The Bank of Montreal (TSX: BMO) announced a reorganization of its international capital markets division, consolidating leadership under a single executive to oversee operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Richard Couzens, currently head of BMO Europe, the Middle East and Africa, will assume the expanded role of head of international capital markets effective November 1. The move unifies oversight of BMO’s global capital markets activities, which have expanded in recent years amid efforts to diversify revenue streams beyond North America.
Chris Taves, who has led BMO’s Asia operations since January 2024, will step down from his role as head of Asia on January 31, 2027. In the first quarter of 2027, Taves will work alongside Couzens to assist with the transition, collaborating with Glenn Anson, head of global markets for Asia, and Lisa Xia, BMO’s China country head. Taves joined BMO in 2009 and was appointed to his current position following a series of leadership changes in the bank’s international capital markets unit.
The restructuring was announced by Alan Tannenbaum, CEO of BMO Capital Markets. Canadian banks have increasingly focused on international expansion in capital markets to mitigate risks associated with trade tensions between the United States and Canada, while investor confidence has been bolstered by supportive policies under Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government.
The changes reflect BMO’s broader strategy to strengthen its global footprint, particularly in high-growth regions such as Asia and the EMEA region, where regulatory and economic conditions have presented both challenges and opportunities for expansion.
