Wednesday, Novernber 25, 1998 - North Shore News - 41

LAST JANUARY, WE AT BANK OF MONTREAL AND ROYAL BANK ANNOUNCED OUR PROPOSAL TO MERGE.

Since then, we have spent a great deal of time working together to determine what cur customers and other
Canadians most want to know. With so many questions about service charges, the future of community banking,
customer service and our commitment to small business, we believe you very much deserve some straight answers.
The purpose of this proposed merger is to build a better bank, which will benefit all Canadians and small business.
To this end, the new bank will do the following:
WE WILL REDUCE SERVICE CHARGES.

We will reduce personal banking package or plan fees by a minimum of 10%. And, we will lower other banking
costs by reducing some service fees and eliminating some altogether.

WE WILL NAVE MORE, QUALIFIED CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF.

We will have more, qualified customer service people. More people will mean more face-to-face banking.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SERVICE RURA: CANABA.

We will ensure that no small town, rural area or remote location will lose branch service as a result of the merger.

WE WILL HAVE A BERICATED KEW BANK FOR SHALL BUSINESS.
We will make $40 billion available to smail and medium-sized business. This figure is double our current
combined lending to this sector. We will create a new bank within a bank exclusively for small business with

reduced turnover of acceunt managers and more lending decisions made locally.

WE WILL [INCREASE BRANCH ACCESS.
We will increase our total number of staffed ouders from 2,500 to 3,000.

Most important, we pledge in the months ahead to listen carefully to whar you, our customers, have to say and
to continue the dialogue with you. By combining our talents, energy and zesources, we will be able to save money

and share those savings with our customers. We are sincerely determined zo build a bercer bank for all Canadians.

Auer ACR

Mathew W. Barrert John E. Cleghorn
Chainzan and Chicf Executive Officer Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Bank uf Montieal Royal Bank:

ag ROYAL BANK

You have our pledge on that.

faa Bankof Montreal

~ Call toll-free 1-877-842-2565 or visit our web site at www.proposedmerger.com to get your free copy