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(August 17, 2006) BMO Capital Markets has announced it will offer investment banking services in China, through its new office in Beijing. BMO Capital Markets already operates in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

“We consider this the next vital step to achieving our objective of becoming a most trusted adviser to Chinese business leaders,” said Tony Comper, president and CEO, BMO Financial Group. “We appreciate the trust that the Bank of China placed in us earlier this year, and we will work hard to earn the trust of other leading Chinese businesses.”

The new office will help leading Chinese companies looking to acquire assets in North America by providing equity capital markets services, as well as mergers and acquisitions advisory services.

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Two men face BCSC hearing

(August 17, 2006) The BCSC has announced a hearing into alleged misconduct by Stanley Steven Ross and Edward Bernard Johnson. Ross is the sole director, officer and owner of Fortune Capital Management. Johnson is a registered representative with Golden Capital Securities Limited in Vancouver.

Ross is alleged to have violated section 34 of the B.C. Securities Act, by trading securities in his own name through an Ontario dealer, as well as in the name of a third party at securities dealers in the province. Those actions allegedly violated an order issued against him in July 1999, which suspended his exemption under section 161(1)(c)of the Act.

Johnson is alleged to have allowed Ross to trade in one of the nominee accounts and is also accused of making false statements while being interviewed by Commission investigators.

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RCMP charge ex-CRA employee

(August 17, 2006) The RCMP has laid 15 criminal charges, including fraud over $5000 and breach of trust by a public officer, against a former employee of the CRA.

Diane Speranza of Toronto is accused of having tampered with the tax filings of acquaintances, resulting in fraudulent refunds totalling about $270,000. The alleged offences took place between July 1998 and October 2005. She is scheduled to appear in court on August 25.

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(08/17/06)