Big Troubles at Small Banks
Distilling opportunity out of complexity
Navigating complexity is a critical investment skill. Choppy and dislocated markets, as well as an erratic political and social landscape, amplify the importance of understanding the interconnection between securities, asset classes and markets.
Strong collaboration and deliberate action inform our partnerships. You can count on us to spend the time needed to understand how and why markets are moving and the opportunities that emerge from uncertainty.
Whether you are re-evaluating a portfolio strategy or narrowing in on a tactical allocation, you can expect our team of investment experts to work closely with you to identify tailored, market-aware solutions.
Multi-Asset + Strategic Asset Allocation
Interested in how strategic asset allocation can form the foundation for optimal portfolio construction? Read about the Multi Asset Solutions Team’s Strategic Asset Allocation framework.
Aligning your needs with our investment capabilities
Multi-asset solutions
- Long term strategic asset allocation strategies employing both fundamental and quantitative analysis to tactically adjust equity, bond, alternatives, and geography weightings
- Style and factor tilts applied depending on macro factors
Alternatives
- Access to innovative alternative solutions and exclusive offerings (such as private equity, real estate and infrastructure)
- Designed to enhance yield opportunities and reduce correlation to traditional markets
Derivatives
- Solutions designed to hedge risk across diverse asset classes and take advantage of better risk adjusted outcomes
- Access to significant options managers well practiced in derivative solutions
Synthetic asset management
- Collateral optimization seeks to strategically source and manage eligible assets in a cost-effective way to enhance overall return on collateral
Global equities
- Sector focused investment style; designed to be flexible, collaborative, global, and scalable
- Solutions combining best sector ideas focused on alpha generation and high-touch client service
Fundamental equities
- Strategies focused on companies’ fundamentals, valuations and competitive advantages designed to deliver long-term value
Disciplined equities
- Blended strategies combining quantitative and fundamental analysis to help drive better long-term results
Active fixed income and liquidity solutions
- Active management strategies with rigorous risk management focused on delivering superior returns and ensuring capital preservation
- Liquidity solutions devised to offer higher liquidity value
ETF strategies and solutions
- Broad offering of passive and active ETF capabilities across all asset classes
- Customized ETF solutions designed to meet immediate or long-term portfolio goals
Responsible investment strategies and solutions
- Deep expertise in design solutions and approaches to meet the rigorous standards of both social responsibility and fundamental financial analysis
People Spotlight

Jeffrey Shell, MBA, MSc
Jeff joined BMO Global Asset Management in August of 2021 from BMO Capital Markets, where he served as head of Global Financial Institutions, with responsibilities that included serving Asset and Wealth managers. Previous to this, Jeff had a number of leadership roles at BMO including heading Trade Finance, Treasury & Payments Solutions and Asia Corporate Banking, in addition to serving as an advisor in Corporate Strategy. Prior to BMO, Jeff worked as a strategy consultant, as a university researcher and as an entrepreneur. He has authored a number of patents related to advanced technology interface design. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Queen’s University and an MBA from Cornell University.

Kristi Mitchem
Kristi Mitchem is Co-Chief Executive Officer and head of BMO Global Asset Management (BMO GAM), BMO’s asset management division, where she co-leads a team of investment professionals dedicated to delivering investment solutions across a range of asset classes including multi-asset, alternative and more traditional exposure to listed fixed income and equities. Prior to joining BMO in 2019, Ms. Mitchem served as the CEO of Wells Fargo Asset Management where she led 28 autonomous investment teams. She has more than 20 years of experience in roles related to asset management, defined contribution pension plans and equities markets at State Street Corporation, BlackRock, and Goldman Sachs. Ms. Mitchem is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. At State Street she was a driving force in bringing to market a gender diversity index exchange-traded fund (ticker: SHE) designed to invest in U.S. companies committed to advancing the roles women play in their management and on their boards. Ms. Mitchem was named one of the Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business by the San Francisco Business Times in 2018, as one of the Top Women in Asset Management by Money Management Executive in 2017, and as one of Treasury & Risk’s Top 100 Influential People in 2008. She is also listed in several patent filings focused around guaranteed income requirements. Ms. Mitchem earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Davidson College, where she graduated summa cum laude and was awarded First Honors. She earned a master’s degree in business administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she was an Arjay Miller Scholar. She is also a Fulbright Scholar.

Alfred Lee, CFA, CMT, DMS
Alfred is a portfolio manager at BMO Asset Management Inc. where he manages fixed income and preferred share related mandates for both institutional and retail clients. As part of the global fixed income management team, he is involved in the management and trading of a wide variety of portfolios including Canadian bonds, U.S. investment grade, high yield, European and Asian bonds, emerging market debt and others. Previously, he worked for a large Canadian based brokerage developing ETF related strategies and sat on the firm’s investment committee. Alfred is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, majoring in economics and holds the CFA, Chartered Market Technician and Derivatives Market Specialist and DMS designations.
The viewpoints expressed by these individuals represent their assessment of the markets at the time of publication. Those views are subject to change without notice at any time without any kind of notice. The information provided herein does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy, or an offer to sell securities nor should the information be relied upon as investment advice.
Insights

Banking and Bad Apples: The Aftermath of SVB


The Volatility Wild Card

Big Troubles at Small Banks


Chairman Powell’s Senate Shocker


Fighting Climate Change ‘Like a Girl’

