Bank of Montreal today reported that its first-quarter profit rose 4.7%.

Net income for the quarter rose to $630 million, or $1.22 a share, from $602 million, or $1.16 a share, a year earlier.

BMO said its revenue increased $73 million, or 3%, from a year ago to $2.51 billion. The bank said it took a $52 million provision for bad loans, compared with a $43 million provision last year.

“Fiscal 2006 is off to a good start, with solid year-over-year earnings growth,” said Tony Comper, BMO president and CEO.

The bank boosted its quarterly dividend by 4¢ to 53¢ a share.

The bank released its financial results in advance of the scheduled release date of March 2, after learning that partial results for the quarter had been distributed in error this afternoon to one group of employees within the bank.

BMO shares finished down 72¢ at $68.25 on the TSX.