BMO Financial Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2021 Results

Fourth Quarter 2021 Earnings Release

Financial Results Highlights

Fourth Quarter 2021 Compared With Fourth Quarter 2020:

• Net income of $2,159 million, an increase of 36%; adjusted net income¹ of $2,226 million, an increase of 38%
• Reported earnings per share (EPS)² of $3.23, an increase of 36%; adjusted EPS^1,2 of $3.33, an increase of 38%
• Recovery of the provision for credit losses of $126 million, compared with a provision for credit losses of $432 million 
• Return on equity (ROE) of 16.0%, an increase from 12.4%; adjusted ROE¹ of 16.5%, an increase from 12.6%
• Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio³ of 13.7%, an increase from 11.9%
• Dividend of $1.33, an increase of $0.27 or 25%

Fiscal 2021 Compared With Fiscal 2020:

• Net income of $7,754 million, an increase of 52%; adjusted net income¹ of $8,651 million, an increase of 66%
• Reported EPS² of $11.58, an increase of 53%; adjusted EPS^1,2 of $12.96, an increase of 68%
• Provision for credit losses of $20 million, compared with $2,953 million
• ROE of 14.9%, an increase from 10.1%; adjusted ROE¹ of 16.7%, an increase from 10.3%

TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2021 /CNW/ - For the fourth quarter ended October 31, 2021, BMO Financial Group (TSX: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) recorded net income of $2,159 million or $3.23 per share on a reported basis, and net income of $2,226 million or $3.33 per share on an adjusted basis.

"We delivered another quarter of strong performance with positive operating leverage in each of our diversified businesses, contributing to strong earnings for fiscal 2021. This year, we significantly advanced our strategy to build a digitally-enabled, future-ready bank, underpinned by our Purpose and a winning culture. We've taken action to improve our competitive position through a disciplined approach to expense management, capital allocation and investment in future growth, while meaningfully improving our efficiency ratio and return on equity over the last several years," said Darryl White, Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group.

"Strong, consistent financial performance enables us to continue to invest in improving the well-being of our employees, customers and communities. We continue to be recognized as a global leader in sustainability as one of only five Canadian companies included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index – a confirmation of the progress we're making on our bold commitments for a thriving economy, a sustainable future and an inclusive society. We will continue to act as a catalyst for positive change, including serving as our clients' lead partner in the transition to a net zero world."

"Looking ahead to 2022, we will continue to position BMO for growth with the ensuing economic recovery. We are making targeted investments in technology and talent to drive enhanced customer experiences and deliver market-leading advice to help them make real financial progress. Today we announced a 25% dividend increase and our intention to repurchase up to 22.5 million shares, reflecting the strength of our capital position and confidence in delivering sustained, long-term performance for our shareholders," concluded Mr. White.

Concurrent with the release of results, BMO announced a first quarter 2022 dividend of $1.33 per common share, an increase of $0.27 or 25% from the prior quarter and the prior year. The quarterly dividend of $1.33 per common share is equivalent to an annual dividend of $5.32 per common share.

The foregoing section contains forward-looking statements. Refer to the Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.

Fourth Quarter Performance Review

The order in which the impact on net income is discussed in this section, follows the order of revenue, expenses and provision for credit losses, regardless of their relative impact.

Adjusted results and ratios, and U.S. dollar amounts and ratios in this Fourth Quarter Performance Review section are on a non-GAAP basis and discussed in the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section.

Reported and adjusted net income increased from the prior year, driven by revenue growth, an increase in expenses, and a recovery of the provision for credit losses. Net income increased across all operating groups. Adjusted results in the current quarter excluded expenses of $52 million ($62 million pre-tax) from the impact of divestitures related to the sale of our EMEA Asset Management business and the sale of our Private Banking business in Hong Kong and Singapore. Adjusted results also excluded the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and acquisition integration costs in both the current and prior years. 

Canadian P&C
Reported net income was $921 million, an increase of $274 million or 42% and adjusted net income was $921 million, an increase of $273 million or 42% from the prior year. Results were driven by a 13% increase in revenue, with higher net interest income and non-interest revenue, higher expenses, and a recovery of the provision for credit losses compared with a provision in the prior year.

U.S. P&C
Reported net income was $512 million, an increase of $188 million or 58% from the prior year and adjusted net income was $518 million, an increase of $185 million or 55%.The impact of the weaker U.S. dollar reduced net income growth by 8%, revenue growth by 6% and expense growth by 5%.

On a U.S. dollar basis, reported net income was US$408 million, an increase of US$162 million or 66% from the prior year, and adjusted net income was US$412 million, an increase of US$158 million or 63%. Reported and adjusted results were driven by a 9% increase in revenue, with higher net interest income and non-interest revenue, higher expenses and a recovery of the provision for credit losses compared with a provision in the prior year.

BMO Wealth Management
Reported net income was $369 million, an increase of $49 million or 15% from the prior year and adjusted net income was $373 million, an increase of $45 million or 14%. Results were driven by higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in expenses. Traditional Wealth reported net income was $318 million, an increase of $65 million or 26% and adjusted net income was $322 million, an increase of $61 million or 24%, driven by higher revenue, primarily from growth in client assets, including stronger global markets, partially offset by higher expenses. Insurance net income was $51 million, a decrease from $67 million in the prior year, primarily due to prior-year benefits from changes in investments to improve asset-liability management.

BMO Capital Markets
Reported net income was $536 million, an increase of $157 million or 41% from the prior year, and adjusted net income was $541 million, an increase of $154 million or 40%. Reported and adjusted results were driven by continued strong revenue performance, with higher Investment and Corporate Banking revenue partially offset by lower Global Markets revenue, expenses relatively unchanged from the prior year and a recovery of credit losses compared with a provision in the prior year.

Corporate Services
Reported net loss was $179 million and adjusted net loss was $127 million, compared with a reported and adjusted net loss of $86 million in the prior year. Reported and adjusted results decreased due to lower revenue, driven by treasury-related activities, higher expenses, and the impact of a more favourable tax rate in the prior year.

Capital
BMO's Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Ratio was 13.7% as at October 31, 2021, an increase from 13.4% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2021, driven by retained earnings growth, partially offset by higher source currency risk-weighted assets.

Credit Quality
Total recovery of the provision for credit losses was $126 million, compared with a provision for credit losses of $432 million in the prior year. The total recovery of credit losses as a percentage of average net loans and acceptances ratio was 11 basis points, compared with a provision for credit losses ratio of 37 basis points in the prior year. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans was $84 million, a decrease of $255 million from $339 million in the prior year. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans as a percentage of average net loans and acceptances ratio was 7 basis points, compared with 29 basis points in the prior year. There was a $210 million recovery of the provision for credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter, compared with a $93 million provision in the prior year. The $210 million recovery in the current quarter largely reflected an improving economic outlook and positive credit migration, partially offset by growth in loan balances, while the $93 million provision in the prior year reflected a more severe adverse scenario, partially offset by an improving economic outlook and reduced balances.

Refer to the Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates section of BMO's 2021 Annual MD&A and Note 4 of our audited annual consolidated financial statements for further information on the allowance for credit losses as at October 31, 2021.

Supporting a Sustainable and Inclusive Recovery
At BMO, we have a long-standing commitment to support a thriving economy, a sustainable future and an inclusive society, and we are acting with purpose. In support of our customers, communities and employees, BMO recently:

• Ranked among the most sustainable companies on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) – one of only five companies in Canada included in the DJSI World Index, earning the highest score in Corporate Governance, Customer Relationship Management, Financial Inclusion, Environmental Reporting and Social Reporting.
• Announced it is joining the United Nations-convened Net-Zero Banking Alliance as part of a global industry-led initiative to accelerate and support efforts to address climate change.
• Helped clients achieve environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals with sustainability-linked loans, as part of its commitment to deploy $300 billion in sustainable lending and underwriting to companies pursuing sustainable outcomes.
• As part of BMO's five-year, $5 billion EMpower^TM commitment, launched the new BMO Women in Business Credit Program through BMO Harris Bank and expanded our Black and Latinx Small Business Program across our U.S. footprint, increasing access to capital, educational resources and meaningful partnerships.
• Released Wîcihitowin ᐑᒋᐦᐃᑐᐏᐣ, BMO's first annual Indigenous Partnerships and Progress report, highlighting the partnership with Indigenous communities and BMO's Indigenous Advisory Council to further education, employment and economic empowerment.
• Was recognized by Forbes magazine as BMO Harris Bank was named one of the World's Best Employers for 2021.

Regulatory Filings
BMO's continuous disclosure materials, including 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov. Information contained in or otherwise accessible through our website (www.bmo.com), or any third party websites mentioned herein, does not form part of this document.

Caution
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts BMO's business, results of operations, reputation, financial performance and condition, including the potential for credit, counterparty and mark-to-market losses, its credit ratings and regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, as well as impacts to its customers and competitors will depend on future developments. Such developments are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic and actions taken by third parties, governments, and governmental and regulatory authorities, which could vary by country and region. The COVID-19 pandemic may also impact the bank's ability to achieve, or the timing to achieve, certain previously announced targets, goals and objectives.

For additional information, refer to the Risks That May Affect Future Results section of BMO's 2021 Annual MD&A.

Financial Review

Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) commentary is as at December 3, 2021. The material that precedes this section comprises part of this MD&A. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the period ended October 31, 2021, included in this document, as well as the audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2021, and the MD&A for fiscal 2021, contained in BMO's 2021 Annual Report.

BMO's 2021 Annual MD&A includes a comprehensive discussion of its 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 at October 31, 2021, of Bank of Montreal's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the rules of the U.S. 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, 2021, 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.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

As noted in the following Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, all forward-looking statements and information, by their nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in any forward-looking statement. The Enterprise-Wide Risk Management section of BMO's 2021 Annual MD&A describes a number of risks, including credit and counterparty, market, insurance, liquidity and funding, operational non-financial, legal and regulatory, strategic, environmental and social, and reputation risk. Should our risk management framework prove ineffective, there could be a material adverse impact on our financial position and results.

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 2022 and beyond, our strategies or future actions, our targets and commitments (including with respect to net zero emissions), expectations for our financial condition, capital position or share price, the regulatory environment in which we operate, the results of, or outlook for, our operations or for the Canadian, U.S. and international economies, and the COVID-19 pandemic, and include statements made by our management. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "will", "would", "should", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "goal", "commit", "target", "may", "might", "schedule", "forecast" and "could" or negative or grammatical variations thereof.

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. The uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened this risk, given the increased challenge in making assumptions, 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, including labour challenges; the severity, duration and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and possibly other outbreaks of disease or illness, and its impact on local, national or international economies, as well as its heightening of certain risks that may affect our future results; information, privacy and cyber security, including the threat of data breaches, 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; benchmark interest rate reforms; technological changes and technology resiliency; political conditions, including changes relating to, or affecting, economic or trade matters; climate change and other environmental and social risk; the Canadian housing market and consumer leverage; inflationary pressures; global supply-chain disruptions; changes in monetary, fiscal, or economic policy; changes in laws, including tax legislation and interpretation, or in supervisory expectations or requirements, including capital, interest rate and liquidity requirements and guidance, and the effect of such changes on funding costs; weak, volatile or illiquid capital or credit markets; the level of competition in the geographic and business areas in which we operate; 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 proposed acquisitions or dispositions, including obtaining regulatory approvals; critical accounting estimates and the effects 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; global capital markets activities; the possible effects on our business of war or terrorist activities; natural disasters and disruptions to public infrastructure, such as transportation, communications, power or water supply; 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 refer to the discussion in the Risks That May Affect Future Results section, and the sections related to credit and counterparty, market, insurance, liquidity and funding, operational non-financial, legal and regulatory, strategic, environmental and social, and reputation risk, in the Enterprise-Wide Risk Management section of BMO's 2021 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 shareholders and analysts 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 of BMO's 2021 Annual MD&A, as well as in the Allowance for Credit Losses section of BMO's 2021 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, we primarily consider historical economic data, past relationships between economic and financial variables, changes in government policies, and the risks to the domestic and global economy.

Financial Highlights

Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures

Results and measures in this document are presented on a GAAP basis. Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are in Canadian dollars and have been derived from our audited annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). References to GAAP mean IFRS. We use a number of financial measures to assess our performance, as well as the performance of our operating businesses, including measures and ratios that are presented on a non-GAAP basis, as described below. We believe that these non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios, read together with our GAAP results, provide readers with a better understanding of how management assesses results.

Non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios 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.

Certain information contained in BMO's Management's Discussion and Analysis as at October 31, 2021 (2021 Annual MD&A) is incorporated by reference into this document. Further information regarding the composition of our non-GAAP and other financial measures, including supplementary financial measures, is provided in the Glossary of Financial Terms in BMO's 2021 Annual MD&A and available online at www.bmo.com/investorrelations and at www.sedar.com.

Our non-GAAP measures broadly fall into the following categories:

Adjusted measures and ratios
Management considers both reported and adjusted results and measures useful in assessing underlying ongoing business performance. Adjusted results and measures remove certain specified items from revenue, non-interest expense and income taxes, as detailed in the following table. Adjusted results and measures presented in this document are non-GAAP. Presenting results on both a reported basis and an adjusted basis permits readers to assess the impact of certain items on results for the periods presented, and to better assess results excluding those items that may not be reflective of ongoing business performance. As such, the presentation may facilitate readers' analysis of trends. Except as otherwise noted, management's discussion of changes in reported results in this document applies equally to changes in the corresponding adjusted results.

Measures net of insurance claims, commissions and changes in policy benefit liabilities (CCPB)
We also present reported and adjusted revenue on a basis that is net of insurance claims, commissions and changes in policy benefit liabilities (CCPB), and our efficiency ratio and operating leverage are calculated on a similar basis, as reconciled in the Revenue section. Measures and ratios presented on a basis net of CCPB are non-GAAP. Insurance revenue can experience variability arising from fluctuations in the fair value of insurance assets, caused by movements in interest rates and equity markets. The investments that support policy benefit liabilities are predominantly fixed income assets 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. The presentation and discussion of revenue, efficiency ratios and operating leverage on a net basis reduces this variability, which allows for a better assessment of operating results. For more information refer to the Insurance Claims, Commissions and Changes in Policy Benefit Liabilities section.

Presenting results on a taxable equivalent basis (teb)
We analyze consolidated revenue on a reported basis. In addition, we analyze revenue on a taxable equivalent basis (teb) at the operating group level, consistent with the Canadian peer group. Revenue and the provision for income taxes in BMO Capital Markets and U.S. P&C are increased on tax-exempt securities to an equivalent pre-tax basis. These adjustments are offset in Corporate Services. Presenting results on a teb basis reflects how our operating groups manage their business and is useful to facilitate comparisons of income between taxable and tax-exempt sources. The effective tax rate is also analyzed on a teb basis for consistency of approach, with the offset to operating segment adjustments recorded in Corporate Services.

Tangible common equity and return on tangible common equity
Tangible common equity is calculated as common shareholders' equity less goodwill and acquisition-related intangible assets, net of related deferred tax liabilities. Return on tangible common equity is commonly used in the North American banking industry and is meaningful because it measures the performance of businesses consistently, whether they were acquired or developed organically.

Presenting results on a U.S. dollar basis
Results and measures that exclude the impact of Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate movements on BMO's U.S. segment are non-GAAP. Refer to the Foreign Exchange section for a discussion of the effects of changes in exchange rates on our results.

We present our U.S. P&C business results, as well as select U.S. segment information for the bank, BMO Wealth Management, BMO Capital Markets and Corporate Services, on a U.S. dollar basis. Presenting these results on a U.S. dollar basis is useful in assessing the underlying performance without the variability caused by changes in foreign exchange rates.

Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures

Summary of Reported and Adjusted Results by Operating Group

Net Revenue, Efficiency Ratio and Operating Leverage

Return on Equity and Return on Tangible Common Equity

Capital is allocated to the operating segments based on the amount of regulatory capital required to support business activities. Unallocated capital is reported in Corporate Services. Capital allocation methodologies are reviewed annually.

Return on Equity by Operating Segment

Foreign Exchange

The Canadian dollar equivalents of BMO's U.S. segment results that are denominated in U.S. dollars decreased relative to 2020 due to changes in the Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rate. The table below indicates the relevant average Canadian/U.S. dollar exchange rates and the impact of changes in those rates on BMO's 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 not hedged against the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates during 2021 and 2020. We regularly determine whether to enter into hedging transactions in order to mitigate the impact of foreign exchange rate movements on our net income. Changes in exchange rates will affect future results measured in Canadian dollars, and the impact on those results is a function of the periods in which revenue, expenses, provisions for (recoveries of) credit losses and income taxes arise.

Refer to the Enterprise-Wide Capital Management section of BMO's 2021 Annual MD&A for a discussion of the impact that changes in foreign exchange rates can have on BMO's capital position.

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

Net Income

Q4 2021 vs. Q4 2020

Reported net income was $2,159 million, an increase of $575 million or 36% from the prior year, and adjusted net income was $2,226 million, an increase of $616 million or 38%. Adjusted results in the current quarter excluded expenses of $52 million ($62 million pre-tax) from the impact of divestitures related to the sale of our EMEA Asset Management business and the sale of our Private Banking business in Hong Kong and Singapore. Adjusted results also excluded the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and acquisition integration costs in both the current and prior years. Reported EPS was $3.23, an increase of $0.86 from the prior year, and adjusted EPS was $3.33, an increase of $0.92.

Results were driven by strong revenue growth and the impact of lower provisions for credit losses, partially offset by an increase in expenses. All operating groups recorded higher net income, while Corporate Services recorded a higher net loss.

Q4 2021 vs. Q3 2021

Reported net income was $2,159 million, a decrease of $116 million or 5% from the prior quarter, and adjusted net income was $2,226 million, a decrease of $66 million or 3%. Adjusted results excluded the impact of divestitures of $52 million ($62 million pre-tax) in the current quarter and $18 million ($24 million pre-tax) in the prior quarter. Adjusted results in the prior quarter excluded a partial reversal of previously recorded restructuring charges related to severance of $18 million ($24 million pre-tax). Adjusted results also excluded the amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and acquisition integration costs in both the current and prior quarters. Reported EPS decreased $0.18 or 5% from the prior quarter, and adjusted EPS decreased $0.11 or 3%.

Results were primarily driven by lower revenue and an increase in expenses, partially offset by the impact of a larger recovery of the provision for credit losses. Net income increased in Canadian P&C and was partially offset by decreases in U.S. P&C, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets. Corporate Services recorded a higher net loss.

For further information on non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios in this Net Income section, refer to the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section.

Revenue

Q4 2021 vs. Q4 2020

Reported revenue was $6,573 million, an increase of $587 million or 10% from the prior year. On a basis that nets insurance claims, commissions and changes in policy benefit liabilities (CCPB) against insurance revenue (net revenue), revenue was $6,476 million, an increase of $490 million or 8% from the prior year.

Revenue increased in Canadian P&C due to higher net interest income and higher non-interest revenue, in BMO Wealth Management, largely from growth in client assets, including stronger global markets, partially offset by lower insurance revenue, in BMO Capital Markets due to higher Investment and Corporate Banking revenue, partially offset by lower Global Markets revenue, and in U.S. P&C due to higher net interest income and higher non-interest revenue. Corporate Services revenue decreased from the prior year. The impact of the weaker U.S. dollar reduced total revenue by 2%.

Net interest income was $3,756 million, an increase of $226 million from the prior year. Non-trading net interest income was $3,217 million, an increase of $199 million or 7%, primarily driven by higher net interest income in Canadian P&C. Higher source currency net interest income in U.S. P&C was partially offset by the impact of the weaker U.S. dollar. Trading-related net interest income was $539 million, an increase of $27 million or 5%.

Average earning assets were $918.3 billion, an increase of $41.9 billion or 5%, primarily due to loan growth, higher cash and higher securities balances, partially offset by the impact of the weaker U.S. dollar.

BMO's overall net interest margin of 1.62% increased 2 basis points from the prior year. On a basis that excludes trading-related interest income and earning assets, net interest margin of 1.66% increased 6 basis points, primarily driven by higher margins in our P&C businesses and lower balances of low-yielding assets in BMO Capital Markets.

Non-interest revenue, net of CCPB, was $2,720 million, an increase of $264 million or 11% from the prior year, with increases across most categories, including higher securities gains, other than trading, and higher revenue from underwriting and advisory fees, mutual funds, investment management and custodial fees and card fees, partially offset by lower trading revenue and the impact of the weaker U.S. dollar.

Gross insurance revenue increased $80 million from the prior year, primarily due to changes in the fair value of investments and business growth. Insurance revenue can experience variability arising from fluctuations in the fair value of insurance assets caused by movements in interest rates and equity markets. The investments that support policy benefit liabilities are predominantly fixed income and equity assets recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in insurance revenue in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The impact of these fair value changes was largely offset by changes in policy benefit liabilities, which are discussed in the Insurance Claims, Commissions and Changes in Policy Benefits section.

Q4 2021 vs. Q3 2021

Revenue was $6,573 million, a decrease of $989 million or 13% from the prior quarter. Revenue, net of CCPB, was $6,476 million, a decrease of $102 million or 2%.

Revenue increased in Canadian P&C due to higher net interest income and non-interest revenue and in U.S. P&C, primarily due to the stronger U.S. dollar. Revenue decreased in BMO Capital Markets with lower revenue in both Global Markets and Investment and Corporate Banking. Revenue was relatively unchanged in BMO Wealth Management, as higher revenue in Traditional Wealth was offset by lower insurance revenue. Corporate Services revenue decreased from the prior quarter.

Net interest income increased $235 million or 7% from the prior quarter. Non-trading net interest income increased $83 million or 3%, primarily in our P&C businesses. Higher net interest income in U.S. P&C was primarily due to the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar. Trading-related net interest income increased $152 million or 39%.

Average earning assets increased $31.0 billion, primarily due to loan growth, higher securities and cash balances, and the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar.

BMO's overall net interest margin increased 5 basis points, primarily due to higher trading-related interest income. On a basis that excludes trading-related interest income and earning assets, net interest margin decreased 1 basis point.

Non-interest revenue, net of CCPB, decreased $337 million or 11% from the prior quarter, largely due to lower revenue from trading , underwriting and advisory fees, and securities gains, other than trading, partially offset by the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar.

Gross insurance revenue decreased $914 million from the prior quarter, primarily due to changes in the fair value of investments. The decrease in insurance revenue was largely offset by changes in CCPB, as discussed in the Insurance Claims, Commissions and Changes in Policy Benefits section.

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

For further information on non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios, and results presented on a net revenue basis in this Revenue section, refer to the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section.

Change in Net Interest Income, Average Earning Assets and Net Interest Margin

Total Provision for Credit Losses

Q4 2021 vs. Q4 2020

Total recovery of the provision for credit losses was $126 million, compared with a provision for credit losses of $432 million in the prior year. The total recovery of credit losses as a percentage of average net loans and acceptances ratio was 11 basis points, compared with a provision for credit losses ratio of 37 basis points in the prior year. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans was $84 million, a decrease of $255 million from $339 million in the prior year. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans as a percentage of average net loans and acceptances ratio was 7 basis points, compared with 29 basis points in the prior year. There was a $210 million recovery of the provision for credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter, compared with a $93 million provision in the prior year. The $210 million recovery in the current quarter largely reflected an improving economic outlook and positive credit migration, partially offset by growth in loan balances, while the $93 million provision in the prior year reflected a more severe adverse scenario, partially offset by an improving economic outlook and reduced balances.

Q4 2021 vs. Q3 2021

Total recovery of the provision for credit losses was $126 million, compared with a recovery of $70 million in the prior quarter. The total recovery of credit losses as a percentage of average net loans and acceptances ratio was 11 basis points, compared with 6 basis points in the prior quarter. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans increased $13 million from the prior quarter, largely due to lower recoveries of provisions in U.S. P&C and BMO Capital Markets. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans as a percentage of average net loans and acceptances ratio was 7 basis points, compared with 6 basis points in the prior quarter. There was a $210 million recovery of the provision for credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter, compared with a $141 million recovery in the prior quarter. The recovery in the current quarter largely reflected an improving economic outlook and positive credit migration, partially offset by growth in loan balances, while the prior quarter reflected an improving economic outlook and positive credit migration, partially offset by the impact of the uncertain economic environment on future credit conditions, as well as growth in loan balances.

Provision for Credit Losses by Operating Group

Provision for Credit Losses Performance Ratios

Impaired Loans

Total gross impaired loans (GIL) were $2,169 million, compared with $3,638 million in the prior year, with the largest decrease in impaired loans attributable to the oil and gas industry. GIL decreased $261 million from $2,430 million in the prior quarter.

Factors contributing to the change in GIL are outlined in the table below. Loans classified as impaired during the quarter totalled $295 million, compared with $662 million in the prior year, and $390 million in the prior quarter.

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

Insurance Claims, Commissions and Changes in Policy Benefit Liabilities

Insurance claims, commissions and changes in policy benefit liabilities (CCPB) were $97 million, compared with $nil in the prior year. Results increased, largely due to changes in the fair value of policy benefit liabilities. CCPB decreased $887 million from the prior quarter due to changes in the fair value of policy benefit liabilities. The changes were largely offset in revenue.

Non-Interest Expense

Reported non-interest expense was $3,803million, an increase of $255 million or 7% from the prior year, including $62 million of expenses from the impact of divestitures in the current year. Adjusted non-interest expense was $3,720 million, an increase of $205 million or 6%. The increase in expenses was primarily due to higher employee-related costs, including performance-based costs, travel and business development costs, computer and equipment costs, and professional fees, partially offset by the impact of the weaker U.S. dollar that reduced expenses by 2%.

Reported non-interest expense increased $119 million or 3% from the prior quarter. Adjusted non-interest expense increased $58 million or 2%. The increase in reported and adjusted expenses was primarily due to higher computer and equipment costs, professional fees and travel and business development costs, partially offset by lower employee-related costs. The impact of the stronger U.S. dollar increased expenses by 1%.

The reported gross efficiency ratio was 57.9%, compared with 59.3% in the prior year. On a net revenue basis, reported efficiency ratio was 58.7%, compared with 59.3% in the prior year, and the adjusted efficiency ratio was 57.4%, compared with 58.7% in the prior year.

Reported gross operating leverage was positive 2.6%. On a net revenue basis, reported operating leverage was positive 1.0% and adjusted operating leverage was positive 2.4%.

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

For further information on non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios in this Non-Interest Expense section, refer to the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $640 million, an increase of $218 million from the fourth quarter of 2020, and a decrease of $49 million from the third quarter of 2021. The effective tax rate for the current quarter was 22.9%, compared with 21.1% in the fourth quarter of 2020, and 23.2% in the third quarter of 2021.

The adjusted provision for income taxes was $656 million, an increase of $227 million from the fourth quarter of 2020, and a decrease of $38 million from the third quarter of 2021. The adjusted effective tax rate was 22.7% in the current quarter, compared with 21.1% in the fourth quarter of 2020, and 23.2% in the third quarter of 2021. The effective tax rate and adjusted effective tax rate were lower in the prior year primarily due to earnings mix, including the impact of lower pre-tax income in the prior year. 

For further information on non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios in this Provision for Income Taxes and Other Taxes section, refer to the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section.

Capital Management

BMO continues to manage its capital within the framework described in the Enterprise-Wide Capital Management section of BMO's 2021 Annual MD&A.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Regulatory Capital Review

BMO's Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Ratio was 13.7% as at October 31, 2021, an increase from 13.4% at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2021, driven by retained earnings growth, partially offset by higher source currency risk-weighted assets (RWA).

CET1 Capital was $44.5 billion as at October 31, 2021, an increase from $43.3 billion as at July 31, 2021, primarily due to retained earnings growth.

RWA were $325.4 billion as at October 31, 2021, an increase from $322.5 billion as at July 31, 2021, primarily due to increased asset size and to a lesser extent, higher market risk, partially offset by changes in asset quality.

Our Tier 1 and Total Capital Ratios were 15.4% and 17.6%, respectively, as at October 31, 2021, compared with 15.1% and 17.4%, respectively, as at July 31, 2021. The Tier 1 and Total Capital Ratios were higher than the prior quarter, due to the factors affecting the CET1 Ratio.

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 capital ratios. We may manage the impact of foreign exchange movements on our capital ratios and did so during the current quarter. Any such activities could also impact our book value and return on equity.

BMO's Leverage Ratio was 5.1% as at October 31, 2021, an increase from 5.0% as at July 31, 2021, as higher Tier 1 Capital was partially offset by higher leverage exposures.

Regulatory Capital

Regulatory capital requirements for BMO are determined in accordance with the Capital Adequacy Requirements (CAR) Guideline and the Leverage Requirements (LR) Guideline issued by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), which is based on the capital standards developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. For more information refer to the Enterprise-Wide Capital Management section of BMO's 2021 Annual MD&A.

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

Under Canada's Bank Recapitalization (Bail-In) Regime, eligible senior debt issued on or after September 23, 2018, is subject to statutory conversion requirements. Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation has the power to trigger the conversion of bail-in debt into common shares in certain circumstances. This statutory conversion supplements non-viable contingent capital (NVCC) instruments, which must be converted in full, prior to the conversion of bail-in debt. The minimum Total Loss Absorbing Capacity (TLAC) requirements set by OSFI are a risk-based TLAC ratio of 24.0% of RWA, including a 2.5% DSB, and a TLAC leverage ratio of 6.75%, effective November 1, 2021. As at October 31, 2021, our TLAC ratio was 27.8% and our TLAC leverage ratio was 9.3%, disclosed in accordance with OSFI's Guideline.

If an NVCC trigger event were to occur, our NVCC instruments would be converted into BMO common shares pursuant to automatic conversion formulas, with a conversion price based on the greater of: (i) a floor price of $5.00; and (ii) the current market price of our common shares at the time of the trigger event (calculated using a 10-day weighted average). Based on a floor price of $5.00, these NVCC capital instruments would be converted into approximately 3.2 billion BMO common shares, assuming no accrued interest and no declared and unpaid dividends.

Regulatory Capital Position ⁽¹⁾

Other Capital Developments

During the quarter, 1.6 million common shares were issued through the exercise of stock options.

OSFI's expectation that federally regulated financial institutions should not increase dividends or undertake share repurchases, set in March 2020, remained in effect until November 4, 2021.

On December 3, 2021, we announced our intention, subject to the approval of OSFI and the Toronto Stock Exchange, to establish a new normal course issuer bid (NCIB) for up to 22.5 million common shares. The NCIB is a regular part of our capital management strategy. Once approvals are obtained, the share repurchase program will permit us to purchase BMO common shares for the purpose of cancellation. The timing and amount of purchases under the NCIB are subject to regulatory approvals and to management discretion based on factors, such as market conditions and capital levels. We will consult with OSFI before making purchases under the NCIB.

Dividends

On December 3, 2021, BMO announced that the Board of Directors had declared a quarterly dividend on common shares of $1.33 per share, an increase of $0.27 per share or 25% from the prior quarter and the prior year. The dividend is payable on February 28, 2022 to shareholders of record on February 1, 2022. 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. Until further notice, such additional common shares will be purchased on the open market.

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. Refer to the Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.

Review of Operating Groups' Performance

How BMO Reports Operating Group Results

BMO reports financial results for its three operating groups, one of which comprises two operating segments, all of which are supported by Corporate Units and Technology and Operations within Corporate Services. Operating group results include treasury-related allocations in revenue, non-interest expense allocations from Corporate Units and Technology and Operations (T&O) and allocated capital.

BMO employs funds transfer pricing and liquidity transfer pricing between Treasury and the operating groups to assign the appropriate cost and credit to funds for the appropriate pricing of loans and deposits, and to help assess the profitability performance of each line of business. These practices also capture the cost of holding supplemental liquid assets to meet contingent liquidity requirements and facilitate the management of interest rate risk and liquidity risk within our risk appetite framework and regulatory requirements. We review our transfer pricing methodologies at least annually, to align with our interest rate, liquidity and funding risk management practices.

The costs of Corporate Units and Technology and Operations services are largely allocated to the four operating segments, with any remaining amounts retained in Corporate Services. Costs directly incurred to support a specific operating group are generally allocated to that operating group. Other costs that are not directly attributable to a specific operating group are allocated across the operating groups, reasonably reflective of the level of support provided to each operating group. Cost allocation methodologies are reviewed annually.

Capital is allocated to the operating segments based on the amount of regulatory capital required to support business activities. Unallocated capital is reported in Corporate Services. Capital allocation methodologies are reviewed annually.

Periodically, certain lines of business and units within our organizational structure are realigned to support our strategic priorities. In addition, allocations of revenue, provisions for credit losses, expenses and capital are updated periodically to better align with current experience.

We analyze revenue at the consolidated level based on GAAP revenue as reported in the audited annual consolidated financial statements, rather than on a taxable equivalent basis (teb), which is consistent with our Canadian banking peer group. Like many banks, BMO analyzes 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 pre-tax basis in order 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.

Personal and Commercial Banking (P&C) ⁽¹⁾

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 reported net income was $1,433 million, an increase of $462 million or 48% from the prior year. These operating segments are reviewed separately in the sections that follow.

For further information on non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios in this Review of Operating Groups' Performance section, refer to the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section.

Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking (Canadian P&C) ⁽¹⁾

Q4 2021 vs. Q4 2020

Canadian P&C reported net income was $921 million, increasing $274 million or 42% from the prior year.

Total revenue was $2,304 million, an increase of $273 million or 13% from the prior year. Net interest income increased $168 million or 11%, due to higher deposit and loan balances and higher loan margins, partially offset by lower deposit margins. Non-interest revenue increased $105 million or 22%across most categories, including higher card-related revenue and gains on investments in our commercial business. Net interest margin of 2.63% increased 3 basis points, primarily driven by higher loan margins, partially offset by lower deposit margins that reflect the impact of the lower interest rate environment.

Personal revenue increased $137 million or 11%, and commercial revenue increased $136 million or 17%, both due to higher net interest income and higher non-interest revenue.

Total recovery of the provision for credit losses was $5 million, compared with a provision for credit losses of $191 million in the prior year. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans was $89 million, a decrease of $91 million due to lower commercial and consumer provisions. There was a $94 million recovery of the provision for credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter, compared with a $11 million provision in the prior year.

Non-interest expense was $1,065 million, an increase of $97 million or 10% from the prior year, reflecting investments in the business, including employee-related costs, as well as technology and marketing costs.

Average gross loans and acceptances increased $20.1 billion or 8% from the prior year to $271.1 billion. Personal loan balances increased 9%, commercial loan balances increased 6% and credit card balances increased 2%. Average deposits increased $14.4 billion or 7% to $232.4 billion. Commercial deposits increased 16%, while personal deposits were relatively unchanged, with strong growth in chequing and savings account deposits, largely offset by a decline in term deposits.

Q4 2021 vs. Q3 2021

Reported net income was $921 million, an increase of $106 million or 13% from the prior quarter.

Total revenue was $2,304 million, an increase of $63 million or 3% from the prior quarter. Net interest income increased $52 million or 3%, due to higher loan and deposit balances. Non-interest revenue increased $11 million or 2%, with increases across most categories, including higher card-related revenue, partially offset by lower gains on investments in our commercial business. Net interest margin of 2.63% increased 1 basis point from the prior quarter.

Personal revenue increased $47 million or 4%, due to higher net interest income and higher non-interest revenue. Commercial revenue increased $16 million or 2%, due to higher net interest income, partially offset by lower non-interest revenue.

Total recovery of the provision for credit losses was $5 million, compared with a provision for credit losses of $94 million in the prior quarter. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans decreased $12 million due to lower consumer provisions, partially offset by higher commercial provisions. There was a $94 million recovery of the provision for credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter, compared with a $7 million recovery in the prior quarter.

Non-interest expense was $1,065 million, an increase of $19 million or 2% from the prior quarter, reflecting continued investments in the business, including employee-related and other costs.

Average gross loans and acceptances increased $6.5 billion or 2% from the prior quarter. Personal loan balances increased 2%, commercial loan balances increased 2% and credit card balances increased 5%. Average deposits increased $5.3 billion or 2%, with 4% growth in commercial deposits and an increase of 1% in personal deposits, as continued strong growth in chequing and savings account deposits was partially offset by a decline in term deposits.

For further information on non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios in this Review of Operating Groups' Performance section, refer to the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section.

U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking (U.S. P&C) ⁽¹⁾

Q4 2021 vs. Q4 2020

U.S. P&C reported net income was $512 million, an increase of $188 million or 58% from the prior year. The impact of the weaker U.S. dollar reduced net income by 8%, revenue by 6% and expenses by 5%. All amounts in the remainder of this section are on a U.S. dollar basis.

Reported net income was $408 million, an increase of $162 million or 66% from the prior year.

Total revenue was $1,101 million, an increase of $94 million or 9% from the prior year. Net interest income increased $56 million or 7% due to higher loan margins, higher loan and deposit balances and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)⁽¹⁾ revenue resulting from loan forgiveness, partially offset by lower deposit margins. Non-interest revenue increased $38 million or 18%, including higher lending fee revenue and advisory fee revenue. Net interest margin of 3.46% increased 12 basis points, primarily due to higher loan margins, accelerated PPP revenue receipts from loan forgiveness, partially offset by lower deposit margins reflecting the impact of the lower interest rate environment.

Personal revenue increased $4 million or 1%, due to higher net interest income, partially offset by lower non-interest revenue. Commercial revenue increased $90 million or 13%, due to higher non-interest revenue and higher net interest income.

Total recovery of the provision for credit losses was $24 million, compared with a provision for credit losses of $135 million in the prior year. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans was $2 million, a decrease of $38 million, largely due to lower commercial provisions. There was a $26 million recovery of the provision for credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter, compared with a $95 million provision in the prior year.

Reported non-interest expense was $593 million, an increase of $29 million or 5% from the prior year, reflecting higher employee-related and marketing costs.

Average gross loans and acceptances increased $2.9 billion or 3% from the prior year to $93.3 billion. The reduction in PPP loans reduced loan growth by 4%. Commercial loan balances increased 4% and personal loan balances were relatively unchanged. Average deposits increased $7.8 billion or 7% to $113.8 billion, reflecting the higher levels of liquidity retained by customers. Commercial deposits increased 16%, while personal deposits decreased 3%, as continued growth in chequing and savings account deposits was more than offset by lower term deposits.

Q4 2021 vs. Q3 2021

Reported net income was $512 million, a decrease of $41 million or 8% from the prior quarter.The impact of the stronger U.S. dollar increased net income, revenue and expenses by 2%, respectively. All amounts in the remainder of this section are on a U.S. dollar basis.

Reported net income was $408 million, a decrease of $40 million or 9% from the prior quarter.

Total revenue was $1,101 million, an increase of $3 million from the prior quarter. Net interest income increased $5 million or 1%, due to higher loan and deposit balances, partially offset by lower PPP-related revenue. Non-interest revenue decreased $2 million or 1% from the prior quarter. Net interest margin of 3.46% decreased 3 basis points from the prior quarter, driven by changes in balance sheet mix.

Personal revenue decreased $4 million, due to lower non-interest revenue, partially offset by higher net interest income. Commercial revenue increased $7 million, primarily due to higher non-interest revenue.

Total recovery of the provision for credit losses was $24 million, compared with a $49 million recovery in the prior quarter. The provision for credit losses on impaired loans was $2 million, compared with a $6 million recovery in the prior quarter, primarily due to higher consumer provisions. There was a $26 million recovery of the provision for credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter, compared with a $43 million recovery in the prior quarter.

Reported non-interest expense was $593 million, an increase of $34 million or 6%, primarily driven by higher employee-related costs and marketing costs.

Average gross loans and acceptances increased $1.5 billion or 2% from the prior quarter. Commercial loan balances increased 2%. The reduction in PPP loans reduced loan growth by 2%. Personal loan balances increased 1%. Average deposits increased $2.1 billion or 2% to $113.8 billion. Commercial deposits increased 3%, while personal deposits were relatively unchanged.

For further information on non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios in this Review of Operating Groups' Performance section, refer to the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section.

BMO Wealth Management ⁽¹⁾

Q4 2021 vs. Q4 2020

BMO Wealth Management reported net income was $369 million, an increase of $49 million or 15% from the prior year. Traditional Wealth reported net income was $318 million, an increase of $65 million or 26%. Insurance net income was $51 million, compared with $67 million in the prior year.

Total revenue was $1,535 million, an increase of $226 million or 17%. Revenue, net of CCPB, was $1,438 million, an increase of $129 million or 10%. Revenue in Traditional Wealth was $1,332 million, an increase of $150 million or 13%, due to higher non-interest revenue from growth in client assets, including stronger global markets. Higher net interest income was driven by strong deposit and loan growth, partially offset by lower margins. Insurance revenue, net of CCPB, was $106 million, a decrease of $21 million from the prior year, primarily due to benefits from changes in investments to improve asset liability management in the prior year,and the unfavourable impact of actuarial assumption changes in the current quarter, partially offset by business growth.

Non-interest expense was $956 million, an increase of $74 million or 9% from the prior year, primarily due to higher revenue-based costs, technology-related investments and employee-related costs.

Assets under management increased $40.7 billion or 8%, and assets under administration increased $15.5 billion or 4% from the prior year, primarily due to higher client assets, including stronger global markets, partially offset by attrition of low-yielding assets and foreign exchange movements. Average gross loans increased 11% and average deposits increased 14%.

Q4 2021 vs. Q3 2021

Reported net income was $369 million, a decrease of $32 million or 8% from the prior quarter. Traditional Wealth reported net income was $318 million, a decrease of $10 million or 3%. Insurance net income was $51 million, a decrease of $22 million.

Total revenue was $1,535 million, a decrease of $891 million. Revenue, net of CCPB, of $1,438 million was relatively unchanged from the prior quarter. Traditional Wealth revenue was $1,332 million, an increase of $24 million or 2%, due to higher net interest income, as well as higher non-interest revenue from stronger global equity markets, partially offset by lower brokerage revenue. Insurance revenue, net of CCPB, was $106 million, a decrease of $28 million, driven by benefits from changes in investments to improve asset liability management in the prior quarter and the impact of unfavourable actuarial assumption changes in the current quarter.

Non-interest expense increased $43 million or 5%, primarily due to higher revenue-based costs and continued investment in the business, including investment in technology and marketing costs.

Assets under management decreased by $3.3 billion or 1%, and assets under administration decreased $30.5 billion or 7% from the prior quarter, as the benefit from stronger global markets was more than offset by the attrition of low-yielding assets and foreign exchange movements. Average gross loans increased 5%, and average deposits increased 6%.

For further information on non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios in this Review of Operating Groups' Performance section, refer to the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section.

BMO Capital Markets ⁽¹⁾

Q4 2021 vs. Q4 2020

BMO Capital Markets reported net income was $536 million, an increase of $157 million or 41% from the prior year.

Total revenue was $1,430 million, an increase of $52 million or 4% from the prior year. Global Markets revenue decreased $80 million or 9% due to lower interest rate and commodities trading revenue and the impact of the weaker U.S. dollar, partially offset by higher equities and foreign exchange trading revenue. Investment and Corporate Banking revenue increased $132 million or 25%, primarily driven by higher underwriting and advisory revenue and net securities gains, partially offset by lower corporate banking-related revenue and the impact of the weaker U.S. dollar.

Total recovery of the provision for credit losses was $88 million, compared with a provision for credit losses of $64 million in the prior year. The recovery of credit losses on impaired loans was $9 million, compared with a $105 million provision in the prior year. There was a $79 million recovery of the provision for credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter, compared with a recovery of $41 million in the prior year.

Non-interest expense was $803 million, an increase of $2 million from the prior year, as the impact of the weaker U.S. dollar and lower employee-related costs was offset by higher other operating costs.

Average gross loans and acceptances decreased $7.5 billion or 11% from the prior year to $58.8 billion, primarily due to the announced wind-down of our non-Canadian energy portfolio, the impact of the weaker U.S. dollar and lower loan utilizations.

Q4 2021 vs. Q3 2021

Reported net income was $536 million, a decrease of $22 million or 4% from the prior quarter.

Total revenue was $1,430 million, a decrease of $154 million or 10% from the prior quarter. Global Markets revenue decreased $107 million or 12%, due to lower equities and interest rate trading revenue. Investment and Corporate Banking revenue decreased $47 million or 7%, driven by lower underwriting revenue and corporate banking-related revenue, partially offset by higher advisory revenue and net securities gains.

Total recovery of the provision for credit losses was $88 million, compared with a recovery of $94 million in the prior quarter. The recovery of the provision for credit losses on impaired loans was $9 million, compared with a recovery of $19 million in the prior quarter. There was a $79 million recovery of the provision for credit losses on performing loans in the current quarter, compared with a recovery of $75 million in the prior quarter.

Non-interest expense was $803 million, a decrease of $115 million or 13% from the prior quarter, primarily due to lower performance-based compensation.

Average gross loans and acceptances increased $1.9 billion or 3% from the prior year to $58.8 billion, due to higher loan utilization and the impact of the stronger U.S. dollar, partially offset by the announced wind-down of our non-Canadian energy portfolio.

For further information on non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios in this Review of Operating Groups' Performance section, refer to the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section.

Corporate Services ⁽¹⁾

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, treasury, finance, legal and regulatory compliance, human resources, communications, marketing, real estate, and procurement. T&O develops, monitors, manages and maintains governance of information technology, including data and analytics, and also provides cyber security and operations services.

The costs of Corporate Units and T&O services are largely allocated to the four operating segments (Canadian P&C, U.S. P&C, BMO 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, and residual unallocated expenses.

Q4 2021 vs. Q4 2020

Corporate Services reported net loss was $179 million and adjusted net loss was $127 million, compared with a reported and adjusted net loss of $86 million in the prior year. Adjusted results in the current quarter excluded expenses of $52 million ($62 million pre-tax) from the impact of divestitures. Reported and adjusted results decreased due to lower revenue, driven by treasury-related activities, higher expenses, and the impact of a more favourable tax rate in the prior year.

Q4 2021 vs. Q3 2021

Reported net loss was $179 million and adjusted net loss was $127 million, compared with a reported and adjusted net loss of $52 million in the prior quarter. Reported and adjusted results decreased due to lower revenue, driven by lower securities gains and treasury-related activities, and higher expenses.

For further information on non-GAAP amounts, measures and ratios in this Review of Operating Groups' Performance section, refer to the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section.

Risk Management

Our risk management policies and processes to identify, assess, manage, monitor, mitigate and report our credit and counterparty, market, insurance, liquidity and funding, operational non-financial risk, including technology and cyber-related risks, legal and regulatory, strategic, environmental and social, and reputation risks are outlined in the Enterprise-Wide Risk Management section of BMO's 2021 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 BMO's website at www.bmo.com/investorrelations to review the 2021 Annual MD&A and audited annual consolidated financial statements, quarterly presentation materials and supplementary financial and regulatory information package.

Quarterly Conference Call and Webcast Presentations

Interested parties are also invited to listen to our quarterly conference call on Friday, December 3, 2021, at 8.00 a.m. (ET). The call may be accessed by telephone at 416-406-0743 (from within Toronto) or 1-800-898-3989 (toll-free outside Toronto), entering Passcode: 1365804#. A replay of the conference call can be accessed until December 28, 2021, by calling 905-694-9451 (from within Toronto) or 1-800-408-3053 (toll-free outside Toronto) and entering Passcode: 9195676#.

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 website.

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