"Canadian employment not only defied expectations in December, it also appears to be defying gravity, " said Doug Porter, the Bank of Montreal's deputy chief economist.

BBC: US unemployment rate holds steady in December at 7.8%

In the process it leapfrogged Bank Of Montreal in our rankings.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Bank of Montreal CEO Bill Downe said the move was an effort involved in a strategy to strengthen the Canadian bank's North American businesses.

FORBES: Magazine Article

At Bank of Montreal, where he worked in the early 2000s, he raised concerns about an energy transaction, according to other people.

WSJ: Corzine Rebuffed Internal Warnings on Risks at MF Global

Bank of Montreal shares are currently trading up about 2.1% on the day.

FORBES: Bullish Two Hundred Day Moving Average Cross - BMO

Bank of Montreal shares are currently trading up about 0.8% on the day.

FORBES: Bank of Montreal (BMO) Shares Cross Above 200 DMA