Registration Statement No.333-264388
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

 

Pricing Supplement dated May 25, 2023 to the Prospectus dated May 26, 2022,
the Prospectus Supplement dated May 26, 2022 and the Product Supplement dated September 22, 2022

 

 

 

US$513,000
Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series I
Digital Return Notes due May 31, 2028
Linked to the EURO STOXX 50® Index

 

·The notes are designed for investors who are seeking a potential 34.00% digital return (the "Digital Return”) based on the performance of the EURO STOXX 50® Index (the “Reference Asset”) . The Digital Return will be paid if the Final Level (as defined below) of the Reference Asset is greater than or equal to 100.00% of its level on the Pricing Date (the “Initial Level”).
·If the Final Level of the Reference Asset decreases from its Initial Level, investors will receive a cash amount at maturity that is equal to the principal amount.
·Investing in the notes is not equivalent to a hypothetical direct investment in the Reference Asset.
·The notes do not bear interest. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
·All payments on the notes are subject to the credit risk of Bank of Montreal.
·The notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.
·The CUSIP number of the notes is 06374VUE4.
·Our subsidiary, BMO Capital Markets Corp. (“BMOCM”), is the agent for this offering. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below.
·The notes will not be subject to conversion into our common shares or the common shares of any of our affiliates under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (the “CDIC Act”).

 

Terms of the Notes:

 

 Pricing Date:  May 25, 2023    Valuation Date:  May 25, 2028
 Settlement Date:  May 31, 2023    Maturity Date:  May 31, 2028

  Price to Public1 Agent’s Commission1 Proceeds to Bank of Montreal1

Per Note

Total

100%

3.50%

$17,955.00

96.50%

$495,045.00

 

1 The total “Agent’s Commission” and “Proceeds to Bank of Montreal” specified above reflect the aggregate amounts at the time Bank of Montreal established its hedge positions on or prior to the Pricing Date, which may have been variable and fluctuated depending on market conditions at such times. Certain dealers who purchased the notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may have foregone some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the notes in these accounts was between $965.00 and $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount.

 

Investing in the notes involves risks, including those described in the “Selected Risk Considerations” section beginning on page P-5 hereof, the “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section beginning on page PS-5 of the product supplement, and the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-1 of the prospectus supplement and on page 8 of the prospectus.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these notes or passed upon the accuracy of this document, the product supplement, the prospectus supplement or the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The notes will be our unsecured obligations and will not be savings accounts or deposits that are insured by the United States Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Deposit Insurance Fund, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality or other entity.

 

On the date hereof, based on the terms set forth above, the estimated initial value of the notes is $916.89 per $1,000 in principal amount. However, as discussed in more detail below, the actual value of the notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.

 

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS

 

   
 

 

Key Terms of the Notes:

 

Reference Asset: The EURO STOXX 50® Index (ticker symbol "SX5E"). See "The Reference Asset" below for additional information.
   
Payment at Maturity:

If the Final Level of the Reference Asset is greater than or equal to its Digital Barrier Level, then the amount that investors will receive at maturity for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes will equal:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 x Digital Return)

 

If the Final Level of the Reference Asset is less than its Initial Level, then investors will, for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, receive the principal amount of $1,000 and no additional return.

   
Digital Return: 34.00%
   
Percentage Change:

The quotient, expressed as a percentage, of the following formula:

 

(Final Level - Initial Level)
Initial Level

   
Initial Level:2 4,269.64 which was the closing level of the Reference Asset on the Pricing Date.
   
Digital Barrier Level: 100.00% of the Initial Level.
   
Final Level: The closing level of the Reference Asset on the Valuation Date.
   
Pricing Date: May 25, 2023
   
Settlement Date: May 31, 2023
   
Valuation Date:1 May 25, 2028
   
Maturity Date:1 May 31, 2028
   
Calculation Agent: BMOCM
   
Selling Agent: BMOCM

 

1 Subject to the occurrence of a market disruption event, as described in the accompanying product supplement.

 

2As determined by the calculation agent and subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. See “General Terms of the Notes — Adjustments to a Reference Asset that Is an Index” in the product supplement for additional information.

 

 2 
 

 

Payoff Example

 

The following table shows the hypothetical payout profile of an investment in the notes based on various hypothetical Final Levels (and the corresponding Percentage Change) of the Reference Asset, reflecting the 34.00% Digital Return. Please see “Examples of the Hypothetical Payment at Maturity for a $1,000 Investment in the Notes” below for more detailed examples.

 

 
Hypothetical Percentage Change
of the Reference Asset
 
  
Participation in Percentage
Change
 
  
Hypothetical Return of the
Notes
 


30%

 

10%

34.00% Digital Return

 



34.00%

 

34.00%



-50%

 

-100%

No Upside Payment

 



0%

 

0%

 

 3 
 

 

Additional Terms of the Notes

 

You should read this document together with the product supplement dated September 22, 2022, the prospectus supplement dated May 26, 2022 and the prospectus dated May 26, 2022. This document, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the notes and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, fact sheets, brochures or other educational materials of ours or the agent. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes in the product supplement, as the notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the notes.

 

You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):

 

Product supplement dated September 22, 2022:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/927971/000121465922011396/j922220424b2.htm

 

Prospectus supplement and prospectus dated May 26, 2022:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000927971/000119312522160519/d269549d424b5.htm

 

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 927971. As used in this document, "we", "us" or "our" refers to Bank of Montreal.

 

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Selected Risk Considerations

 

An investment in the notes involves significant risks. Investing in the notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Reference Asset. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section of the product supplement.

 

Risks Related to the Structure or Features of the Notes

 

·Your return on the notes is limited to the Digital Return, regardless of any appreciation in the level of the Reference Asset. — The return on your notes will not be greater than the Digital Return. This will be the case even if the Percentage Change of the Reference Asset, which reflects the increase or decrease in the level of the Reference Asset over the term of the notes, is significantly greater than the Digital Return. You will only receive the Digital Return if the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Digital Barrier Level.
·Your return on the notes may be lower than the return on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity. — The return that you will receive on your notes, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. The notes do not provide for interest payments and the payment you receive at maturity, if any, may be less than the principal amount of the notes. Even if your return on the notes is positive, your return may be less than the return you would earn if you bought a conventional senior interest bearing debt security of ours with the same maturity or if you invested directly in the Reference Asset. Your investment may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you take into account factors that affect the time value of money.

 

Risks Related to the Reference Asset

 

·Owning the notes is not the same as a hypothetical direct investment in the Reference Asset or a security directly linked to the Reference Asset. — The return on your notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you made a hypothetical direct investment in the Reference Asset or the underlying securities of the Reference Asset or a security directly linked to the performance of the Reference Asset or the underlying securities of the Reference Asset and held that investment for a similar period. Your notes may trade quite differently from the Reference Asset. Changes in the level of the Reference Asset may not result in comparable changes in the market value of your notes. Even if the level of the Reference Asset increases during the term of the notes, the market value of the notes prior to maturity may not increase to the same extent. It is also possible for the market value of the notes to decrease while the level of the Reference Asset increases.
·You will not have any shareholder rights and will have no right to receive any shares of any company included in the Reference Asset at maturity. — Investing in your notes will not make you a holder of any securities included in the Reference Asset. Neither you nor any other holder or owner of the notes will have any voting rights, any right to receive dividends or other distributions, or any other rights with respect to such underlying securities.
·We have no affiliation with the index sponsor and will not be responsible for the index sponsor's actions. — The sponsor of the Reference Asset is not our affiliate and will not be involved in the offering of the notes in any way. Consequently, we have no control over the actions of any index sponsor, including any actions of the type that would require the calculation agent to adjust the payment to you at maturity. The index sponsor has no obligation of any sort with respect to the notes. Thus, the index sponsor has no obligation to take your interests into consideration for any reason, including in taking any actions that might affect the value of the notes. None of our proceeds from the issuance of the notes will be delivered to the index sponsor.
·You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to the Reference Asset. — In the ordinary course of their businesses, our affiliates from time to time may express views on expected movements in the levels of the Reference Asset or the prices of the securities included in the Reference Asset. One or more of our affiliates have published, and in the future may publish, research reports that express views on the Reference Asset or these securities. However, these views are subject to change from time to time. Moreover, other professionals who deal in the markets relating to the Reference Asset at any time may have significantly different views from those of our affiliates. You are encouraged to derive information concerning the Reference Asset from multiple sources, and you should not rely on the views expressed by our affiliates. Neither the offering of the notes nor any views which our affiliates from time to time may express in the ordinary course of their businesses constitutes a recommendation as to the merits of an investment in the notes.

 

Risks Relating to the EURO STOXX 50® Index

 

·An investment in the notes is subject to risks associated with foreign securities markets. — The EURO STOXX 50® Index tracks the value of certain foreign equity securities. You should be aware that investments in securities linked to the value of foreign equity securities involve particular risks. The foreign securities markets may have less liquidity and may be more volatile than U.S. or other securities markets and market developments may affect foreign markets differently from U.S. or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize these foreign securities markets, as well as cross-shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading prices and volumes in these markets. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than about those U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC, and foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.
Prices of securities in foreign countries are subject to political, economic, financial and social factors that apply in those geographical regions. These factors, which could negatively affect those securities markets, include the possibility of recent or future changes in a foreign government’s economic and fiscal policies, the possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to foreign companies or investments in foreign equity securities and the possibility of fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies, the possibility of outbreaks of hostility and political instability and the possibility of natural disaster or adverse public health developments in the region. Moreover, foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in important respects such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.
·An investment in the notes is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. — The value of the EURO STOXX 50® Index will fluctuate based in part upon changes in the value of the currencies in which the relevant stocks are traded. Accordingly, investors in the notes will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the currencies in which the stocks represented by the EURO STOXX 50® Index are traded. An investor’s net exposure will depend on the extent to which these currencies strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar.

 

 5 
 

 

General Risk Factors

 

·Your investment is subject to the credit risk of Bank of Montreal. — Our credit ratings and credit spreads may adversely affect the market value of the notes. Investors are dependent on our ability to pay any amounts due on the notes, and therefore investors are subject to our credit risk and to changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness. Any decline in our credit ratings or increase in the credit spreads charged by the market for taking our credit risk is likely to adversely affect the value of the notes.
·Potential conflicts. — We and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the notes, including acting as calculation agent. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the notes. We or one or more of our affiliates may also engage in trading of securities included in a Reference Asset on a regular basis as part of our general broker-dealer and other businesses, for proprietary accounts, for other accounts under management or to facilitate transactions for our customers. Any of these activities could adversely affect the level of the Reference Asset and, therefore, the market value of, and the payments on, the notes. We or one or more of our affiliates may also issue or underwrite other securities or financial or derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the performance of the Reference Asset. By introducing competing products into the marketplace in this manner, we or one or more of our affiliates could adversely affect the market value of the notes.
·Our initial estimated value of the notes is lower than the price to public. — Our initial estimated value of the notes is only an estimate, and is based on a number of factors. The price to public of the notes exceeds our initial estimated value, because costs associated with offering, structuring and hedging the notes are included in the price to public, but are not included in the estimated value. These costs include any underwriting discount and selling concessions, the profits that we and our affiliates expect to realize for assuming the risks in hedging our obligations under the notes and the estimated cost of hedging these obligations.
·Our initial estimated value does not represent any future value of the notes, and may also differ from the estimated value of any other party. — Our initial estimated value of the notes as of the date hereof is derived using our internal pricing models. This value is based on market conditions and other relevant factors, which include volatility of the Reference Asset, dividend rates and interest rates. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide values for the notes that are greater than or less than our initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors after the Pricing Date are expected to change, possibly rapidly, and our assumptions may prove to be incorrect. After the Pricing Date, the value of the notes could change dramatically due to changes in market conditions, our creditworthiness, and the other factors set forth herein and in the product supplement. These changes are likely to impact the price, if any, at which we or BMOCM would be willing to purchase the notes from you in any secondary market transactions. Our initial estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which we or our affiliates would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market at any time.
·The terms of the notes were not determined by reference to the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. — To determine the terms of the notes, we used an internal funding rate that represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. As a result, the terms of the notes are less favorable to you than if we had used a higher funding rate.
·Certain costs are likely to adversely affect the value of the notes. — Absent any changes in market conditions, any secondary market prices of the notes will likely be lower than the price to public. This is because any secondary market prices will likely take into account our then-current market credit spreads, and because any secondary market prices are likely to exclude all or a portion of any underwriting discount and selling concessions, and the hedging profits and estimated hedging costs that are included in the price to public of the notes and that may be reflected on your account statements. In addition, any such price is also likely to reflect a discount to account for costs associated with establishing or unwinding any related hedge transaction, such as dealer discounts, mark-ups and other transaction costs. As a result, the price, if any, at which BMOCM or any other party may be willing to purchase the notes from you in secondary market transactions, if at all, will likely be lower than the price to public. Any sale that you make prior to the Maturity Date could result in a substantial loss to you.
·Lack of liquidity. — The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. BMOCM may offer to purchase the notes in the secondary market, but is not required to do so. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the notes easily. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the notes, the price at which you may be able to trade the notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which BMOCM is willing to buy the notes.
·Hedging and trading activities. — We or any of our affiliates have carried out or may carry out hedging activities related to the notes, including purchasing or selling shares of securities included in the Reference Asset, futures or options relating to the Reference Asset or securities included in the Reference Asset or other derivative instruments with return liked or related to changes in the performance on the Reference Asset or securities included in the Reference Asset. We or our affiliates may also trade in the securities included in the Reference Asset or instruments related to the Reference Asset or such securities from time to time. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the Pricing Date and during the term of the notes could adversely affect the payments on the notes.
·Many economic and market factors will influence the value of the notes. — In addition to the level of the Reference Asset and interest rates on any trading day, the value of the notes will be affected by a number of economic and market factors that may either offset or magnify each other, and which are described in more detail in the product supplement.
·U.S. taxpayers will be required to pay taxes on the notes each year. — The notes will likely be treated as debt instruments subject to special rules governing contingent payment debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If you are a United States holder (as defined in the accompanying prospectus), you generally will be required to pay taxes on ordinary income over the term of the notes based on the comparable yield for the notes, even though you will not receive any payments from us until maturity. This comparable yield is determined solely to calculate the amounts you will be taxed on prior to maturity and is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of what the actual yield will be. Any gain you may recognize on the sale or maturity of the notes will be ordinary income. Any loss you may recognize upon the sale of the notes will generally be ordinary loss to the extent of the interest you included as income in the current or previous taxable years in respect of the notes and thereafter will be capital loss.

 

Please read carefully the section entitled "U.S. Federal Tax Information" in this pricing supplement, the section entitled "Supplemental Tax Considerations—Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the accompanying product supplement, the section entitled "United States Federal Income Taxation" in the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled "Certain Income Tax Consequences" in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax situation.

 

 6 
 

 

Examples of the Hypothetical Payment at Maturity for a $1,000 Investment in the Notes

 

The following table illustrates the hypothetical payments on a note at maturity. The hypothetical payments are based on a $1,000 investment in the note, a hypothetical Initial Level of 100.00, a hypothetical Digital Barrier Level of 100.00 (100.00% of the hypothetical Initial Level), range of hypothetical Final Levels and the effect on the payment at maturity.

 

The hypothetical examples shown below are intended to help you understand the terms of the notes. The actual cash amount that you will receive at maturity will depend upon the Final Level of the Reference Asset. You may lose some or all of the principal amount at maturity.

 

 

 

Hypothetical Final Level Hypothetical Final Level
Expressed as a Percentage of the
Initial Level
Hypothetical Payment at
Maturity
Hypothetical Return on the
Notes
200.00 200.00% $1,340.00 34.00%
180.00 180.00% $1,340.00 34.00%
160.00 160.00% $1,340.00 34.00%
140.00 140.00% $1,340.00 34.00%
120.00 120.00% $1,340.00 34.00%
100.00 100.00%  $1,340.00  34.00%
90.00 90.00%  $1,000.00  0.00%
80.00 80.00%  $1,000.00  0.00%
70.00 70.00%  $1,000.00  0.00%
60.00 60.00%  $1,000.00  0.00%
50.00 50.00%  $1,000.00  0.00%
40.00 40.00%  $1,000.00  0.00%
30.00 30.00%  $1,000.00  0.00%
20.00 20.00%  $1,000.00  0.00%
10.00 10.00%  $1,000.00  0.00%
0.00 0.00%  $1,000.00  0.00%

The following examples illustrate how the returns set forth in the table above are calculated.

 

Example 1: The level of the Reference Asset decreases from the hypothetical Initial Level of 100.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of 90.00, representing a Percentage Change of -10.00%. Because the Percentage Change of the Reference Asset is negative, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,000.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes.

 

Example 2: The level of the Reference Asset increases from the hypothetical Initial Level of 100.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of 140.00, representing a Percentage Change of 40.00%. Because the hypothetical Final Level of the Reference Asset is greater than its hypothetical Initial Level, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,340.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 x 34.00%) = $1,340.00

 

If the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Digital Barrier Level, you will receive a return equal to the Digital Return. Your potential return is limited to the Digital Return regardless of any potential positive performance of the Reference Asset.

 

 7 
 

 

U.S. Federal Tax Information

 

We intend to treat the notes, and in the opinion of our counsel, Mayer Brown LLP, the notes should be treated, as debt instruments subject to the special rules governing contingent payment debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please see the discussion in the product supplement dated September 22, 2022 under “Supplemental Tax Considerations—Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Notes Treated as Indebtedness—Where the Term of the Notes Exceeds One Year,” which applies to the notes.

 

 8 
 

 

Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)

 

BMOCM will purchase the notes from us at a purchase price reflecting the commission set forth on the cover hereof. BMOCM has informed us that, as part of its distribution of the notes, it will reoffer the notes to other dealers who will sell them. Each such dealer, or each additional dealer engaged by a dealer to whom BMOCM reoffers the notes, will receive a commission from BMOCM, which will not exceed the commission set forth on the cover page.  

 

Certain dealers who purchase the notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forego some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the notes in these accounts may be less than 100% of the principal amount, as set forth on the cover page of this document. Investors that hold their notes in these accounts may be charged fees by the investment advisor or manager of that account based on the amount of assets held in those accounts, including the notes. 

 

We will deliver the notes on a date that is greater than two business days following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than two business days prior to the issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement. 

 

We own, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding equity securities of BMOCM, the agent for this offering. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, BMOCM may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer. 

 

You should not construe the offering of the notes as a recommendation of the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the Reference Asset or as to the suitability of an investment in the notes. 

 

BMOCM may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the notes. BMOCM will determine any secondary market prices that it is prepared to offer in its sole discretion. 

 

We may use this pricing supplement in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, BMOCM or another of our affiliates may use this pricing supplement in market-making transactions in any notes after their initial sale. Unless BMOCM or we inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used by BMOCM in a market-making transaction.

 

For a period of approximately three months following issuance of the notes, the price, if any, at which we or our affiliates would be willing to buy the notes from investors, and the value that BMOCM may also publish for the notes through one or more financial information vendors and which could be indicated for the notes on any brokerage account statements, will reflect a temporary upward adjustment from our estimated value of the notes that would otherwise be determined and applicable at that time. This temporary upward adjustment represents a portion of (a) the hedging profit that we or our affiliates expect to realize over the term of the notes and (b) any underwriting discount and the selling concessions paid in connection with this offering. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will decline to zero on a straight-line basis over the three-month period. 

 

The notes and the related offer to purchase notes and sale of notes under the terms and conditions provided herein do not constitute a public offering in any non-U.S. jurisdiction, and are being made available only to individually identified investors pursuant to a private offering as permitted in the relevant jurisdiction. The notes are not, and will not be, registered with any securities exchange or registry located outside of the United States and have not been registered with any non-U.S. securities or banking regulatory authority. The contents of this document have not been reviewed or approved by any non-U.S. securities or banking regulatory authority. Any person who wishes to acquire the notes from outside the United States should seek the advice or legal counsel as to the relevant requirements to acquire these notes.

 

British Virgin Islands. The notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the laws and regulations of the British Virgin Islands, nor has any regulatory authority in the British Virgin Islands passed comment upon or approved the accuracy or adequacy of this document. This pricing supplement and the related documents shall not constitute an offer, invitation or solicitation to any member of the public in the British Virgin Islands for the purposes of the Securities and Investment Business Act, 2010, of the British Virgin Islands.

 

Cayman Islands. Pursuant to the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, no invitation may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for the notes by or on behalf of the issuer unless at the time of such invitation the issuer is listed on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange. The issuer is not presently listed on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange and, accordingly, no invitation to the public in the Cayman Islands is to be made by the issuer (or by any dealer on its behalf). No such invitation is made to the public in the Cayman Islands hereby.

 

Dominican Republic. Nothing in this pricing supplement constitutes an offer of securities for sale in the Dominican Republic. The notes have not been, and will not be, registered with the Superintendence of Securities Market of the Dominican Republic (Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores), under Dominican Securities Market Law No. 249-17 (“Securities Law 249-17”), and the notes may not be offered or sold within the Dominican Republic or to, or for the account or benefit of, Dominican persons (as defined under Securities Law 249-17 and its regulations). Failure to comply with these directives may result in a violation of Securities Law 249-17 and its regulations.

 

Israel. This pricing supplement is intended solely for investors listed in the First Supplement of the Israeli Securities Law of 1968, as amended. A prospectus has not been prepared or filed, and will not be prepared or filed, in Israel relating to the notes offered hereunder. The notes cannot be resold in Israel other than to investors listed in the First Supplement of the Israeli Securities Law of 1968, as amended.

 

No action will be taken in Israel that would permit an offering of the notes or the distribution of any offering document or any other material to the public in Israel. In particular, no offering document or other material has been reviewed or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. Any material provided to an offeree in Israel may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose, nor be furnished to any other person other than those to whom copies have been provided directly by us or the selling agents.

 

 9 
 

 

Nothing in this pricing supplement or any other offering material relating to the notes, should be considered as the rendering of a recommendation or advice, including investment advice or investment marketing under the Law For Regulation of Investment Advice, Investment Marketing and Investment Portfolio Management, 1995, to purchase any note. The purchase of any note will be based on an investor’s own understanding, for the investor’s own benefit and for the investor’s own account and not with the aim or intention of distributing or offering to other parties. In purchasing the notes, each investor declares that it has the knowledge, expertise and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the risks and merits of an investment in the notes, without relying on any of the materials provided.

 

Mexico. The notes have not been registered with the National Registry of Securities maintained by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission and may not be offered or sold publicly in Mexico. This pricing supplement and the related documents may not be publicly distributed in Mexico. The notes may only be offered in a private offering pursuant to Article 8 of the Securities Market Law.

 

Switzerland. The notes may not be distributed to retail investors in Switzerland. This pricing supplement shall not be dispatched, copied to or otherwise made available to any person in Switzerland, and the notes may not be offered for sale to any person in Switzerland, except in accordance with Swiss law.

 

The notes are not offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland on the basis of a public offering and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other offering or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Accordingly, neither this pricing supplement or any other marketing material constitute a prospectus as defined in article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus as defined in article 32 of the Listing Rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Any sales or resales of the notes may only be undertaken on a private basis to selected individual investors in compliance with Swiss law. By accepting this pricing supplement or by purchasing the notes, investors are deemed to have acknowledged and agreed to abide by these restrictions.

 

The notes may also be sold in the following jurisdictions, provided, in each case, any sales are made in accordance with all applicable laws in such jurisdiction:

 

·Barbados

·Bermuda

 

 10 
 

 

Additional Information Relating to the Estimated Initial Value of the Notes

 

Our estimated initial value of the notes on the date hereof that is set forth on the cover hereof, equals the sum of the values of the following hypothetical components:

 

·a fixed-income debt component with the same tenor as the notes, valued using our internal funding rate for structured notes; and 

·one or more derivative transactions relating to the economic terms of the notes. 

 

The internal funding rate used in the determination of the initial estimated value generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The value of these derivative transactions is derived from our internal pricing models. These models are based on factors such as the traded market prices of comparable derivative instruments and on other inputs, which include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. As a result, the estimated initial value of the notes on the Pricing Date was determined based on the market conditions on the Pricing Date. 

 

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The Reference Asset

 

All disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Reference Asset, including, without limitation, their make-up, method of calculation, and changes in their components and their historical closing levels, have been derived from publicly available information prepared by the applicable sponsor. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, the sponsor. The sponsor owns the copyrights and all rights to the Reference Asset. The sponsor is under no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Reference Asset. Neither we nor BMO Capital Markets Corp. accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Reference Asset or any successor. We encourage you to review recent levels of the Reference Asset prior to making an investment decision with respect to the notes.

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index (“SX5E”)

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index was created by STOXX Limited, a joint venture between Deutsche Börse AG and SIX Group AG. Publication of the EURO STOXX 50® Index began in February 1998, based on an initial Index level of 1,000 at December 31, 1991. On March 1, 2010, STOXX announced the removal of the “Dow Jones” prefix from all of its indices, including the EURO STOXX 50® Index. Additional information about the EURO STOXX 50® Index is available on the STOXX Limited website: stoxx.com. However, information included in that website is not included or incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement.

 

EURO STOXX 50® Index Composition and Maintenance

 

For each of the 20 EURO STOXX Supersector indices, the stocks are ranked in terms of free-float market capitalization. The largest stocks are added to the selection list until the coverage is close to, but still less than, 60% of the free-float market capitalization of the corresponding EURO STOXX TMI Supersector Index. If the next highest-ranked stock brings the coverage closer to 60% in absolute terms, then it is also added to the selection list. All current stocks in the index are then added to the selection list. All of the stocks on the selection list are then ranked in terms of free-float market capitalization to produce the final index selection list. The largest 40 stocks on the selection list are selected; the remaining 10 stocks are selected from the largest remaining current stocks ranked between 41 and 60; if the number of stocks selected is still below 50, then the largest remaining stocks are selected until there are 50 stocks. In exceptional cases, STOXX Limited’s management board can add stocks to and remove them from the selection list. The index stocks are subject to a capped maximum index weight of 10%, which is applied on a quarterly basis.

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index is composed of 50 component stocks of market sector leaders from within the 20 EURO STOXX® Supersector indices, which represent the Eurozone portion of the STOXX Europe 600® Supersector indices. The index stocks have a high degree of liquidity and represent the largest companies across a wide range of market sectors.

 

Composition and Maintenance of the EURO STOXX 50® Index

 

The composition of the EURO STOXX 50® Index is reviewed annually, based on the closing stock data on the last trading day in August. Changes in the composition of the EURO STOXX 50® Index are made to ensure that it includes the 50 market sector leaders from within the EURO STOXX Index.

 

The free float factors for each component stock used to calculate the EURO STOXX 50® Index, as described below, are reviewed, calculated, and implemented on a quarterly basis and are fixed until the next quarterly review.

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index is subject to a “fast exit rule.” The index stocks are monitored for any changes based on the monthly selection list ranking. A stock is deleted from the EURO STOXX 50® Index if: (a) it ranks 75 or below on the monthly selection list and (b) it ranked 75 or below on the selection list of the previous month. The highest-ranked non-component will be selected. Changes will be implemented on the close of the fifth trading day of the month, and are effective the next trading day.

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index is also subject to a “fast entry rule.” All stocks on the latest selection lists and initial public offering (IPO) stocks are reviewed for a fast-track addition on a quarterly basis. A stock is added, if (a) it qualifies for the latest blue-chip selection list generated end of February, May, August or November and (b) it ranks within the “lower buffer” (ranks 1-25) on this selection list.

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index is also reviewed on an ongoing basis. Corporate actions (including initial public offerings, mergers and takeovers, spin-offs, delistings, and bankruptcy) that affect the EURO STOXX 50® Index composition are immediately reviewed. Any changes are announced, implemented, and effective in line with the type of corporate action and the magnitude of the effect.

 

Calculation of the EURO STOXX 50® Index

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index is calculated with the “Laspeyres formula,” which measures the aggregate price changes against a fixed base quantity weight. The formula for calculating the EURO STOXX 50® Index value can be expressed as follows:

 

Index = free float market capitalization of the index at the time
divisor of the index at the time

 

The “free float market capitalization of the index” is equal to the sum of the products of the closing price, number of shares, free float factor and the weighting cap factor for each component company as of the time that the EURO STOXX 50® Index is being calculated.

 

The divisor of the EURO STOXX 50® Index is adjusted to maintain the continuity of the EURO STOXX 50® Index’s values across changes due to corporate actions, such as the deletion and addition of stocks, the substitution of stocks, stock dividends, and stock splits. Changes in weights due to corporate actions are distributed proportionally across all index components and equal an investment into the portfolio.

 

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License Agreement

 

We have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with STOXX, which grants us a license in exchange for a fee to use the EURO STOXX 50® Index in connection with the issuance of certain securities, including the notes.

 

STOXX and its licensors (the “Licensors”) have no relationship with us or BMOCM, other than the licensing of the EURO STOXX 50® Index and the related trademarks for use in connection with the notes.

 

STOXX and its Licensors do not:

 

·sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the notes.

 

·recommend that any person invest in the notes or any other securities.

 

·have any responsibility or liability for or make any decisions about the timing, amount or pricing of the notes.

 

·have any responsibility or liability for the administration, management or marketing of the notes.

 

·consider the needs of the notes or the owners of the notes in determining, composing or calculating the EURO STOXX 50® Index or have any obligation to do so.

 

STOXX and its Licensors will not have any liability in connection with the notes. Specifically,

 

·STOXX and its Licensors do not make any warranty, express or implied, and disclaim any and all warranty about:

 

·the results to be obtained by the notes, the owner of the notes or any other person in connection with the use of the EURO STOXX 50® Index and the data included in the EURO STOXX 50® Index;

 

·the accuracy or completeness of the EURO STOXX 50® Index and its data;

 

·the merchantability and the fitness for a particular purpose or use of the EURO STOXX 50® Index or its data;

 

·STOXX and its Licensors will have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions in the EURO STOXX 50® Index or its data; and

 

·any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages or losses, even if STOXX knows that they might occur.

 

The licensing agreement among us, BMOCM and STOXX is solely for the benefit of the parties thereto and not for the benefit of the owner of the notes or any other third parties.

 

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Validity of the Notes

 

In the opinion of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, the issue and sale of the notes has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Bank in conformity with the Senior Indenture, and when this pricing supplement has been attached to, and duly notated on, the master note that represents the notes, the notes will have been validly executed and issued and, to the extent validity of the notes is a matter governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, or the laws of Canada applicable therein, and will be valid obligations of the Bank, subject to the following limitations (i) the enforceability of the Senior Indenture may be limited by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (Canada), the Winding-up and Restructuring Act (Canada) and bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, arrangement or winding-up laws or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; (ii) the enforceability of the Senior Indenture may be limited by equitable principles, including the principle that equitable remedies such as specific performance and injunction may only be granted in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction; (iii) pursuant to the Currency Act (Canada) a judgment by a Canadian court must be awarded in Canadian currency and that such judgment may be based on a rate of exchange in existence on a day other than the day of payment; and (iv) the enforceability of the Senior Indenture will be subject to the limitations contained in the Limitations Act, 2002 (Ontario), and such counsel expresses no opinion as to whether a court may find any provision of the Senior Debt Indenture to be unenforceable as an attempt to vary or exclude a limitation period under that Act. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the Provinces of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable thereto. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all as stated in the letter of such counsel dated May 26, 2022, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.3 to Bank of Montreal’s Form 6-K filed with the SEC and dated May 26, 2022.

 

In the opinion of Mayer Brown LLP, when this pricing supplement has been attached to, and duly notated on, the master note that represents the notes, and the notes have been issued and sold as contemplated herein, the notes will be valid, binding and enforceable obligations of Bank of Montreal, entitled to the benefits of the Senior Indenture, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith). This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York. Insofar as this opinion involves matters governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, or the laws of Canada applicable therein, Mayer Brown LLP has assumed, without independent inquiry or investigation, the validity of the matters opined on by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Canadian legal counsel for the issuer, in its opinion expressed above. This opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the Senior Indenture and the genuineness of signatures and to such counsel’s reliance on the Bank of Montreal and other sources as to certain factual matters, all as stated in the legal opinion of Mayer Brown LLP dated May 26, 2022, which has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K by the Bank of Montreal on May 26, 2022.

 

 

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