A Bank of Montreal (BMO) logo is seen outside of a branch in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 14, 2019.
REUTERS/Chris Wattie/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTORONTO, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Bank of Montreal (BMO) (BMO.TO) is winding down its retail auto finance business and shifting focus to other areas in a move that will result in an unspecified number of job losses, Canada's third largest bank said on Saturday.
"By winding down the indirect retail auto finance business, we have the ability to focus our resources on areas where we believe our competitive positioning is strongest," BMO said in a statement to Reuters.
Under the indirect retail auto finance business, the bank provides financing to the vehicle seller instead of directly to the buyer, who makes monthly payments to the lender.
The United States now accounts for more than two-thirds of BMO's overall profits.
Persons:
Chris Wattie, Paul Hunsley, Gross, Nivedita Balu, Denny Thomas, Jane Merriman, Susan Fenton
Organizations:
of Montreal, BMO, REUTERS, Rights, Bank of Montreal, Reuters, Bank, Thomson
Locations:
Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, United States, California, Toronto