BMO launches gold deposit program that makes it simple for Canadians to purchase and hold physical gold bullion

Good news for the economy is bad for gold

TORONTO, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 09/22/11 — Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

BMO Financial Group is making it simple for Canadians to purchase and hold physical gold bullion. With the launch of BMO’s Gold Deposit Program, clients will be able to purchase physical gold using a delivery and custody process that is simple, efficient and cost effective. Physical allocated gold deposits are not new to Canada but easy access for clients has always been a challenge. BMO is offering this unique program exclusively through BMO Nesbitt Burns Investment Advisors, or through in-branch Resident Investment Advisors.

The BMO Gold Deposit Program allows Canadians to purchase gold and either have it delivered to their front door, or held in a custodial account operated by BMO Nesbitt Burns at an approved third party storage facility.

“We created this program to serve the needs of clients,” said Simon Carling, Managing Director, BMO Capital Markets. “In these volatile times, having the ability to access and hold physical gold on deposit through BMO Nesbitt Burns’ custody account is an option investors may find appealing. Our program is designed to provide system-wide, secure and easy access.”

The gold can be purchased from any of BMO Nesbitt Burns’ 1,350 investment advisors. Purchases are denominated in Canadian dollars and feature daily liquidity and physical withdrawal and delivery options. There are also no annual storage fees, no annual MER and the minimum purchase is one ounce. Withdrawal and delivery fees may apply.

“All of the gold in the deposit program is fully allocated and physical, which means that it is segregated and title to the gold is unencumbered and secure for the account holders. So clients actually do ‘hold the gold’,” added Mr. Carling. “The program will not use financial gold certificates that are subject to an institution’s credit worthiness, unallocated gold, derivatives, exchange traded products, gold stocks, or other gold securities. If purchasers are looking for a simple and efficient way to buy and hold physical gold on deposit in Canada, I think this is it.”

To learn more, customers should contact their BMO Nesbitt Burns Investment Advisor and obtain a copy of the Disclosure Statement and Terms and Conditions for the Program. Neither Bank of Montreal, BMO Nesbitt Burns or any of their respective affiliates provide any guarantee as to the value of gold under this Program. The gold under this Program will not constitute deposits that are insured under the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act or any other deposit insurance regime.

About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly-diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $477 billion as at July 31, 2011, and more than 47,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.

About BMO Nesbitt Burns

Backed by the experience, stability and resources of BMO Financial Group, BMO Nesbitt Burns is a full-service investment firm with an extensive network of approximately 1,350 Investment Advisors at 76 branches across Canada. The origins of BMO Nesbitt Burns’ predecessor firms date back to 1912. In 1987, BMO Bank of Montreal acquired Nesbitt Thomson, then one of Canada’s oldest and most respected investment houses. In 1994, BMO Bank of Montreal also acquired Burns Fry, one of the largest dealers of Canadian equities and debt securities. Nesbitt Thomson and Burns Fry then merged to become BMO Nesbitt Burns.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20110920-Simon%20Carling.jpg.

Contacts:
Media Contacts:
Beja Rodeck, Toronto
(416) 867-4924
[email protected]

Martha McInnis, Toronto
(416) 867-4914
[email protected]

Sarah Bensadoun, Montreal
(514) 877-8224
[email protected]

Laurie Grant, Vancouver
(604) 665-7596
[email protected]