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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 30, 2011) - BMO Financial Group announced today it is hiring a total of 150 small business banking specialists this year to specifically serve the unique personal and business needs of Canadian entrepreneurs.

"Small business is the engine of innovation and job creation in Canada, and we are making a commitment to enhance aggressively our support of this sector," said Frank Techar, President and CEO, Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal. "We expect a commercial led economic recovery and believe we are well positioned to be the bank for small business." Techar added that BMO has the number two position in business banking market share at 20.4 per cent as at September 2010.

Today's announcement follows a successful trial of BMO's new small business program in British Columbia. A total of 60 banking specialists have been hired in Vancouver and Victoria. BMO plans to hire an additional 90 in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces throughout 2011.

The specially-trained employees will be in BMO Bank of Montreal branches and cater to the needs of small businesses with sales up to $5 million.

"Business owners told us they want to focus on their business, not on the ins and outs of banking," said Gail Cocker, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal.

"We will have dedicated banking specialists in our branches who understand the unique challenges of the small business owner. Through in-depth conversations with our customers, these experts will be able to help business owners find financial solutions for both their business and personal needs," added Ms. Cocker.

BMO has a history of being among the most consistent small business lenders in Canada throughout the economic cycle. Lenders in the field have local authority and can respond immediately to customers' needs.