Businessweek

Bank of Montreal, a diversified financial services company, provides a range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services in Canada. As of October 31, 2012, the company had approximately 12 million customers, maintained approximately 1,570 bank branches in Canada and the United States, and operated internationally in major financial markets and trading areas through its offices in 24 other jurisdictions, including the United States. The company conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking (P&C) comprised of P&C Canada and P&C U.S.; Private Client Group (PCG); and BMO Capital Markets. P&C Canada operates across Canada, offering banking, financing, and investing solutions, as well as card and payment services. PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL BANKING CANADA The company offers a range of products and services to approximately seven million customers in two customer segments – personal banking and commercial banking. These include solutions for everyday banking, financing, investing, credit cards and creditor insurance, as well as various commercial products and financial advisory services. It delivers services through its network of BMO Bank of Montreal branches, on the telephone, online and mobile, and automated banking machines (ABMs). Personal Banking provides financial solutions for everyday banking, financing, investing, credit cards and creditor insurance needs. Commercial Banking provides its small business, medium-sized enterprise and mid-market banking clients with a suite of commercial products and financial advisory services. Strategy: The company aims to succeed in the Canadian market by delivering a customer experience differentiated on guidance across all channels and by utilizing its highly productive distribution network. PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL BANKING U.S The company’s retail and small and mid-sized business banking customers are served through its 630 branches, contact centre, online and mobile banking platforms and approximately 1,370 ABMs across 8 states. The company delivers financial expertise to its commercial banking customers through a range of lending and treasury management services and products, offering specific industry knowledge and strategic capital markets solutions. Personal Banking offers a range of products and services to individuals, as well as small and mid-sized business customers, including deposits, mortgages, consumer credit, business lending, credit cards and other banking services. Commercial Banking provides larger businesses with a range of banking products and services, including lending, deposits, treasury management and risk management. Segments of focus include corporate finance, diversified industries, financial institutions, food and consumer, auto dealership finance, equipment finance, healthcare, agriculture and commercial real estate. Strategy: The company’s strategy includes the following: Establish a position as a leader in commercial banking in the U.S. midwest through a combination of local access, sector and product expertise and treasury management service; deliver a customer experience and improve retail banking profitability by focusing on key segments and products, while continuing to increase overall sales and improve channel capabilities and productivity; and enhance the confidence of its premier services customers by helping them plan for their future with simplified and personalized assistance delivered by its knowledgeable bankers. PCG PCG, the company’s group of wealth management businesses, serves a range of client segments from mainstream to ultra-high net worth and institutional, with an offering of wealth management products and solutions including insurance products. PCG operates in Canada and the United States, as well as in Asia and Europe. BMO Nesbitt Burns, the company’s full-service investing business in Canada, offers comprehensive and client-focused investment and wealth advisory services. BMO InvestorLine, the company’s online investing business in Canada, offers clients a range of tools to help self-directed investors plan, resea