TORONTO, Aug. 3, 2021 /CNW/ - BMO Insurance is now offering a suite of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment options for its Universal Life Insurance policyholders. Recognizing the increased interest in responsible investing, BMO Insurance's new ESG indexed accounts enable policyholders to align their investment preferences with their values and sustainability goals, while receiving the coverage and benefits of Universal Life Insurance.

"The increased awareness of social, environmental and economic issues over the past year have inspired many Canadians to take a responsible approach to their investment portfolios and wealth management, including insurance," said Daniel Walsh, SVP and Head, Individual Insurance & Annuities, BMO Insurance. "Offering ESG indexed accounts enables Canadians to enjoy the protection and assurance of life insurance on their own terms by also linking the returns on their policies to socially responsible companies that are consistent with their values, goals and priorities."

Bridging Values, Protection and Performance

By balancing performance with protection, BMO Insurance's ESG indexed accounts are designed with equity style returns, combined with the benefits of universal life insurance and the tax-deferred growth it offers. In addition to over 200 accounts currently offered, BMO Insurance Universal Life Insurance policyholders can select five new indexed accounts that are linked to the performance of ESG funds managed by BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM). The indexed accounts now available include:

• BMO Balanced ESG ETF (ZESG)
• BMO MSCI Canada ESG Leaders Index ETF (ESGA)
• BMO MSCI USA ESG Leaders Index ETF (ESGY)
• BMO MSCI EAFE ESG Leaders Index ETF (ESGE)
• BMO Sustainable Opportunities Global Equity Fund

The ESG indexed accounts are available for any new or in force Life Dimensions, Life Dimensions (Low Fees) or Wealth Dimensions policy.

For more information on BMO Insurance's universal life investment options, please visit bmoinvestpro.ca. 

For more information on BMO GAM's ESG solutions, please visit bmo.com/esg.

^®/™Registered trademarks/trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence.

BMO Global Asset Management is a brand name that comprises BMO Asset Management Inc., BMO Investments Inc., BMO Asset Management Corp., BMO Asset Management Limited and BMO's specialized investment management firms. 

Commissions, management fees and expenses (if applicable) may be associated with investments in mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs). Trailing commissions may be associated with investments in mutual funds. Please read the fund facts, ETF Facts or prospectus of the relevant mutual fund or ETF before investing. Mutual funds and ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

For a summary of the risks of an investment in BMO Mutual Funds or BMO ETFs, please see the specific risks set out in the prospectus of the relevant mutual fund or ETF. BMO ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase the risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.

BMO Mutual Funds are offered by BMO Investments Inc., a financial services firm and separate entity from Bank of Montreal. BMO ETFs are managed and administered by BMO Asset Management Inc., an investment fund manager and portfolio manager and separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.

About BMO Financial Group
Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider - the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of $950 billion as of April 30, 2021, and a team of diverse and highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group

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