BMO Bank of Montreal today announced it has expanded its line-up of BMO Progressive GICs in response to growing investor demand for options that will protect and grow their investments.

These principal protected, equity-linked GICs provide investors with the potential for higher market-linked returns, while guaranteeing their original investment.

“We’re taking the best of a GIC, which offers 100% investment protection, and we’re adding in a safe way for investors to potentially grow their investments through stocks, stock indices or mutual funds,” said Julie Sheen, vp, BMO Term Investments, in a release.

BMO Progressive GICs are sold in a series. Each month, a new series will be available and at the end of each month, the sales period for the current series will close. All GICs within the series have a low minimum investment of $1,000, no fees and most are CDIC insured up to applicable limits.

“We are continuing to enhance our Progressive GICs based on the positive response we received to the first series launched in December. Investors told us that they are looking for shorter-term investments with guaranteed rates, as well as the potential for higher returns, regular income and some global exposure. Our new GICs address all of these elements,” said Sheen.

BMO Select GIC offers the combined benefit of principal protection plus the opportunity to participate in the growth of a select, high-performing sector of the market. It has a 3.5 year term investment that provides 100% participation in the growth of the S&P/TSX Banks Index up to 25%, with 100% principal protection.

BMO Income Enriched GIC offers a guaranteed rate of return plus the opportunity for significantly enhanced income through participation in the potential growth of a diversified portfolio of companies. It has a three-year term investment that provides income diversification, the potential for significantly enhanced income of up to 19.5%, depending on the performance of a diversified portfolio of global companies, and includes a 2.5% guaranteed rate.

BMO Growth GIC offers the combined power of principal protection and participation in the potential growth of a select portfolio of equities. It has a four-year term investment that provides a diversified solution, maximizing the potential of the market. This investment offers 100% participation in the positive performance of a select portfolio of investments, up to 35%, with 100% principal protection.

“Investment professionals at BMO Bank of Montreal will work with investors to understand their particular circumstances to determine which investments will work best for them,” added Sheen.

BMO Term Investments is part of BMO Financial Group’s Private Client Group. BMO’s Private Client Group provides integrated wealth management services in Canada and the United States and had total assets under management and administration and term investments of $299.86 billion as at April 30, 2007.