BMO Mutual Funds has named Putnam Advisory Company LLC as the new portfolio manager for its BMO International Equity Fund.

Along with the addition of Putnam, BMO Mutual Funds is also shifting the portfolio management of four other funds.

Fleming Asset Management (Canada) Inc., part of the JP Morgan Fleming Asset Management Group, will be the portfolio manager for the BMO Emerging Markets Fund, BMO Far East Fund and BMO Latin American Fund.

Rothschild Asset Management Ltd. will be the portfolio manager of the BMO International Bond Fund.

As well, State Street Global Advisors, Ltd. will be advising on the Mexican portfolio of the BMO NAFTA Advantage Fund.

All portfolio management changes are effective November 1, 2001. JP Morgan, Rothschild and State Street have existing portfolio management relationships with BMO Mutual Funds.

“Putnam is a valuable addition to our portfolio management team,” said Ed Legzdins, president, BMO Mutual Funds. “We revisit our existing relationships with partners on an ongoing basis as part of our commitment to providing clients with the best possible expertise.”

Putnam Advisory Company LLC is part of Putnam Investments. As of August 31, 2001, Putnam managed US$313 billion in assets for more than 13 million shareholders and 2,500 institutional clients. Putnam has offices in Boston, London and Tokyo.

Putnam, State Street, Rothschild and JP Morgan replace existing portfolio managers Bancomer S.A. and Edinburgh Fund Managers plc.