund for its BMO Responsible Global Equity Fund. In addition, we entered into an agreement to divest our private banking business in Hong Kong and Singapore to J. Safra Sarasin Group. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first half of calendar 2021.
BMO Capital Markets
Reported net income was
During the quarter, we continued to support clients with our deep industry expertise and insights across different sectors. BMO Capital Markets acted as left lead arranger, joint bookrunner and administrative agent on US
Corporate Services
Corporate Services reported and adjusted net loss for the quarter was
Adjusted results in this First Quarter Performance Review section are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. Please refer to the Non-GAAP Measures section.
The order in which the impact on net income is discussed in this section, and elsewhere in the MD&A, follows the order of revenue, expenses and provision for credit losses, regardless of their relative impact.
Capital
BMO's Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Ratio was
Credit Quality
Total provision for credit losses was
Regulatory Filings
BMO's continuous disclosure materials, including interim filings, annual Management's Discussion and Analysis and audited annual consolidated financial statements, Annual Information Form and Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Circular, are available on our website at www.bmo.com/investorrelations, on the Canadian Securities Administrators' website at www.sedar.com, and on the EDGAR section of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov. Information contained in or otherwise accessible through our website (www.bmo.com), or any third party websites mentioned herein, does not form part of this document.
Caution
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts BMO's business, results of operations, reputation and financial performance and condition, including its regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, and credit ratings, as well as its impact on our customers, competitors and trading exposures, and the potential for loss from higher credit, counterparty and mark-to-market losses will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic and actions taken by governments, and governmental and regulatory authorities, which could vary by country and region, and other third parties in response to the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic may also impact our ability to achieve, or the timing to achieve, certain previously announced targets, goals and objectives. For additional information, refer to the Impact of COVID-19 section on page 8 and the Top and Emerging Risks That May Affect Future Results section on page 28 in our First Quarter 2021 Report to Shareholders.
The foregoing sections contain forward-looking statements. Please refer to the Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.
Bank of Montreal uses a unified branding approach that links all of the organization's member companies. Bank of Montreal, together with its subsidiaries, is known as BMO Financial Group. As such, in this document, the names BMO and BMO Financial Group mean Bank of Montreal, together with its subsidiaries. |
Non-GAAP Measures
Results and measures in this document are presented on a GAAP basis. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are in Canadian dollars and have been derived from financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). References to GAAP mean IFRS. They are also presented on an adjusted basis that excludes the impact of certain items, as set out in the table below. Please refer to the Foreign Exchange section in our First Quarter 2021 Report to Shareholders for a discussion of the effects of changes in exchange rates on BMO's results. Pre-provision pre-tax earnings (PPPT) is a non-GAAP measure, and is calculated as the difference between revenue, net of insurance claims, commissions and changes in policy benefit liabilities (CCPB), and non-interest expense. Management assesses performance on a reported basis and on an adjusted basis, and considers both to be useful in assessing underlying ongoing business performance. Presenting results on both bases provides readers with a better understanding of how management assesses results. It also permits readers to assess the impact of certain specified items on results for the periods presented, and to better assess results excluding those items that may not be reflective of ongoing results. As such, the presentation may facilitate readers' analysis of trends. Except as otherwise noted, management's discussion of changes in reported results in this document applies equally to changes in the corresponding adjusted results. Adjusted results and measures are non-GAAP and as such do not have standardized meanings under GAAP. They are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies and should not be viewed in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP results.
Non-GAAP Measures
(Canadian $ in millions, except as noted) | Q1-2021 | Q4-2020 | Q1-2020 |
Reported Results | |||
Revenue | 6,975 | 5,986 | 6,747 |
Insurance claims, commissions and changes in policy benefit liabilities (CCPB) | (601) | - | (716) |
Revenue, net of CCPB | 6,374 | 5,986 | 6,031 |
Total provision for credit losses | (156) | (432) | (349) |
Non-interest expense | (3,613) | (3,548) | (3,669) |
Income before income taxes | 2,605 | 2,006 | 2,013 |
Provision for income taxes | (588) | (422) | (421) |
Net income | 2,017 | 1,584 | 1,592 |
EPS ($) | 3.03 | 2.37 | 2.37 |
Adjusting Items (Pre-tax) (1) | |||
Acquisition integration costs (2) | (3) | (3) | (3) |
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (2) | (25) | (30) | (29) |
Adjusting items included in reported pre-tax income | (28) | (33) | (32) |
Adjusting Items (After tax) (1) | |||
Acquisition integration costs (2) | (2) | (3) | (2) |
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (2) | (19) | (23) | (23) |
Adjusting items included in reported net income after tax | (21) | (26) | (25) |
Impact on EPS ($) | (0.03) | (0.04) | (0.04) |
Adjusted Results | |||
Revenue | 6,975 | 5,986 | 6,747 |
Insurance claims, commissions and changes in policy benefit liabilities (CCPB) | (601) | - | (716) |
Revenue, net of CCPB | 6,374 | 5,986 | 6,031 |
Total provision for credit losses | (156) | (432) | (349) |
Non-interest expense | (3,585) | (3,515) | (3,637) |
Income before income taxes | 2,633 | 2,039 | 2,045 |
Provision for income taxes | (595) | (429) | (428) |
Net income | 2,038 | 1,610 | 1,617 |
EPS ($) | 3.06 | 2.41 | 2.41 |
(1) | Adjusting items are generally included in Corporate Services, with the exception of the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and certain acquisition integration costs, which are charged to the operating groups. |
(2) | These amounts were charged to the non-interest expense of the operating groups. Before-tax and after-tax amounts for each operating group are provided below. |
Adjusted results and measures in this table are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. |
Summary of Reported and Adjusted Results by Operating Group
(After-tax Canadian $ in millions) | Canadian P&C | U.S. P&C | Total P&C | BMO Wealth Management | BMO Capital | Corporate Services | Total Bank |
Q1-2021 | |||||||
Reported net income (loss) | 737 | 582 | 1,319 | 358 | 483 | (143) | 2,017 |
Acquisition integration costs (1) | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | 2 |
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (2) | - | 7 | 7 | 8 | 4 | - | 19 |
Adjusted net income (loss) | 737 | 589 | 1,326 | 366 | 489 | (143) | 2,038 |
Q4-2020 | |||||||
Reported net income (loss) | 647 | 324 | 971 | 320 | 379 | (86) | 1,584 |
Acquisition integration costs (1) | - | - | - | - | 3 | - | 3 |
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (2) | 1 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 5 | - | 23 |
Adjusted net income (loss) | 648 | 333 | 981 | 328 | 387 | (86) | 1,610 |
Q1-2020 | |||||||
Reported net income (loss) | 699 | 351 | 1,050 | 291 | 356 | (105) | 1,592 |
Acquisition integration costs (1) | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | 2 |
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (2) | - | 10 | 10 | 9 | 4 | - | 23 |
Adjusted net income (loss) | 699 | 361 | 1,060 | 300 | 362 | (105) | 1,617 |
(1) | KGS-Alpha and Clearpool acquisition integration costs before tax amounts of |
(2) | Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets before tax is charged to the non-interest expense of the operating groups. Canadian P&C amounts of $nil in Q1-2021, |
Adjusted results and measures in this table are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. |
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 document, 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 document may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to our objectives and priorities for fiscal 2021 and beyond, our strategies or future actions, our targets, expectations for our financial condition or share price, the regulatory environment in which we operate and the results of or outlook for our operations or for the Canadian, U.S. and international economies, our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its expected impact on our business, operations, earnings, results, and financial performance and condition, as well as its impact on our customers, competitors, reputation and trading exposures, and include statements of our management. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "will", "would", "should", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "goal", "target", "may" and "could."
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. The uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened this risk given the increased challenge in making assumptions, predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections. We caution readers of this document 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: the severity, duration and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on local, national or international economies, and its heightening of certain risks that may affect our future results; the possible impact on our business and operations of outbreaks of disease or illness that affect local, national or international economies; general economic and market conditions in the countries in which we operate; information, privacy and cyber 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; changes in monetary, fiscal, or economic policy, and tax legislation and interpretation; interest rate and currency value fluctuations, as well as benchmark interest rate reforms; technological changes and technology resiliency; political conditions, including changes relating to or affecting economic or trade matters; the Canadian housing market and consumer leverage; climate change and other environmental and social risks; weak, volatile or illiquid capital or credit markets; the level of competition in the geographic and business areas in which we operate; changes in laws or in supervisory expectations or requirements, including capital, interest rate and liquidity requirements and guidance, and the effect of such changes on funding costs; judicial or regulatory proceedings; the accuracy and completeness of the information we obtain with respect to our customers and counterparties; failure of third parties to comply with their obligations to us; our ability to execute our strategic plans and to complete proposed acquisitions or dispositions, including obtaining regulatory approvals; critical accounting estimates and the effect of changes to accounting standards, rules and interpretations on these estimates; operational and infrastructure risks, including with respect to reliance on third parties; changes to our credit ratings; global capital markets activities; the possible effects on our business of war or terrorist activities; natural disasters 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, legal and regulatory, strategic, environmental and social, and reputation risk, in the Enterprise-Wide Risk Management section that starts on page 73 of BMO's 2020 Annual Report, and the Risk Management section on page 28 of our First Quarter 2021 Report to Shareholders, 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 document is presented for the purpose of assisting our shareholders 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 document are set out in the Economic Developments and Outlook section on page 18 of BMO's 2020 Annual Report and updated in the Economic Review and Outlook section set forth in our First Quarter 2021 Report to Shareholders, as well as in the Allowance for Credit Losses section on page 114 of BMO's 2020 Annual Report and the Allowance for Credit Losses section set forth in our First Quarter 2021 Report to Shareholders. 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. Please refer to the Economic Review and Outlook and Allowance for Credit Losses sections in our First Quarter 2021 Report to Shareholders.
INVESTOR AND MEDIA PRESENTATION
Investor Presentation Materials
Interested parties are invited to visit BMO's website at www.bmo.com/investorrelations to review the 2020 Annual MD&A and audited annual consolidated financial statements, quarterly presentation materials and supplementary financial and regulatory information package.
Quarterly Conference Call and Webcast Presentations
Interested parties are also invited to listen to our quarterly conference call on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 7.15 a.m. (ET). The call may be accessed by telephone at 416-406-0743 (from within Toronto) or 1-800-898-3989 (toll-free outside Toronto), entering Passcode: 1365804#. A replay of the conference call can be accessed until Tuesday, March 23, 2021, by calling 905-694-9451 (from within Toronto) or 1-800-408-3053 (toll-free outside Toronto) and entering Passcode: 9195676#.
A live webcast of the call can be accessed on our website at www.bmo.com/investorrelations. A replay can also be accessed on the website.
Shareholder Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase | For other shareholder information, please contact |
Plan (the Plan) | Bank of Montreal |
Average market price as defined under the Plan | Shareholder Services |
November 2020: | Corporate Secretary's Department |
December 2020: | One First Canadian Place, 21st Floor |
January 2021: | Toronto, Ontario M5X 1A1 |
Telephone: (416) 867-6785 | |
For dividend information, change in shareholder address | Fax: (416) 867-6793 |
or to advise of duplicate mailings, please contact | E-mail: corp.secretary@bmo.com |
Computershare Trust Company of Canada | |
100 University Avenue, 8th Floor | For further information on this document, please contact |
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1 | Bank of Montreal |
Telephone: 1-800-340-5021 (Canada and the United States) | Investor Relations Department |
Telephone: (514) 982-7800 (international) | P.O. Box 1, One First Canadian Place, 10th Floor |
Fax: 1-888-453-0330 (Canada and the United States) | Toronto, Ontario M5X 1A1 |
Fax: (416) 263-9394 (international) | |
E-mail: service@computershare.com | To review financial results and regulatory filings and disclosures online, |
BMO's 2020 Annual MD&A, audited consolidated financial statements, annual information form and annual report on Form 40-F (filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) are available online at www.bmo.com/investorrelations and at www.sedar.com. Printed copies of the bank's complete 2020 audited consolidated financial statements are available free of charge upon request at 416-867-6785 or corp.secretary@bmo.com.
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Annual Meeting 2021
The next Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held virtually on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.
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SOURCE BMO Financial Group
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