TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan 16, 2014) - BMO Group Retirement Services, a part of BMO Global Asset Management, today announced the rollout of its integrated cross-border retirement services platform, with capabilities to serve clients who have a presence in both the U.S. and Canada.

"Our distinctive trust-based model, along with our cross-border focus on good plan governance, fee transparency, high-touch service and member education, allow us to support our clients' overall business strategy, while providing them the ease and consistency of working with a single provider," said Matt Smith, Managing Director Retirement Services, North America.

BMO Retirement Services also announced that international firm Zoeller Company, the oldest independently-owned sump pump manufacturer in the U.S., will be its first client to take advantage of this integrated platform. BMO had been providing Zoeller employees with corporate retirement services in the U.S. Moving forward, BMO will be bringing consistent retirement benefits to Zoeller's employees in Canada as well.

"We are very pleased to welcome Zoeller as a cross-border client," added Mr. Smith. "Our strongest client relationships develop from working with companies that share a similar philosophy regarding employer-sponsored retirement plans - helping people achieve retirement security. Companies who have employees in both the U.S. and Canada often wish to have a similar approach to their retirement programs in both countries. BMO Retirement Services is uniquely positioned to provide that experience."

By partnering with BMO Group Retirement Services, Zoeller can now manage the retirement plans of their employees in the U.S. and Canada consistently through a single recordkeeper - a benefit many plan sponsors are seeking.

For more information about BMO Group Retirement Services, please visit: www.bmo.com/grs.

About BMO Group Retirement Services

BMO Group Retirement Services Inc. is a full-service provider of group retirement savings plans. As part of BMO Global Asset Management and a division of BMO Financial Group, we offer the strength, security and exceptional governance of a Canadian Bank.

BMO Global Asset Management provides holistic, solution-driven services to our institutional and high-net-worth clients. Our commitment to service excellence has led us to be recognized by Pension & Investments as one of the Top 100 largest asset managers.

We are a part of BMO Financial Group (TSX:BMO)(NYSE:BMO), a fully diversified financial services organization with CA$537 billion total assets and more than 45,000 employees as of October 31, 2013.

Disclosures

® Registered trademark of the Bank of Montreal, used under license. Group Retirement Services are provided by BMO Group Retirement Services Inc. which is a group retirement services firm and a separate legal entity from the Bank of Montreal.