BMO NB's Preview of Cdn Bank Q1 2006 Earnings

Highlights� With bank earnings season beginning in two weeks, we believe that investors will be pleasantly surprised with results from Canada�s banks. Earnings growth (exclusive of unusual items) versus last year will be of the order of 5%, off what was a very strong first quarter last year. Cash ROEs look to remain in the 20%+ range.� The story this quarter will be the same as it was in the