TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 11/23/12 -- BMO InvestorLine has been named the top bank-owned online brokerage firm in Canada for the second consecutive year in the 14th annual Globe and Mail ranking of online brokers. Overall, BMO InvestorLine ranked among the top three leading online brokerages in Canada.

The survey ranks each online broker by cost, account information, trading, tools and innovation categories. Twelve firms were evaluated from across Canada.

"We are thrilled to be recognized again by The Globe and Mail as a top online broker," said Viki Lazaris, CEO, BMO InvestorLine. "It's a testament to our team's ability to continue to exceed the needs of our clients and provide investors with the tools and resources needed to help them make better investing decisions."

Ms Lazaris noted that this was a particularly exciting year for BMO InvestorLine with the introduction of adviceDirect, an innovative and personalized service that provides investing advice to online investors. The first service of its kind in Canada, adviceDirect puts investors in control by providing specific investment recommendations to help them manage their portfolios.

BMO InvestorLine also took top overall honours for client satisfaction in The Globe and Mail survey with a mean score of 3.6 out of four. This was based on responses from 1,200 Globe readers who completed an online survey ranking their degree of satisfaction with the services offered by their online broker.

"We're thrilled that BMO InvestorLine placed first in client satisfaction," said Ms. Lazaris. "This helps validate our ongoing focus on delivering an outstanding client experience. Online investing is constantly evolving and we pride ourselves in our ability to anticipate the needs of our clients. While one of the highlights of our year was the launch of adviceDirect, we have also continued to enhance our existing self-directed service - providing new and innovative tools and research."

Key recent enhancements to BMO InvestorLine's award-winning self-directed service have included:

--  An enhanced Holdings section: Service improves the way clients view and
    manage their holdings. 
    
--  Recognia's Value Analyzer: An intuitive tool that offers investors a
    quick way to identify and evaluate equity investment opportunities using
    the principles of value investing. 
    
--  Technical Insight: New tool designed to offer self-directed clients
    detailed analysis of market and security activity to help them identify,
    research and analyze new investing opportunities. 
    
--  Expanded research capabilities: Includes Quotes+ (which provides
    detailed information and research on equities, mutual funds and ETFs),
    Thomson Reuters' Morning News Call newsletter (in-depth daily overviews
    of what to expect in the Canadian and U.S. markets), and Morningstar
    Credit & Equity Reports and Picks Lists. 
    

For more information on online investing, please visit www.bmoinvestorline.com.

Get the latest BMO press releases via Twitter by following @BMOmedia.

About BMO InvestorLine

BMO InvestorLine is an online investing service that provides clients with two ways to invest online. Clients can choose from BMO InvestorLine's top ranked Self-Directed service that provides tools to help investors make independent decisions on how to invest. BMO InvestorLine's other service, adviceDirect(TM) provides investors with online advice and investment recommendations for their portfolios. Clients have access to trading, quotes and account information 24 hours a day through a website or Automated Telephone Trading. BMO InvestorLine also provides users with third party research, along with leading edge tools that are informative and easy to use. As an all-in-one investment source, it is a constantly evolving, cost-efficient platform that is fully compatible with tablets.

BMO InvestorLine Inc. and BMO Ligne D'action Inc. provide this commentary to clients for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is based on sources that we believe to be reliable, but is not guaranteed by us, may be incomplete or may change without notice. The comments included in this document are general in nature, and professional advice regarding an individual's particular position should be obtained.

An adviceDirect account is a non-discretionary fee based account which offers investment recommendations. adviceDirect does not provide portfolio management by a portfolio manager. The client makes their own investment decisions and manages their own investment portfolio. adviceDirect does not offer discretionary, managed accounts.

BMO InvestorLine Inc. is a member of BMO Financial Group.

® Registered trade-mark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence. BMO InvestorLine Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Montreal Holdings Inc. Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund and IIROC.