Bank of Montreal - BMO STOCK NEWS

BMO Financial Group (TSX: BMO) has received all necessary regulatory approvals for its acquisition of Bank of the West from BNP Paribas, set to close on February 1, 2023. This acquisition will expand BMO's U.S. presence, adding approximately 1.8 million customers and over 1,000 branches in 32 states. Following the deal, BMO will provide seamless services through both institutions until September 2023 when full integration is expected. Two new leaders, Nandita Bakhshi and Claudia Fan Munce, are joining BMO's board, enhancing its leadership capabilities.

BMO employees have raised a record-breaking $31 million for United Way and various charities across North America during the 2022 Employee Giving Campaign, exceeding the target by $5 million. This achievement reflects the commitment of 88% of BMO employees to support vulnerable communities amid rising living costs. Over the past decade, the campaign has generated over $200 million, highlighting BMO's dedication to corporate social responsibility. CEO Darryl White emphasized the significant social impact of these contributions.

Bank of Montreal (BMO) has completed its common shares offering, raising approximately C$2.6 billion. The offering comprised C$1.6 billion from public sales and C$1.0 billion from a private placement, with a total of 13,575,750 shares issued. The private placement to BNP Paribas is linked to BMO's acquisition of Bank of the West and is expected to yield an additional C$750 million, bringing total gross proceeds to about C$3.35 billion. The shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.

BMO Financial Group announced an increase in its US prime lending rate from 7.00% to 7.50%, effective December 15, 2022. This adjustment reflects the bank's response to ongoing economic conditions. BMO is a major financial services provider in North America, holding $1.14 trillion in total assets as of October 31, 2022, and serves around 12 million customers.

Bank of Montreal (TSX: BMO) announced a public offering and concurrent private placement of common shares targeting gross proceeds of approximately C$3.15 billion. This comes following OSFI's decision to raise the Domestic Stability Buffer to 3.0%, effective February 1, 2023. The Bank plans to use the funds to enhance its capital position and meet new regulatory requirements. The public offering includes 11,805,000 shares at C$118.60 each, while the private placement consists of 14,755,477 shares for institutional investors, expected to close by December 16, 2022.

BMO has partnered with Extend, becoming the first organization in Canada to enhance Corporate Card offerings with virtual card capabilities. This collaboration enables rapid onboarding and customizable payment solutions for clients across North America. Extend's platform allows employees to manage vendor payments, track expenses, and automate reconciliation processes. Juniper Research anticipates a tripling of charge volume on virtual cards in four years, indicating the growing demand for such solutions. This move aligns with BMO's Digital First strategy to leverage emerging technologies for improved financial services.

BMO announces the return of its #WraptheGood campaign, designed to support women-owned businesses during the holiday season. This initiative features festive wrapping paper and a decorative ornament that serve as ad space for these businesses and is expanded to include participants from the U.S. and Quebec. The colorful paper showcases numerous products, complemented by a Shoppable Ornament linking consumers to vendors' websites. Additionally, BMO is set to announce $150,000 in grants for women-owned businesses in February 2023, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the financial progress of women entrepreneurs.