BMO Capital Markets reports it has significantly strengthened its U.S. fixed income business with the hiring of five municipal bond sales and trading professionals.

Formerly with LaSalle Financial Services, the group will be based in Chicago and will be responsible for selling municipal bonds to a wide range of BMO’s institutional and corporate clients across the United States.

“We have added an extremely experienced team that will further enhance BMO’s existing fixed income and municipal bond capabilities. It has been our intention to strengthen and grow this business,” says Charlie Piermarini, executive managing director and head of debt products & securitization, BMO Capital Markets.

Richard Bodkin joins BMO Capital Markets as a Director and Sales Manager. He has 28 years of fixed income trading and sales experience, including three years with LaSalle Financial Services and 13 years with Bank One Capital Markets.

Randall Laible who has 17 years experience in municipal bond sales, including seven with LaSalle Financial Services. He joins BMO Capital Markets as a Director.

Charles Montgomery joins BMO Capital Markets as a Director with 14 years experience in municipal bond sales, 10 with LaSalle Financial Services.

Edward Murphy has been appointed Director, BMO Capital Markets. He has 20 years of experience as a municipal bond trader, including 10 years with LaSalle Financial Services.

John Zubak joins BMO Capital Markets as a Director with 13 years of sales and trading experience, including eight with LaSalle Financial Services.