Like all the large banks BMO carries out its own trading activity in various portfolios. As you can see below they don't always make the correct calls.

• BMO revalues commodities trading portfolio as at April 30, 2007, resulting in trading losses of $680 million pre-tax or $327 million after tax and incentive compensation adjustments ($0.64 per share), which is a revision from the previous estimate of $350 million to $450 million pre-tax ($0.45 to $0.55 per share).
• BMO will restate first quarter Fiscal 2007 earnings.
• Potential irregularities in trading are being investigated.
• Progress made in reducing risk in natural gas portfolio.

BMO Financial Group (TSX: BMO, NYSE: BMO) today issued an update on mark-to-market commodities trading losses in the natural gas portfolio.

Following the receipt of an independent assessment of BMO’s natural gas commodities trading policies and practices, including valuation methodology, the company moved quickly to determine the effect on its financial statements. Based on the information available at that time, the company issued a press release on April 27, 2007, announcing estimated mark-to-market commodities trading losses of $350 million to $450 million pre-tax.

After April 27, new information was obtained and BMO determined that a more appropriate market-based methodology should be used for this portfolio. This change, together with increased concerns with the reliability of quotes received from its principal broker, used in its first quarter valuation, led BMO to conclude that losses should be recognized partially in both the first quarter and second quarter of Fiscal 2007. The impact of this change did not have a material impact on periods prior to the first quarter of 2007.

The effect is total mark-to-market commodities trading losses as at April 30, 2007, of $680 million pre-tax or $327 million after tax and incentive compensation adjustments ($0.64 per share). Of this amount, $509 million pre-tax or $237 million after tax and incentive compensation adjustments ($0.46 per share) will be recorded in BMO’s first quarter of Fiscal 2007 and $171 million pre-tax or
$90 million after tax and incentive compensation adjustments ($0.18 per share) will be recorded in BMO’s second quarter of Fiscal 2007. Restated first quarter financial results as well as the impact of the loss on second quarter financial results will be reflected in BMO’s second quarter (April 30) financial statements, which will be released on May 23, 2007.

BMO’s commodities portfolio is now more appropriately marked-to-market as of April 30, 2007, based on a completed valuation review. However, BMO is continuing its investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding these mark-to-market commodities trading losses including a review to determine whether any potential irregularities in trading and valuation took place.

Bill Downe, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group, commented, “Since our initial announcement on April 27, BMO and our external advisors have continued to investigate this matter. This has provided additional insight into the current circumstances, helped guide the actions we have taken and those we will take going forward. BMO has reduced the risk in this portfolio by approximately a third from its peak.”

BMO has taken a number of steps related to these mark-to-market commodities trading losses:

• As the portfolio grew in the first few months of Fiscal 2007, BMO sought additional verification of the valuation from other independent sources. This portfolio had been marked-to-market each day by the traders and the valuations confirmed independently by its principal broker.
• BMO engaged an independent firm in mid-February to assist in reviewing its risk measurement, valuation and control practices. This study was delivered to BMO in mid-April and assisted BMO in its initial disclosure of this matter.
• Following the April 27 announcement, management initiated an external investigation of the trading activity and two of BMO’s commodities professionals were placed on leave. These two individuals are no longer employed by the company.
• BMO changed reporting lines within BMO Capital Markets for the Commodities business.
• The company has assigned a new team of trading professionals to the portfolio, who continue to manage risk out of this portfolio (reduced by approximately a third from its peak). BMO will continue to reduce the risk of this portfolio consistent with maintaining the business of serving its energy client franchise.
• BMO suspended its business relationship with the brokerage, Optionable Inc., pending the results of BMO’s external review.
• Additional risk measures have been implemented and limits have been reduced.
• BMO’s commodities portfolio is now more appropriately marked-to-market as of April 30, 2007, based on a completed valuation review.