BMO Financial Group has agreed to acquire the Australia-based capital markets business of Euroz Hartleys Group, a move that would expand BMO’s investment banking reach in one of the world’s key metals and mining markets. Financial terms were not disclosed, and Euroz Hartleys Group’s private wealth business will remain independent.
The proposed transaction is designed to strengthen BMO’s global metals and mining investment banking platform by adding a stronger local capital markets presence in Australia. It also sets up an ongoing relationship between the capital markets operations moving to BMO and Euroz Hartleys Group’s independent private wealth business.
BMO to Acquire Euroz Hartleys Capital Markets Business
Under the agreement, BMO Financial Group will acquire the Australia-based capital markets business of Euroz Hartleys Group. While the capital markets unit is set to become part of BMO, Euroz Hartleys Group’s private wealth business will continue to operate independently.
As part of the structure, the private wealth business will enter into a strategic alliance with BMO. That arrangement is intended to preserve collaboration, research access and distribution opportunities between the capital markets and private wealth businesses after the transaction closes.
Transaction Timeline and Approval Requirements
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2026. Completion remains subject to Euroz Hartleys shareholder approval, regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
Because the deal has not yet closed, the integration plan and team transition remain contingent on those approvals and conditions being satisfied.
Why BMO Is Making the Acquisition
BMO said the acquisition will combine its global metals and mining franchise with one of Australia’s leading equity distribution platforms. The transaction is aimed at deepening BMO’s position in a sector where Australia plays an important role in capital formation.
Australia is a major centre for metals and mining capital formation, with a market comparable to Canada and growing influence across global markets. For BMO, adding an Australia-based capital markets platform would improve its ability to connect clients, issuers and investors across multiple regions.
How the Deal Expands BMO’s Global Platform
BMO expects the acquisition to enhance its integrated presence across North America, Europe and Australia. The broader goal is to improve connectivity across those markets, particularly in metals and mining investment banking and related capital markets activity.
This cross-regional expansion is a central strategic point of the deal. By adding local Australian capital markets capabilities to its existing global network, BMO is positioning itself to support clients more effectively across key mining finance hubs.
Team Transfer and Australia Operations
Approximately 40 Euroz Hartleys Group team members are expected to join BMO Capital Markets when the transaction closes. That transfer would give BMO additional on-the-ground capabilities in Australia while expanding the reach of its existing investment banking platform.
BMO has maintained a presence in Australia since 2004, with an office in Melbourne. The acquisition would build on that long-standing presence by adding a larger local capital markets platform in a market that is strategically important to the bank’s metals and mining business.
About Euroz Hartleys Group’s Business
Euroz Hartleys is a Western Australian financial services firm offering private wealth, institutional broking and corporate finance services. Its capital markets capabilities span equities research, institutional sales and trading, equity capital markets and M&A advisory.
That mix of services helps explain why the business is relevant to BMO’s strategy. The acquisition brings together BMO’s existing global franchise with Australian distribution and execution capabilities in a market that matters for resources-focused capital raising.
Advisers on the Transaction
BMO Capital Markets acted as BMO’s exclusive financial adviser on the transaction. DLA Piper and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt served as legal counsel to BMO.
Grant Samuel advised Euroz Hartleys Group, while Steinepreis Paganin served as legal counsel.
What the Deal Means
If completed, the acquisition would give BMO a stronger local platform in Australia’s metals and mining capital markets while extending its integrated reach across North America, Europe and Australia. At the same time, Euroz Hartleys Group’s private wealth business would remain independent, supported by a strategic alliance intended to maintain collaboration, research access and distribution opportunities.
