HispanicBusiness

Relative to the fourth quarter of 2012, net income increased 30% and adjusted net income increased 25%. There was quarter-over-quarter growth in average loans as growth in the core commercial and industrial loan portfolio remains strong. This portfolio has increased $3.3 billion or 18% from a year ago with continued quarterly sequential growth.

We added 131 new commercial relationships during the quarter and continue to look for expansion opportunities into new geographic areas and specialties that align with our growth strategy. Additionally, we added a seasoned team of bankers and launched a franchise finance specialty lending group with the expectation of capturing a portion of this growing sector of the U.S. economy.

During the quarter, we were awarded 16 competitive Affordable Housing Program projects by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC). These projects allow us to support our communities through the development of affordable housing, and also provide us with opportunities to cross-sell our products and services. We were also awarded the FHLBC 2012 Community First Partnership Award in conjunction with the DuPage County Habitat for Humanity. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in affordable housing and community economic development between partnering FHLBC member institutions and non-profit organizations.

Private Client Group

Net income was $163 million, up $59 million or 56% from a year ago. Adjusted net income was $169 million, up $60 million or 54% from a year ago. Adjusted net income in Private Client Group (PCG), excluding Insurance, was $105 million, up $8 million or 8% from a year ago. Results reflect higher revenue, driven by growth in client assets, and focused cost management. The prior year's results benefited from higher than usual asset management revenue from a strategic investment. Adjusted net income in Insurance was $64 million, up $52 million, as revenues improved significantly due to the reduced impact of movements in long-term interest rates in the current quarter relative to a year ago and continued premiums growth in both creditor and life insurance businesses.

Assets under management and administration grew by $44 billion or 10% from a year ago to $479 billion, due to market appreciation and new client assets.

In late January, we completed the acquisition of a Hong Kong and Singapore-based wealth management services provider. Operating as BMO Private Bank in Asia, this acquisition will provide private banking services to high net worth individuals in the Asia-Pacific region, and supports BMO's plans to create a truly global service for wealthy individuals looking to manage their Asian and North American investments.

BMO InvestorLine was 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. BMO InvestorLine ranked among the top three leading online brokerages in Canada.

BMO Global Asset Management U.S. received three Wall Street Journal Category King rankings. Its BMO TCH Corporate Income Fund and BMO TCH Core Plus Bond Fund ranked in the top ten in terms of one-year performance in 2012 out of more than 600 funds and its BMO Intermediate Tax-free Fund's one-year performance in 2012 ranked in the top ten out of nearly 400 funds.

BMO Capital Markets

Net income for the current quarter was a very strong $310 million, up $86 million or 38% from a year ago. This performance was supported by our strategy of continuing to operate with a diversified portfolio of businesses and a strong client focus. These factors, coupled with an improving economic outlook, resulted in very good revenue performance in both the investment and corporate banking businesses, as well as the trading products business. In particular, there was good growth in mergers and acquisition activity and higher debt underwriting fees across our North American platform, as well as increases in trading revenue. Revenue increased $129 million or 17% from a year ago to $904 million.