U.S. commercial lending

BMO needs 2.8 more points of U.S. return on equity to hit its October 2027 target

BMO lifted its U.S. return on equity to 9.2% from a 3.1% low in the fourth quarter of 2024 after selling 138 branches and lower-returning loan portfolios. With the pruning done, the last 2.8 points to its 12% goal for October 2027 depend on growing a commercial-heavy loan book.