BMO Financial Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2018 Results

Fourth Quarter 2018

Financial Results Highlights

Fourth Quarter 2018 Compared with Fourth Quarter 2017:

• Net income of $1,695 million, up 38%, including a benefit from the remeasurement of an employee benefit liability² in the current quarter; adjusted net income¹ of $1,529 million, up 17%
• EPS³ of $2.57, up 42%; adjusted EPS^1,3 of $2.32, up 19%     
• ROE of 16.1%, up from 12.1%; adjusted ROE¹ of 14.5%, up from 12.9%
• Provision for credit losses⁴ (PCL) of $175 million, compared with $202 million in the prior year
• Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio of 11.3%
• Dividend increased by $0.04 from the prior quarter to $1.00, up 8% from the prior year

Fiscal 2018 Compared with Fiscal 2017:

• Net income of $5,450 million, up 2% including the impact of the revaluation of our U.S. net deferred tax asset in the current year⁵; adjusted net income¹ of $5,979 million, up 9%
• EPS³ of $8.17, up 3%; adjusted EPS^1,3 of $8.99, up 10%
• ROE of 13.2%, compared with 13.3%; adjusted ROE¹ of 14.6%, up from 13.7%
• PCL of $662 million⁴, including a $38 million recovery on performing loans, compared with $822 million on an adjusted basis and $746 million on a reported basis

TORONTO, Dec. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - For the fourth quarter ended October 31, 2018, BMO Financial Group (TSX:BMO) (NYSE:BMO) recorded net income of $1,695 million or $2.57 per share on a reported basis, and net income of $1,529 million or $2.32 per share on an adjusted basis.

"BMO's fourth quarter results demonstrated continued positive momentum and ended a successful year in which the bank delivered $6 billion in adjusted earnings and growth in adjusted earnings per share of 10%, led by strong performance in our Personal and Commercial banking businesses," said Darryl White, Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group.

"This year, we continued to make good progress against our strategic objectives. We grew our U.S. segment at an accelerated pace, increased momentum in our Commercial banking business, adding relationships, loans and deposits, and delivered real value to our personal customers with new and enhanced digital capabilities. We've invested in and grown our businesses, and at the same time, improved efficiency, returned capital to our shareholders through increased dividends and share buybacks, and maintained a strong CET 1 ratio of 11.3%.

"Looking ahead to 2019, we will continue to build on this strong foundation and our differentiating strengths, including an integrated North American platform and deep relationships in our wealth, capital markets and P&C businesses, to deliver sustainable and competitive long-term performance," concluded Mr. White.

Reported net income in the current quarter included a benefit of $203 million after-tax ($277 million pre-tax) from the remeasurement of an employee benefit liability, which was excluded from adjusted earnings. Reported net income in the current year also includes a $425 million charge related to the revaluation of our U.S. net deferred tax asset⁵ which was also excluded from adjusted earnings. Other adjusting items are included in the Non-GAAP Measures table on page 5.

 

Return on equity (ROE) was 16.1%, up from 12.1% in the prior year and adjusted ROE was 14.5%, up from 12.9%. Return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) was 19.5%, compared with 14.8% in the prior year and adjusted ROTCE was 17.3%, compared with 15.5%.

Concurrent with the release of results, BMO announced a first quarter 2019 dividend of $1.00 per common share, up $0.04 or 4% from the prior quarter and up $0.07 per share or 8% from the prior year. The quarterly dividend of $1.00 per common share is equivalent to an annual dividend of $4.00 per common share.

BMO's 2018 audited annual consolidated financial statements and accompanying management discussion & analysis (MD&A), is available online at www.bmo.com/investorrelations and at www.sedar.com.

Fourth Quarter Operating Segment Overview

Canadian P&C
Reported fourth quarter net income of $675 million and adjusted net income of $676 million both increased $51 million or 8% from the prior year. Adjusted net income excludes the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Results reflect revenue growth and lower provision for credit losses, partially offset by higher expenses.

During the quarter, we continued to enhance our digital capabilities as we launched Business Xpress, a small business lending platform that speeds up the loan approval process by 95% for small business loans. The platform uses data analytics technology and best-in-class automatic adjudication strategies providing a faster and more convenient way for Canada's small businesses to obtain capital.

U.S. P&C
Reported net income of $372 million increased $102 million or 37% and adjusted net income of $383 million increased $102 million or 36% from the prior year. Adjusted net income excludes the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.

Reported net income of US$285 million increased US$71 million or 33% and adjusted net income of US$294 million increased US$71 million or 31% from the prior year, due to good revenue growth and lower taxes from the benefit of U.S. tax reform and a favourable U.S. tax item, partially offset by higher expenses and higher provisions for credit losses.

During the quarter, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation released its annual deposit market share report and we improved our market share and maintained our ranking of second place in the Chicago and Milwaukee markets, and fourth place within our core footprint, which includes Illinois, Kansas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana, and Minnesota.

BMO Wealth Management
Reported net income of $219 million increased $44 million or 25% and adjusted net income of $229 million increased $40 million or 21% from the prior year. Adjusted net income excludes the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Traditional wealth reported net income of $192 million was unchanged and adjusted net income of $202 million decreased $4 million or 2% from the prior year, as business growth and lower taxes were more than offset by a legal provision and higher expenses. Insurance net income of $27 million was below trend but increased $44 million from the prior year, primarily due to less elevated reinsurance claims in the current year, with this partially offset by unfavourable market movements in the current quarter relative to favourable market movements in the prior year.

BMO Global Asset Management was named the Best Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Research Team in the Investment Week Sustainable & ESG Investment Awards 2018. This award recognizes our longstanding commitment and leadership in responsible investing, and our belief that prudent management of ESG issues can have an important impact on the creation of long-term investor value.

BMO Capital Markets
Reported net income of $298 million decreased $18 million or 6%, and adjusted net income of $309 million decreased $7 million or 2% from a year ago, as higher Investment and Corporate Banking revenue and lower taxes were more than offset by higher expenses and lower Trading Products revenue. Adjusted net income excludes acquisition integration costs and the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.

On September 1, 2018, we completed the acquisition of KGS-Alpha Capital Markets (KGS-Alpha), a U.S. fixed income broker-dealer specializing in U.S. mortgage and asset-backed securities in the institutional investor market.

Corporate Services
Reported net income for the quarter was $131 million, compared with a net loss of $158 million in the prior year. Corporate Services adjusted net loss for the quarter was $68 million, compared with an adjusted net loss of $102 million in the prior year. Adjusted results increased mainly due to higher revenue excluding the teb adjustment and lower expenses. The adjusted results exclude a benefit of $203 million after-tax from the remeasurement of an employee benefit liability in the current period, a restructuring charge in the prior year, and acquisition integration costs in both periods.

Adjusted results in this Operating Segment Overview section are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. Please see the Non-GAAP Measures section.

Capital
BMO's Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Ratio was 11.3% at October 31, 2018. The CET1 Ratio decreased from 11.4% at the end of the third quarter, as retained earnings growth, net of share repurchases, was more than offset by higher risk-weighted assets, including an acquisition.

Provision for Credit Losses
The total provision for credit losses was $175 million, a decrease of $27 million from the prior year. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans of $177 million decreased $25 million from $202 million in the prior year, primarily due to lower provisions in the P&C businesses and higher net recoveries in BMO Capital Markets and Corporate Services. There was a $2 million net recovery of credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter.

Caution
The foregoing sections contain forward-looking statements. Please see the Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.

Regulatory Filings
Our continuous disclosure materials, including our 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 SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Financial Review

The Financial Review commentary is as of December 4, 2018. The material that precedes this section comprises part of this Financial Review. The Financial Review should be read in conjunction with the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the period ended October 31, 2018, included in this document, as well as the audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2018, and the MD&A for fiscal 2018.

The 2018 Annual MD&A includes a comprehensive discussion of our businesses, strategies and objectives, and can be accessed on our website at www.bmo.com/investorrelations. Readers are also encouraged to visit the site to view other quarterly financial information.

Bank of Montreal's management, under the supervision of the CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness, as of October 31, 2018, of Bank of Montreal's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators) and has concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended October 31, 2018, which materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Because of inherent limitations, disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements.

As in prior quarters, Bank of Montreal's Audit and Conduct Review Committee reviewed this document and Bank of Montreal's Board of Directors approved the document prior to its release.

Financial Highlights

 

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 they have been derived from our audited annual consolidated 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 following table. Results and measures that exclude the impact of Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate movements on our U.S. segment are non-GAAP measures (please see the Foreign Exchange section on page 7 for a discussion of the effects of changes in exchange rates on our results). 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, as well as comparisons with our competitors. 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

 

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 2019 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, 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. 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: general economic and market conditions in the countries in which we operate; the Canadian housing market, weak, volatile or illiquid capital and/or credit markets; interest rate and currency value fluctuations; changes in monetary, fiscal, or economic policy and tax legislation and interpretation; 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 and integrate acquisitions, 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; political conditions, including changes relating to or affecting economic or trade matters; global capital markets activities; the possible effects on our business of war or terrorist activities; outbreaks of disease or illness that affect local, national or international economies; natural disasters and disruptions to public infrastructure, such as transportation, communications, power or water supply; technological changes; information and cyber security, including the threat of 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; 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 see the discussion in the Risks That May Affect Future Results section on page 79 of BMO's 2018 Annual MD&A, and the sections related to credit and counterparty, market, insurance, liquidity and funding, operational, model, legal and regulatory, business, strategic, environmental and social, and reputation risk, in the Enterprise-Wide Risk Management section on page 78 of BMO's 2018 Annual MD&A, 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 30 of BMO's Annual MD&A. 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, both broadly and in the financial services sector, we primarily consider historical economic data provided by governments, historical relationships between economic and financial variables, and the risks to the domestic and global economy.

Foreign Exchange
The Canadian dollar equivalents of BMO's U.S. results that are denominated in U.S. dollars increased relative to the third quarter of 2018 and the fourth quarter of 2017 due to the stronger U.S. dollar. The table below indicates the relevant average Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rates and the impact of changes in the rates on our U.S. segment results. References in this document to the impact of the U.S. dollar do not include U.S.-dollar-denominated amounts recorded outside of BMO's U.S. segment.

Economically, our U.S. dollar income stream was unhedged to changes in foreign exchange rates during the current and prior year. We regularly determine whether to execute hedging transactions to mitigate the impact of foreign exchange rate movements on net income.

See the Enterprise-Wide Capital Management section on page 69 of the 2018 Annual MD&A for a discussion of the impact that changes in foreign exchange rates can have on our capital position. Changes in foreign exchange rates will also affect accumulated other comprehensive income, primarily from the translation of our investments in foreign operations.

This Foreign Exchange section contains forward-looking statements. Please see the Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements.

Effects of Changes in Exchange Rates on BMO's U.S. Segment Reported and Adjusted Results

 

Net Income
Q4 2018 vs Q4 2017
Reported net income was $1,695 million, up $468 million or 38% from the prior year. Adjusted net income was $1,529 million, up $220 million or 17% from the prior year. Adjusted net income excludes a benefit of $203 million after-tax from a remeasurement of an employee benefit liability in the current year, a restructuring charge in the prior year, and the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and acquisition integration costs in both periods. EPS of $2.57 was up $0.76 or 42% from the prior year. Adjusted EPS of $2.32 was up $0.38 or 19%.

Results reflect strong growth in U.S. P&C, good performance in Canadian P&C and a lower Corporate Services loss, partially offset by lower income in BMO Capital Markets. Wealth Management results increased, largely reflecting less elevated reinsurance claims in the current year.

Q4 2018 vs Q3 2018
Reported net income was up $159 million or 10% and adjusted net income was down $36 million or 2% from the prior quarter. Adjusted net income excludes the remeasurement benefit in the current quarter and the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and acquisition integration costs in both periods. EPS was up $0.26 or 11% and adjusted EPS was down $0.04 or 2%.

Results reflect higher income in the P&C businesses and BMO Capital Markets, more than offset by lower income in Wealth Management and Corporate Services.

Adjusted results in this Net Income section are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. Please see the Non-GAAP Measures section.

Revenue
Q4 2018 vs Q4 2017
Revenue of $5,922 million increased $267 million or 5% from the prior year, or 4% excluding the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar. On a basis that nets insurance claims, commissions and changes in policy benefit liabilities (CCPB) against insurance revenue (net revenue), revenue of $5,532 million increased $450 million or 9%, or 8% excluding the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar. Revenue increased in all operating groups compared with the prior year.

Net interest income of $2,669 million increased $134 million or 5%, or $100 million or 4% excluding the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar. Net interest income, excluding trading of $2,774 million increased $187 million or 7%, largely due to higher deposit and loan volumes in the P&C businesses. Average earning assets of $711.7 billion increased $69.1 billion or 11%, or 9% excluding the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar, due to loan growth, higher securities, higher securities borrowed or purchased under resale agreements and increased cash resources. BMO's overall net interest margin decreased 8 basis points, and 7 basis points on an excluding trading basis, primarily driven by lower spreads in BMO Capital Markets, mainly due to higher volumes of lower spread assets.

Net non-interest revenue of $2,863 million increased $316 million or 12%. Excluding trading revenue, net non-interest revenue increased $141 million or 6%, with increases in most non-interest revenue categories.

Gross insurance revenue decreased $144 million from the prior year due to increases in long-term interest rates decreasing the fair value of investments in the current year, compared with decreases in long-term interest rates increasing the fair value of investments in the prior year and weaker equity markets in the current year, partially offset by higher annuity sales. Insurance revenue can experience variability arising from fluctuations in the fair value of insurance assets. The investments which support policy benefit liabilities comprise predominantly fixed income and some equity assets. These investments are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in insurance revenue in the Consolidated Statement of Income. These fair value changes are largely offset by changes in the fair value of policy benefit liabilities, the impact of which is reflected in CCPB, as discussed on page 10. We generally focus on analyzing revenue net of CCPB given the extent to which insurance revenue can vary and that this variability is largely offset in CCPB.

Q4 2018 vs Q3 2018
Revenue increased $102 million or 2% from the prior quarter. Net revenue decreased $19 million as lower Wealth Management revenue was partially offset by growth in other businesses.

Net interest income of $2,669 million increased $62 million or 2%, compared with the prior quarter. Net interest income excluding trading of $2,774 million increased $43 million or 2%, compared with the prior quarter, mainly driven by higher deposit and loan volumes in the P&C businesses. Average earning assets increased $19.6 billion or 3%, largely driven by higher securities, loan growth and increased cash resources. BMO's overall net interest margin of 1.49% was unchanged. On an excluding trading basis, net interest margin decreased 2 basis points to 1.84% mainly due to higher volumes of lower spread assets in BMO Capital Markets.

Net non-interest revenue decreased $81 million or 3%. Excluding trading revenue, net non-interest revenue decreased $55 million or 2%, primarily due to lower net insurance revenue and underwriting and advisory fees.

Gross insurance revenue increased $58 million due to higher annuity sales in the current quarter, partially offset by increases in long-term interest rates decreasing the fair value of investments in the current quarter, compared with the prior quarter and weaker equity markets in the current quarter. The increase in insurance revenue was largely offset by higher insurance claims, commissions and changes in policy benefit liabilities as discussed on page 10.

Net interest income and non-interest revenue are detailed in the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Provision for Credit Losses
Effective the first quarter of 2018, the bank prospectively adopted IFRS 9, Financial Instruments (IFRS 9). Under IFRS 9, we refer to the provision for credit losses on impaired loans and the provision for credit losses on performing loans. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans under IFRS 9, is consistent with the specific provision under IAS 39 in prior years. The provision for credit losses on performing loans replaced the collective provision under IAS 39. Refer to the Changes in Accounting Policy section on page 121 of BMO's Annual MD&A for an explanation of the provision for credit losses. Prior periods have not been restated.

Q4 2018 vs Q4 2017
The total provision for credit losses was $175 million, a decrease of $27 million from the prior year. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans of $177 million decreased $25 million from $202 million in the prior year, primarily due to lower provisions in the P&C businesses and net recoveries in BMO Capital Markets and Corporate Services, compared with provisions in the prior year. There was a decrease for credit losses on performing loans of $2 million, as net recoveries of credit losses in Canadian P&C, BMO Capital Markets, and Corporate Services were largely offset by provisions in U.S P&C.

Q4 2018 vs Q3 2018
The total provision for credit losses was down $11 million from the prior quarter. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans was flat at $177 million. There was a $2 million net recovery of credit losses on performing loans in the quarter, compared with a provision for credit losses on performing loans of $9 million in the prior quarter.

Provision for Credit Losses by Operating Group ⁽¹⁾

 

Provision for Credit Losses Performance Ratios

 

Impaired Loans
Total gross impaired loans (GIL) of $1,936 million at the end of the current quarter, down from $2,220 million in the prior year, with the largest decrease in impaired loans in service industries, and the oil and gas sector. GIL decreased $140 million from $2,076 million in the third quarter of 2018.

Factors contributing to the change in GIL are outlined in the following table. Loans classified as impaired during the quarter totalled $443 million, down from $522 million in the third quarter of 2018 and $527 million in the prior year.

Changes in Gross Impaired Loans (GIL) and Acceptances ⁽¹⁾

 

Insurance Claims, Commissions and Changes in Policy Benefit Liabilities
Insurance claims, commissions and changes in policy benefit liabilities (CCPB) were $390 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, a decrease of $183 million from $573 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 due to the impact of increases in long-term interest rates decreasing the fair value of policy benefit liabilities in the current quarter, compared with decreases in long-term interest rates increasing the fair value of policy benefit liabilities in the prior year, less elevated reinsurance claims in the current year and the impact of weaker equity markets in the current year, partially offset by higher annuity sales. CCPB increased $121 million from $269 million in the third quarter of 2018, due to the impact of higher annuity sales and elevated reinsurance claims in the current quarter, partially offset by higher increases in long-term interest rates decreasing the fair value of policy benefit liabilities in the current quarter, compared with the prior quarter and the impact of weaker equity markets in the current quarter. The changes related to the fair value of policy benefit liabilities and annuity sales were largely offset in revenue.

Non-Interest Expense
Reported non-interest expense of $3,224 million decreased $151 million or 4% from the prior year. Adjusted non-interest expense of $3,452 million increased $194 million or 6%, or 5% excluding the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar, largely reflecting higher employee-related expenses, including an acquisition, higher technology costs and a gain on sale of an office building in the prior year. Adjusted non-interest expense excludes a benefit of $277 million pre-tax in the current quarter from the remeasurement of an employee benefit liability as a result of an amendment to our other employee future benefits plan for certain employees that was announced in the fourth quarter of 2018, a restructuring charge of $59 million in the prior year and acquisition integration costs and the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets in both periods.

Reported non-interest expense decreased $162 million or 5% from the third quarter of 2018, reflecting the benefit in the current quarter. Adjusted non-interest expense increased $102 million or 3%, with increases in most expense categories.

Reported operating leverage on a net revenue basis was positive 13.4% year-over-year. Adjusted operating leverage on a net revenue basis was positive 2.9% year-over-year.

The reported efficiency ratio was 54.4% compared with 59.7% in the prior year and was 58.3% on a net revenue basis, compared with 66.4% in the prior year. The adjusted efficiency ratio was 58.3% compared with 57.6% in the prior year and was 62.4% on a net revenue basis, compared with 64.1% in the prior year.

Non-interest expense is detailed in the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Adjusted results in this Non-Interest Expense section are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. Please see the Non-GAAP Measures section.

Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes of $438 million increased $160 million from the fourth quarter of 2017 and decreased $5 million from the third quarter of 2018. The effective tax rate for the quarter was 20.6%, compared with 18.5% in the prior year and 22.4% in the third quarter of 2018.

The adjusted provision for income taxes of $376 million increased $63 million from the prior year and decreased $74 million from the third quarter of 2018. The adjusted effective tax rate was 19.7% in the current quarter, compared with 19.3% in the prior year and 22.4% in the third quarter of 2018. The higher reported and adjusted effective tax rates in the current quarter relative to the fourth quarter of 2017 were primarily due to lower tax-exempt income from securities and changes in earnings mix, partially offset by a favourable U.S. tax item and the benefit of U.S. tax reform. The lower reported and adjusted effective tax rates in the current quarter relative to the third quarter of 2018 were primarily due to a favourable U.S. tax item.

On a taxable equivalent basis (teb), the reported effective tax rate for the quarter was 23.0%, compared with 27.1% in the prior year and 24.7% in the third quarter of 2018. On a teb basis, the adjusted effective tax rate for the quarter was 22.5%, compared with 27.2% in the prior year and 24.7% in the third quarter of 2018.

Adjusted results in this Income Taxes section are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. Please see the Non-GAAP Measures Section.

Capital Management
Fourth Quarter 2018 Regulatory Capital Review

BMO's Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Ratio was 11.3% at October 31, 2018.

The CET1 Ratio decreased from 11.4% at the end of the third quarter and at October 31, 2017, as retained earnings growth was more than offset by higher RWA and the impact of share buybacks.

CET1 Capital at October 31, 2018, was $32.7 billion, up from $31.7 billion at July 31, 2018, mainly due to higher retained earnings, net of share repurchases, and the impact of foreign exchange movements on accumulated other comprehensive income. CET1 Capital was up from $30.6 billion at October 31, 2017, largely driven by retained earnings growth net of share repurchases.

CET 1 Capital RWA were $289.2 billion at October 31, 2018, up from $277.5 billion at July 31, 2018 and $269.5 billion at October 31, 2017, driven by business growth, including the impact of the acquisition of KGS-Alpha, and the impact of foreign exchange movements, partially offset by changes in asset quality.

The bank's Tier 1 and Total Capital Ratios were 12.9% and 15.2%, respectively, at October 31, 2018, compared with 12.9% and 14.9%, respectively, at July 31, 2018. The Tier 1 Capital Ratio was unchanged as the factors impacting the CET1 Ratio were largely offset by the issuance of preferred shares. The Total Capital Ratio was higher mainly due to the issuance of subordinated notes. The Tier 1 and Total Capital Ratios were 13.0% and 15.1%, respectively, at October 31, 2017. The Tier 1 Ratio was lower, compared with October 31, 2017, mainly due to the factors impacting the CET1 Ratio. The Total Capital Ratio was higher, compared with October 31, 2017, mainly due to the issuances of subordinated notes net of redemptions, partially offset by the factors impacting the Tier 1 Ratio.

BMO's Leverage Ratio was 4.2% at October 31, 2018, consistent with July 31, 2018. The October 31, 2018 Leverage Ratio was down from 4.4% at October 31, 2017, mainly due to higher leverage exposures driven by business growth.

The impact of foreign exchange movements on capital ratios was largely offset. BMO's investments in foreign operations are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, and the foreign exchange impact of U.S.-dollar-denominated RWA and capital deductions may result in variability in the bank's capital ratios. BMO may manage the impact of foreign exchange movements on its capital ratios and did so during the fourth quarter. Any such activities could also impact our book value and return on equity.

Regulatory Capital
Regulatory capital requirements for BMO are determined in accordance with OSFI's CAR Guideline, which is based on the capital standards developed by the BCBS. For more information see the Enterprise-Wide Capital Management section on pages 69 to 75 of BMO's 2018 Annual MD&A.

OSFI's capital requirements are summarized in the following table.

 

Qualifying Regulatory Capital and Risk-Weighted Assets

 

Other Capital Developments
On June 1, 2018, we renewed our normal course issuer bid (NCIB) effective for one year. Under the NCIB, we may purchase up to 20 million common shares for cancellation. The NCIB is a regular part of BMO's capital management strategy. The timing and amount of purchases under the NCIB are subject to management discretion based on factors such as market conditions and capital levels. The bank will consult with OSFI before making purchases under the NCIB. During the quarter, we repurchased and cancelled 1 million common shares under the NCIB.

During the quarter, 399,780 common shares were issued through the exercise of stock options.

On August 25, 2018, we redeemed all of our 6,267,391 outstanding Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset Class B Preferred Shares, Series 16 and all of our 5,732,609 outstanding Non-Cumulative Floating Rate Class B Preferred Shares, Series 17, at a redemption price of $25.00 per share plus all declared and unpaid dividends.

On September 17, 2018, we completed our domestic public offering of $400 million of Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset Class B Preferred Shares Series 44.

On October 5, 2018, we completed our U.S. public offering of US$850 million of 4.338% Subordinated Notes due 2028, through our U.S. Medium-Term Note Program.

On November 16, 2018, BMO Capital Trust II, a subsidiary of Bank of Montreal, announced its intention to redeem all of its $450 million issued and outstanding BMO Tier 1 Notes – Series A on December 31, 2018.

On December 4, 2018, BMO announced that the Board of Directors had declared a quarterly dividend on common shares of $1.00 per share, up $0.04 per share or 4% from the prior quarter, and up $0.07 per share or 8% from a year ago. The dividend is payable on February 26, 2019, to shareholders of record on February 1, 2019. Common shareholders may elect to have their cash dividends reinvested in common shares of BMO in accordance with the Shareholder Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan.

Eligible Dividends Designation
For the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar provincial and territorial legislation, BMO designates all dividends paid or deemed to be paid on both its common and preferred shares as "eligible dividends", unless indicated otherwise.

Caution
The foregoing Capital Management section contains forward-looking statements. Please see the Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.

Review of Operating Groups' Performance
How BMO Reports Operating Group Results
The following sections review the financial results of each of our operating groups and operating segments for the fourth quarter of 2018.

Periodically, certain business lines and units within the business lines are transferred between client and corporate support groups to more closely align BMO's organizational structure with its strategic priorities. In addition, revenue and expense allocations are updated to more accurately align with current experience. Results for prior periods are restated to conform with the current presentation.

Effective the first quarter of 2018, the allocation of certain revenue items from Corporate Services to the operating groups was updated to better align with underlying business activity. Results for prior periods and related ratios have been reclassified to conform with the current presentation.

The following additional reclassifications were made effective the first quarter of 2018. Loan losses related to certain fraud costs have been reclassified from provision for credit losses to other non-interest expense in Canadian and U.S. P&C. Certain fees have been reclassified from deposit and payment service charges to card fees within non-interest revenue in Canadian P&C. Also, cash collateral balances were reclassified from loans and deposits to other assets and other liabilities in BMO Capital Markets. Results for prior periods and related ratios have been reclassified to conform with the current period's presentation.

Restructuring costs and acquisition integration costs that impact more than one operating group are included in Corporate Services.

BMO analyzes revenue at the consolidated level based on GAAP revenue reflected in the audited annual consolidated financial statements rather than on a taxable equivalent basis (teb), which is consistent with our Canadian peer group. Like many banks, we analyze revenue on a teb basis at the operating group level. Revenue and the provision for income taxes are increased on tax-exempt securities to an equivalent before-tax basis to facilitate comparisons of income between taxable and tax-exempt sources. The offset to the group teb adjustments is reflected in Corporate Services revenue and provision for income taxes.

Effective with the adoption of IFRS 9, we allocate the provision for credit losses on performing loans and the related allowance to operating groups. In 2017 and prior years, the collective provision and allowance was held in Corporate Services.

Personal and Commercial Banking (P&C)

 

The Personal and Commercial Banking (P&C) operating group represents the sum of our two retail and commercial operating segments, Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking (Canadian P&C) and U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking (U.S. P&C). The P&C banking business net income of $1,047 million and adjusted net income of $1,059 million were both up 17% from the prior year. Adjusted net income excludes the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. These operating segments are reviewed separately in the sections that follow.

Adjusted results in this P&C section are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. Please see the non-GAAP Measures section.

Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking (Canadian P&C)

 

Q4 2018 vs Q4 2017
Canadian P&C reported net income of $675 million and adjusted net income of $676 million both increased $51 million or 8% from the prior year. Adjusted net income excludes the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Results reflect revenue growth and lower provisions for credit losses, partially offset by higher expenses.

Revenue of $1,968 million increased $84 million or 4% from the prior year due to higher balances across most products, increased non-interest revenue and higher margins. Net interest margin of 2.62% was up 3 basis points, primarily due to the benefit of favourable product mix.

Personal revenue increased $39 million or 3% due to increased non-interest revenue, higher balances across most products and higher margins. Commercial revenue increased $45 million or 7% mainly due to higher balances across most products and increased non-interest revenue.

Total provision for credit losses of $103 million decreased $27 million from the prior year. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans decreased $12 million to $118 million, due to lower commercial provisions. There was a $15 million recovery of credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter.

Non-interest expense of $954 million increased $37 million or 4%, reflecting continued investment in the business, primarily related to higher technology investments and investment in sales force.

Average gross loans and acceptances of $227.0 billion increased $7.8 billion or 4% from the prior year. Total personal lending balances (excluding retail cards) were relatively unchanged, reflecting certain participation choices, including reduced participation in non-proprietary mortgage channels, offset by 3% growth in proprietary mortgages and amortizing home equity line of credit (HELOC) loans. Commercial loan balances (excluding corporate cards) increased 12%. Average deposits of $162.5 billion increased $8.1 billion or 5%. Personal deposit balances increased 3%, including growth of 5% in chequing account balances, while commercial deposit balances increased 9%.

Q4 2018 vs Q3 2018
Reported net income increased $33 million or 5% and adjusted net income increased $34 million or 5% from the prior quarter.

Revenue increased $16 million or 1% due to higher balances across most products and higher margins, partially offset by lower non-interest revenue. Net interest margin of 2.62% was up 2 basis points in part due to the benefit of a favourable product mix.

Personal revenue increased $9 million or 1% due to higher balances across most products. Commercial revenue increased $7 million or 1%, mainly due to higher balances across most products.

Total provision for credit losses decreased $34 million. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans decreased $2 million due to lower commercial provisions, partially offset by higher consumer provisions. There was a $15 million recovery of credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter, compared with a $17 million provision for credit losses on performing loans in the prior quarter.

Non-interest expense increased $5 million or 1%, reflecting continued investment in the business.

Average gross loans and acceptances increased $2.2 billion or 1%, while average deposits increased $2.7 billion or 2%.

Adjusted results in this Canadian P&C section are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. Please see the Non-GAAP Measures section.

U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking (U.S. P&C)

 

Q4 2018 vs Q4 2017
Reported net income of $372 million increased $102 million or 37% and adjusted net income of $383 million increased $102 million or 36% from the prior year. Adjusted net income excludes the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. All amounts in the remainder of this section are on a U.S. dollar basis.

Reported net income of $285 million increased $71 million or 33% and adjusted net income of $294 million increased $71 million or 31% from the prior year, due to good revenue growth and lower taxes from the benefit of U.S. tax reform and a favourable U.S. tax item, partially offset by higher expenses and higher provisions for credit losses. The benefit of U.S. tax reform was approximately $28 million in reported net income and $29 million in adjusted net income in the current quarter.

Revenue of $996 million increased $72 million or 8% from the prior year, mainly due to higher deposit revenue and increased loan volumes, net of loan spread compression. Net interest margin decreased 1 basis point to 3.69%, mainly due to loan spread compression and a change in business mix, including a residential loan portfolio purchase, partially offset by improved deposit revenue, driven primarily by higher interest rates and interest recoveries.

Total provision for credit losses of $60 million increased $8 million from the prior year. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans decreased $6 million to $46 million due to lower commercial provisions, partially offset by higher consumer provisions. There was a $14 million provision for credit losses on performing loans in the quarter.

Non-interest expense of $602 million increased $28 million or 5% and adjusted non-interest expense of $591 million increased $30 million or 5%, due to continued investment in the business, including technology investments.

Average gross loans and acceptances increased $7.8 billion or 11% from the prior year to $79.4 billion, driven by commercial loan growth of 10% and increased personal loan volumes, due largely to the purchase of a mortgage portfolio in the first quarter of 2018.

Average deposits of $73.7 billion increased $8.7 billion or 13% from the prior year with 16% growth in commercial and 12% growth in personal volumes, reflective of our continued commitment to grow our treasury management business.

Q4 2018 vs Q3 2018
Reported net income increased $8 million or 2% and adjusted net income increased $7 million or 2% from the prior quarter. All amounts in the remainder of this section are on a U.S. dollar basis.

Reported net income and adjusted net income both increased $6 million or 2% largely due to a favourable U.S. tax item and higher revenue, partially offset by higher provision for credit losses.

Revenue increased $11 million or 1%. Net interest margin decreased 2 basis points reflecting higher loan growth at lower spreads, partially offset by higher interest recoveries and improved deposit revenue.

Total provision for credit losses increased $29 million from the prior quarter. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans increased $4 million due to higher commercial and consumer provisions. There was a $14 million provision for credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter, compared with a $11 million net recovery of credit losses on performing loans in the prior quarter.

Non-interest expense and adjusted non-interest expense both increased $1 million.

Average gross loans and acceptances increased $2.1 billion or 3% due to growth in commercial and personal loan volumes. Average deposits increased $3.2 billion or 5% due to 9% growth in commercial and 2% growth in personal volumes.

Adjusted results in this U.S. P&C section are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. Please see the Non-GAAP Measures section.

BMO Wealth Management

 

Q4 2018 vs Q4 2017
Reported net income of $219 million increased $44 million or 25% and adjusted net income of $229 million increased $40 million or 21% from the prior year. As outlined below, net income in the current quarter was impacted by elevated reinsurance claims and a legal provision. Adjusted net income excludes the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. Traditional wealth reported net income of $192 million was unchanged and adjusted net income of $202 million decreased $4 million or 2% from the prior year, as business growth and lower taxes were more than offset by a legal provision and higher expenses. Insurance net income of $27 million was below trend but increased $44 million, primarily due to less elevated reinsurance claims in the current year, with this partially offset by unfavourable market movements in the current quarter relative to favourable market movements in the prior year.

Revenue of $1,569 million decreased $115 million or 7% from the prior year. Revenue, net of CCPB, was $1,179 million, an increase of $68 million or 6%. Revenue in traditional wealth was $1,100 million, an increase of $32 million or 3%, due to business growth from higher deposit and loan revenue, net new client assets and higher equity markets on average, partially offset by a legal provision in the current year and the impact of a divestiture of a non-core business in the prior year. Insurance revenue, net of CCPB, of $79 million increased $36 million from the prior year due to the drivers noted above.

Non-interest expense of $880 million increased $39 million or 5% and adjusted non-interest expense of $867 million increased $44 million or 5%, largely due to higher revenue-based costs and technology investments partially offset by the impact of the divestiture noted above.

Assets under management increased $8.8 billion or 2% from the prior year to $438.3 billion, primarily driven by growth in client assets. Assets under administration increased $23.1 billion or 6% from the prior year to $382.8 billion, primarily driven by growth in client assets. Year-over-year loans and deposits grew by 16% and 2%, respectively, as we continue to diversify our product mix.

Q4 2018 vs Q3 2018
Reported net income of $219 million and adjusted net income of $229 million both decreased $72 million. Traditional wealth reported net income was $192 million compared with $202 million in the prior quarter and adjusted net income was $202 million, compared with $212 million in the prior quarter, primarily due to lower fee based revenue partially offset by the benefit of a favourable U.S. tax item. Insurance net income of $27 million decreased $62 million or 69% from the prior quarter, primarily due to elevated reinsurance claims and unfavourable market movements in the current quarter relative to favourable market movements in the prior quarter.

Revenue, net of CCPB, decreased $90 million or 7%. Revenue in traditional wealth decreased $24 million or 2%, primarily due to lower fee-based revenue. Net insurance revenue decreased $66 million or 46%, due to the drivers noted above.

Reported and adjusted non-interest expense both increased $5 million or 1%.

Assets under management decreased $12.9 billion or 3%, and assets under administration decreased $11.7 billion or 3%, mainly due to weaker equity markets. Quarter-over-quarter loans grew by 4%, while deposits were down 1%.

Adjusted results in this BMO Wealth Management section are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. Please see the Non-GAAP Measures section.

BMO Capital Markets

 

Q4 2018 vs Q4 2017
Reported net income of $298 million decreased $18 million or 6%, and adjusted net income of $309 million decreased $7 million or 2% from a year ago, as higher Investment and Corporate Banking revenue and lower taxes were more than offset by higher expenses and lower Trading Products revenue. Adjusted net income excludes acquisition integration costs and the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets.

Revenue of $1,129 million increased $14 million or 1%. Excluding the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar, revenue was relatively unchanged. Investment and Corporate Banking revenue increased, mainly due to higher corporate banking-related revenue, while underwriting and advisory revenue decreased slightly from a strong quarter a year ago. Trading Products revenue decreased primarily due to softer interest rate trading and lower new equity issuances, partially offset by the impact of the acquisition of KGS-Alpha in the quarter.

Total net recovery of credit losses was $7 million, compared with total net provisions of $4 million in the prior year. The net recovery of credit losses on impaired loans was $3 million, compared with a $4 million provision in the prior year. There was a $4 million net recovery of credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter.

Non-interest expense of $763 million increased $84 million or 12% and adjusted non-interest expense of $749 million increased $70 million or 10%, or 9% excluding the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar, largely due to continued investment in the business, including the impact of the acquisition.

Q4 2018 vs Q3 2018
Reported net income of $298 million decreased $3 million or 1%, and adjusted net income of $309 million increased $6 million or 2% from the prior quarter, primarily due to higher revenue, the benefit of a favourable U.S. tax item and recovery of credit losses, partially offset by higher expenses.

Revenue increased $26 million or 2% from the prior quarter. Investment and Corporate Banking revenue increased primarily driven by higher corporate banking-related revenue, while underwriting and advisory revenue decreased slightly from a strong prior quarter. Trading Products revenue decreased due to softer interest rate trading and lower new equity issuances, partially offset by the impact of the acquisition.

Total net recovery of credit losses was $7 million, compared with total net provisions of $7 million in the prior quarter. The net recovery of credit losses on impaired loans was $3 million, compared with a provision of $3 million in the prior quarter. There was a $4 million net recovery of credit losses on performing loans, compared with a $4 million provision in the prior quarter.

Non-interest expense of $763 million increased $65 million or 9% and adjusted non-interest expense of $749 million increased $53 million or 8%, largely due to continued investment in the business, including the impact of the acquisition.

Adjusted results in this BMO Capital Markets section are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. Please see the Non-GAAP Measures section.

Corporate Services

 

Corporate Services consists of Corporate Units and Technology and Operations (T&O). Corporate Units provide enterprise-wide expertise, governance and support in a variety of areas, including strategic planning, risk management, finance, legal and regulatory compliance, human resources, communications, marketing, real estate, procurement, data and analytics, and innovation. T&O manages, maintains and provides governance of information technology, cyber security and operations services.

The costs of these Corporate Units and T&O services are largely transferred to the three operating groups (Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets), with any remaining amounts retained in Corporate Services results. As such, Corporate Services results largely reflect the impact of residual treasury-related activities, the elimination of taxable equivalent adjustments, residual unallocated expenses, certain acquisition integration costs and restructuring costs, as well as the one-time non-cash charge related to the revaluation of our U.S. net deferred tax asset in the first quarter of 2018 and a benefit from the remeasurement of an employee benefit liability in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Q4 2018 vs Q4 2017
Corporate Services reported net income for the quarter was $131 million, compared with a net loss of $158 million in the prior year. The adjusted net loss for the quarter was $68 million, compared with an adjusted net loss of $102 million in the prior year. Adjusted results exclude a benefit of $203 million after-tax from the remeasurement of an employee benefit liability in the current year and a restructuring charge in the prior year, as well as acquisition integration costs in both periods. Adjusted results increased mainly due to higher revenue excluding the teb adjustment and lower expenses. The current quarter includes above-trend securities gains. Reported results increased due to the remeasurement benefit, a restructuring charge in the prior year, and the drivers noted above.

Q4 2018 vs Q3 2018
Corporate Services reported net income for the quarter was $131 million, compared with a net loss of $62 million in the prior quarter. The adjusted net loss was $68 million, compared with an adjusted net loss of $57 million in the prior quarter. Adjusted results exclude the remeasurement benefit in the current period, as well as acquisition integration costs in both periods. The adjusted results decreased due to higher expenses, partially offset by higher revenue excluding the teb adjustment. Reported results increased due to the remeasurement benefit in the current quarter partially offset by the drivers noted above.

Adjusted results in this Corporate Services section are non-GAAP amounts or non-GAAP measures. Please see the Non-GAAP Measures section.

Risk Management
Our risk management policies and processes to measure, monitor and control credit and counterparty, market, insurance, liquidity and funding, operational, model, legal and regulatory, business, strategic, environmental and social and reputation risk are outlined in the Enterprise-Wide Risk Management section on pages 78 to 116 of BMO's 2018 Annual MD&A.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statement of Income

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 

INVESTOR AND MEDIA PRESENTATION

Investor Presentation Materials
Interested parties are invited to visit our website at www.bmo.com/investorrelations to review our 2018 Annual MD&A and audited annual consolidated financial statements, quarterly presentation materials and supplementary financial information package.

Quarterly Conference Call and Webcast Presentations
Interested parties are also invited to listen to our quarterly conference call on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. (ET). At that time, senior BMO executives will comment on results for the quarter and respond to questions from the investor community. The call may be accessed by telephone at 416-641-2144 (from within Toronto) or 1-888-789-9572 (toll-free outside Toronto) Passcode: 5126346. A replay of the conference call can be accessed until Monday, February 25, 2019, by calling 905-694-9451 (from within Toronto) or 1-800-408-3053 (toll-free outside Toronto) and entering Passcode: 5740558.

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 site.

 

Our 2018 Annual MD&A, audited annual consolidated financial statements 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 2018 audited financial statements are available free of charge upon request at 416-867-6785 or corp.secretary@bmo.com.
 

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SOURCE BMO Financial Group