BMO Bank of Montreal

Our Economic Interests And Those Of Any Dealer Participating In The Offering Are Potentially Adverse To Your Interests.

You should be aware of the following ways in which our economic interests and those of WFS or any other dealer participating in the distribution of the securities, which we refer to as a “participating dealer,” are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities. In engaging in certain of the activities described below, our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may take actions that may adversely affect the value of and your return on the securities, and in so doing they will have no obligation to consider your interests as an investor in the securities. Our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may realize a profit from these activities even if investors do not receive a favorable investment return on the securities.

Risks Relating To Tax Matters

The Tax Consequences Of An Investment In The Securities Are Uncertain.

The tax treatment of the notes is uncertain. We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or from any Canadian authorities regarding the tax treatment of the securities, and the Internal Revenue Service or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described in this pricing supplement.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a notice indicating that it and the Treasury Department are actively considering whether, among other issues, a holder should be required to accrue interest over the term of an instrument such as “prepaid forward contracts” and other similar instruments even though that holder will not receive any payments with respect to the securities until maturity and whether all or part of the gain a holder may recognize upon sale or maturity of an instrument such as the securities could be treated as ordinary income. Any Treasury Regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could apply on a retroactive basis.

Please read carefully the section entitled “Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this pricing supplement. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax situation.

If the securities are automatically called:

If the securities are automatically called prior to stated maturity, you will receive the original offering price of your securities plus a final contingent coupon payment on the call settlement date. In the event the securities are automatically called, your total return on the securities will equal any contingent coupon payments received prior to the call settlement date and the contingent coupon payment received on the call settlement date.

If the securities are not automatically called:

If the securities are not automatically called prior to stated maturity, the following table illustrates, for a range of hypothetical performance factors of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day, the hypothetical maturity payment amount payable at stated maturity per security (excluding the final contingent coupon payment, if any). The performance factor of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is its ending level expressed as a percentage of its starting level (i.e., its ending level divided by its starting level). 

The above figures do not take into account contingent coupon payments, if any, received during the term of the securities. As evidenced above, in no event will you have a positive rate of return based solely on the maturity payment amount received at maturity; any positive return will be based solely on the contingent coupon payments, if any, received during the term of the securities.

The above figures are for purposes of illustration only and may have been rounded for ease of analysis. If the securities are not automatically called prior to stated maturity, the actual amount you will receive at stated maturity will depend on the actual ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day. The performance of the better performing Indices is not relevant to your return on the securities.

Set forth below are three examples that illustrate how to determine whether a contingent coupon payment will be paid and whether the securities will be automatically called, if applicable, on a quarterly contingent coupon payment date prior to the stated maturity date. The examples do not reflect any specific quarterly contingent coupon payment date. The following examples assume that the securities are subject to automatic call on the applicable calculation day. The securities will not be subject to automatic call until the second quarterly calculation day, which is approximately six months after the issue date. The following examples reflect the contingent coupon rate of 8.15% per annum and assume the hypothetical starting level, coupon threshold level and closing levels for each Index indicated in the examples. The terms used for purposes of these hypothetical examples do not represent any actual starting level or coupon threshold level. The hypothetical starting level of 100.00 for each Index has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual starting level for any Index. The actual starting level and coupon threshold level for each Index are set forth under “Terms of the Securities” above. For historical data regarding the actual closing levels of the Indices, see the historical information set forth herein. These examples are for purposes of illustration only and the values used in the examples may have been rounded for ease of analysis.

Example 1. The closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day is greater than or equal to its coupon threshold level and less than its starting level. As a result, investors receive a contingent coupon payment on the applicable quarterly contingent coupon payment date, and the securities are not automatically called.

Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day.

In this example, the NASDAQ-100 Index^® has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day.

Step 2: Determine whether a contingent coupon payment will be paid and whether the securities will be automatically called on the applicable quarterly contingent coupon payment date.

Since the hypothetical closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day is greater than or equal to its coupon threshold level, but less than its starting level, you would receive a contingent coupon payment on the applicable contingent coupon payment date, and the securities would not be automatically called. The contingent coupon payment would be equal to $20.38 per security, determined as follows: (i) $1,000 multiplied by 8.15% per annum divided by (ii) 4, rounded to the nearest cent.

Example 2. The closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day is less than its coupon threshold level. As a result, investors do not receive a contingent coupon payment on the applicable quarterly contingent coupon payment date, and the securities are not automatically called.

Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day.

In this example, the Russell 2000^® Index has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day.

Step 2: Determine whether a contingent coupon payment will be paid and whether the securities will be automatically called on the applicable quarterly contingent coupon payment date.

Since the hypothetical closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day is less than its coupon threshold level, you would not receive a contingent coupon payment on the applicable contingent coupon payment date. In addition, the securities would not be automatically called, even though the closing levels of the better performing Indices on the relevant calculation day are greater than their starting levels. As this example illustrates, whether you receive a contingent coupon payment and whether the securities are automatically called on a quarterly contingent coupon payment date will depend solely on the closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day. The performance of the better performing Indices is not relevant to your return on the securities.

Example 3. The closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day is greater than or equal to its starting level. As a result, the securities are automatically called on the applicable quarterly contingent coupon payment date for the original offering price plus a final contingent coupon payment.

Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day.

In this example, the Russell 2000^® Index has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day.

Step 2: Determine whether a contingent coupon payment will be paid and whether the securities will be automatically called on the applicable quarterly contingent coupon payment date.

Since the hypothetical closing level of the lowest performing Index on the relevant calculation day is greater than or equal to its starting level, the securities would be automatically called and you would receive the original offering price plus a final contingent coupon payment on the applicable contingent coupon payment date, which is also referred to as the call settlement date. On the call settlement date, you would receive $1,020.38 per security.

If the securities are automatically called prior to maturity, you will not receive any further payments after the call settlement date.

Set forth below are three examples of calculations of the maturity payment amount payable at stated maturity, assuming that the securities have not been automatically called prior to stated maturity and assuming the hypothetical starting level, downside threshold level and ending levels for each Index indicated in the examples. The terms used for purposes of these hypothetical examples do not represent any actual starting level or downside threshold level. The hypothetical starting level of 100.00 for each Index has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual starting level for any Index. The actual starting level and downside threshold level for each Index is set forth under “Terms of the Securities” above. For historical data regarding the actual closing levels of the Indices, see the historical information provided herein. These examples are for purposes of illustration only and the values used in the examples may have been rounded for ease of analysis.

Example 1. The ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is greater than its starting level, the maturity payment amount is equal to the original offering price of your securities at maturity and you receive a final contingent coupon payment:

Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

In this example, the NASDAQ-100 Index^® has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

Step 2: Determine the maturity payment amount based on the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

Since the hypothetical ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is greater than its hypothetical downside threshold level, the maturity payment amount would equal the original offering price. Although the hypothetical ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is significantly greater than its hypothetical starting level in this scenario, the maturity payment amount will not exceed the original offering price.

In addition to any contingent coupon payments received during the term of the securities, on the stated maturity date you would receive $1,000 per security as well as a final contingent coupon payment.

Example 2. The ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its starting level but greater than its downside threshold level, the maturity payment amount is equal to the original offering price of your securities at maturity and you receive a final contingent coupon payment:

Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

In this example, the Russell 2000^® Index has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

Step 2: Determine the maturity payment amount based on the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

Since the hypothetical ending level of the lowest performing Index is less than its hypothetical starting level, but not by more than 40%, you would be repaid the original offering price of your securities at maturity.

In addition to any contingent coupon payments received during the term of the securities, on the stated maturity date you would receive $1,000 per security as well as a final contingent coupon payment.

Example 3. The ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its starting level but greater than its downside threshold level and less than its coupon threshold level, the maturity payment amount is equal to the original offering price of your securities at maturity; you DO NOT receive a final contingent coupon payment:

Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

In this example, the Russell 2000^® Index has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

Step 2: Determine the maturity payment amount based on the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

Since the hypothetical ending level of the lowest performing Index is less than its hypothetical starting level, but not by more than 40%, you would be repaid the original offering price of your securities at maturity.

In addition to any contingent coupon payments received during the term of the securities, on the stated maturity date you would receive $1,000 per security. However, in this case, you would not receive the final contingent coupon payment, since the closing level of the lowest performing Index is less than the hypothetical coupon threshold level.

Example 4. The ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its downside threshold level, the maturity payment amount is less than the original offering price of your securities at maturity and you do not receive a final contingent coupon payment:

Step 1: Determine which Index is the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

In this example, the Russell 2000^® Index has the lowest performance factor and is, therefore, the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

Step 2: Determine the maturity payment amount based on the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day.

Since the hypothetical ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its hypothetical starting level by more than 40%, you would lose a portion of the original offering price of your securities and receive the maturity payment amount equal to $450.00 per security, calculated as follows:

= $1,000 × performance factor of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day

= $1,000 × 45.00%

= $450.00

In addition to any contingent coupon payments received during the term of the securities, on the stated maturity date you would receive $450.00 per security, but no final contingent coupon payment.

These examples illustrate that you will not participate in any appreciation of any Index, but will be fully exposed to a decrease in the lowest performing Index if the ending level of the lowest performing Index on the final calculation day is less than its downside threshold level, even if the ending levels of the other Indices have appreciated or have not declined below their respective downside threshold level.

To the extent that the starting level, coupon threshold level, downside threshold level and ending level of the lowest performing Index differ from the values assumed above, the results indicated above would be different. 

Bank of Montreal will issue the securities as part of a series of senior unsecured debt securities, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement. Information included in this pricing supplement supersedes information in the prospectus supplement and prospectus to the extent that it is different from that information.

Certain Definitions

A “trading day,” as to each Index, means a day, as determined by the calculation agent, on which (i) the relevant stock exchanges with respect to each security underlying that Index are scheduled to be open for trading for their respective regular trading sessions and (ii) each related futures or options exchange with respect to that Index is scheduled to be open for trading for its regular trading session.

The “relevant stock exchange” for any security underlying an Index means the primary exchange or quotation system on which such security is traded, as determined by the calculation agent.

The “related futures or options exchange” for an Index means an exchange or quotation system where trading has a material effect (as determined by the calculation agent) on the overall market for futures or options contracts relating to that Index.

Calculation Agent

BMOCM, our wholly owned subsidiary, will act as calculation agent for the securities and may appoint agents to assist it in the performance of its duties. Pursuant to a calculation agent agreement, we may appoint a different calculation agent without your consent and without notifying you.

The calculation agent will determine whether the securities are automatically called prior to stated maturity, the amount of the payment you receive upon automatic call or at stated maturity and the contingent coupon payments, if any. In addition, the calculation agent will, among other things:

All determinations made by the calculation agent will be at the sole discretion of the calculation agent and, in the absence of manifest error, will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on us and you. The calculation agent will have no liability for its determinations.

Market Disruption Events

A “market disruption event” with respect to each Index means any of the following events as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion:

For purposes of determining whether a market disruption event has occurred with respect to an Index:

If a market disruption event occurs or is continuing with respect to an Index on any calculation day, then that calculation day for such Index will be postponed to the first succeeding trading day for that Index on which a market disruption event for such Index has not occurred and is not continuing; however, if such first succeeding trading day has not occurred as of the eighth trading day for that Index after the originally scheduled calculation day, that eighth trading day shall be deemed to be the calculation day for such Index. If a calculation day has been postponed eight trading days for an Index after the originally scheduled calculation day and a market disruption event occurs or is continuing with respect to such Index on such eighth trading day, the calculation agent will determine the closing level of that Index on such eighth trading day in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the closing level of that Index last in effect prior to commencement of the market disruption event, using the closing price (or, with respect to any relevant security, if a market disruption event has occurred with respect to such security, its good faith estimate of the value of such security at the scheduled closing time of the relevant stock exchange for such security or, if earlier, the actual closing time of the regular trading session of such relevant stock exchange As used herein, “closing price” means, with respect to any security on any date, the relevant stock exchange traded or quoted price of such security as of the scheduled closing time of the relevant stock exchange for such security or, if earlier, the actual closing time of the regular trading session of such relevant stock exchange. Notwithstanding the postponement of a calculation day for an Index due to a market disruption event with respect to such Index on such calculation day, the originally scheduled calculation day will remain the calculation day for any Index not affected by a market disruption event on such day.

Adjustments to an Index

If at any time the method of calculating an Index or a successor equity index, or the closing level thereof, is changed in a material respect, or if an Index or a successor equity index is in any other way modified so that such index does not, in the opinion of the calculation agent, fairly represent the level of such index had those changes or modifications not been made, then the calculation agent will, at the close of business in New York, New York, on each date that the closing level of such index is to be calculated, make such calculations and adjustments as, in the good faith judgment of the calculation agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a level of an index comparable to such Index or successor equity index as if those changes or modifications had not been made, and the calculation agent will calculate the closing level of such Index or successor equity index with reference to such index, as so adjusted. Accordingly, if the method of calculating an Index or successor equity index is modified so that the level of such index is a fraction or a multiple of what it would have been if it had not been modified (e.g., due to a split or reverse split in such equity index), then the calculation agent will adjust such Index or successor equity index in order to arrive at a level of such index as if it had not been modified (e.g., as if the split or reverse split had not occurred).

Discontinuance of an Index

If a sponsor or publisher of an Index (each, an “index sponsor”) discontinues publication of an Index, and such index sponsor or another entity publishes a successor or substitute equity index that the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to such Index (a “successor equity index”), then, upon the calculation agent’s notification of that determination to the trustee, and the calculation agent will substitute the successor equity index as calculated by the relevant index sponsor or any other entity for purposes of calculating the closing level of such Index on any date of determination. Upon any selection by the calculation agent of a successor equity index, Bank of Montreal or one of its affiliates will cause notice to be given to holders of the securities.

In the event that an index sponsor discontinues publication of an Index prior to, and the discontinuance is continuing on, a calculation day and the calculation agent determines that no successor equity index is available at such time, the calculation agent will calculate a substitute closing level for such Index in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating such Index last in effect prior to the discontinuance, but using only those securities that comprised such Index immediately prior to that discontinuance. If a successor equity index is selected or the calculation agent calculates a level as a substitute for such Index, the successor equity index or level will be used as a substitute for such Index for all purposes, including the purpose of determining whether a market disruption event exists.

If on a calculation day an index sponsor fails to calculate and announce the level of an Index, the calculation agent will calculate a substitute closing level of such Index in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating such Index last in effect prior to the failure, but using only those securities that comprised such Index immediately prior to that failure; provided that, if a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on such day with respect to such Index, then the provisions set forth above under “—Market Disruption Events” shall apply in lieu of the foregoing.

Notwithstanding these alternative arrangements, discontinuance of the publication of, or the failure by the relevant index sponsor to calculate and announce the level of, an Index may adversely affect the value of the securities.

Events of Default and Acceleration

If an event of default with respect to the securities has occurred and is continuing, the amount payable to a holder of a security upon any acceleration permitted by the securities, with respect to each security, will be equal to the maturity payment amount, calculated as provided herein, plus a portion of a final contingent coupon payment, if any. The maturity payment amount and any final contingent coupon payment will be calculated as though the date of acceleration were the final calculation day. The final contingent coupon payment, if any, will be prorated from and including the immediately preceding contingent coupon payment date to but excluding the date of acceleration.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average^® is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally regarded as leaders in their respective industries.

In addition, information about the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to Dow Jones Industrial Average^® sponsor’s website (including information regarding the Dow Jones Industrial Average^®’s sector weightings). We are not incorporating by reference into this pricing supplement the website or any material it includes. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available information regarding the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® is accurate or complete.

Historical Information

We obtained the closing levels of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification.

The following graph sets forth daily closing levels of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® for the period from January 1, 2016 to March 30, 2021. The closing level on March 30, 2021 was 33,066.96. The historical performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® during the term of the securities.

Dow Jones Industrial Average^® Daily Closing Level

The Dow Jones Industrial Average^®

The Dow Jones Industrial Average^® is a price-weighted index, which means an underlying stock’s weight in the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® is based on its price per share rather than the total market capitalization of the issuer. The Dow Jones Industrial Average^® is designed to provide an indication of the composite performance of 30 common stocks of corporations representing a broad cross-section of U.S. industry. The corporations represented in the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® tend to be regarded as market leaders in their respective industries and their stocks are typically widely held by individuals and institutional investors.

The Index is maintained by an Averages Committee comprised of three representatives of S&P Dow Jones Indices and two representatives of The Wall Street Journal. Generally, composition changes occur only after mergers, corporate acquisitions or other dramatic shifts in a component's core business. When such an event necessitates that one component be replaced, the entire Dow Jones Industrial Average^® is reviewed. As a result, when changes are made they typically involve more than one component. While there are no rules for component selection, a stock typically is added only if it has an excellent reputation, demonstrates sustained growth, is of interest to a large number of investors and accurately represents the sector(s) covered by the average.

Changes in the composition of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® are made entirely by the Averages Committee without consultation with the corporations represented in the Dow Jones Industrial Average^®, any stock exchange, any official agency or us. Unlike most other indices, which are reconstituted according to a fixed review schedule, constituents of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® are reviewed on an as-needed basis. Changes to the common stocks included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® tend to be made infrequently, and the underlying stocks of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® may be changed at any time for any reason. The companies currently represented in the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® are incorporated in the United States and its territories and their stocks are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.

In addition to the daily governance of indices and maintenance of index methodologies, at least once within any 12-month period, the index methodology is reviewed to help ensure that the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® continues to achieve the stated objectives, and that the data and methodology remain effective. In certain instances, S&P Dow Jones Indices may publish a consultation inviting comments from external parties.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average^® initially consisted of 12 common stocks and was first published in the WSJ in 1896. The Dow Jones Industrial Average^® was increased to include 20 common stocks in 1916 and to 30 common stocks in 1928. The number of common stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® has remained at 30 since 1928, and, in an effort to maintain continuity, the constituent corporations represented in the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® have been changed on a relatively infrequent basis.

Computation of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^®

The level of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® is the sum of the primary exchange prices of each of the 30 component stocks included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average^®, divided by a divisor that is designed to provide a meaningful continuity in the level of the Dow Jones Industrial Average^®. Because the Dow Jones Industrial Average^® is price-weighted, stock splits or changes in the component stocks could result in distortions in the index level. In order to prevent these distortions related to extrinsic factors, the divisor is periodically changed in accordance with a mathematical formula that reflects adjusted proportions within the Dow Jones Industrial Average^®.

License Agreement

S&P^® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”) and Dow Jones^® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). These trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. “DJIA^®” is a trademark of Dow Jones. The trademark has been sublicensed for certain purposes by us. The Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by us.

The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the securities particularly or the ability of the Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to the Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors. The Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us or the securities. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of us or holders of the securities into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the securities or the timing of the issuance or sale of the securities or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the securities are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the securities. There is no assurance that investment products based on the Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its subsidiaries are not investment advisors. Inclusion of a security or futures contract within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security or futures contract, nor is it considered to be investment advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the securities currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the securities. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the Index. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the securities.

S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE Dow Jones Industrial Average^® OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, HOLDERS OF THE SECURITIES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE Dow Jones Industrial Average^® OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES. 

The Russell 2000^® Index is an equity index that is intended to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market.

In addition, information about the Russell 2000^® Index may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, the Russell 2000^® Index sponsor’s website (including information regarding the Russell 2000^® Index’s sector weightings). We are not incorporating by reference into this pricing supplement the website or any material it includes. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available information regarding the Russell 2000^® Index is accurate or complete.

Historical Information

We obtained the closing levels of the Russell 2000^® Index in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification.

The following graph sets forth daily closing levels of the Russell 2000^® Index for the period from January 1, 2016 to March 30, 2021. The closing level on March 30, 2021 was 2,195.796. The historical performance of the Russell 2000^® Index should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the Russell 2000^® Index during the term of the securities.

Russell 2000^® Index Daily Closing Level

The Russell 2000^® Index

The Russell 2000^® Index was developed by Russell Investments (“Russell”) before FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) and Russell combined in 2015 to create FTSE Russell, which is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group. Russell began dissemination of the Russell 2000^® Index (Bloomberg L.P. index symbol “RTY”) on January 1, 1984. The Russell 2000^® Index was set to 135 as of the close of business on December 31, 1986. FTSE Russell calculates and publishes the Russell 2000^® Index. The Russell 2000^® Index is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. As a subset of the Russell 3000^® Index, the Russell 2000^® Index consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000^® Index. The Russell 3000^® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies. The Russell 2000^® Index is determined, comprised, and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to the securities.

Selection of Stocks Comprising the Russell 2000^® Index

All companies eligible for inclusion in the Russell 2000^® Index must be classified as a U.S. company under FTSE Russell’s country-assignment methodology. If a company is incorporated, has a stated headquarters location, and trades on a standard exchange in the same country (American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares are not eligible), then the company is assigned to its country of incorporation. If any of the three factors are not the same, FTSE Russell defines three Home Country Indicators (“HCIs”): country of incorporation, country of headquarters, and country of the most liquid exchange (as defined by a two-year average daily dollar trading volume) (“ADDTV”) from all exchanges within a country. Using the HCIs, FTSE Russell compares the primary location of the company’s assets with the three HCIs. If the primary location of its assets matches any of the HCIs, then the company is assigned to the primary location of its assets. If there is insufficient information to determine the country in which the company’s assets are primarily located, FTSE Russell will use the primary location of the company’s revenue for the same cross-comparison and assigns the company to the appropriate country in a similar fashion. FTSE Russell uses the average of two years of assets or revenues data to reduce potential turnover. If conclusive country details cannot be derived from assets or revenues data, FTSE Russell will assign the company to the country in which its headquarters are located unless the country is a Benefit Driven Incorporation “BDI” country. If the country in which its headquarters are located is a BDI, it will be assigned to the country of its most liquid stock exchange. BDI countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Curacao, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Turks and Caicos Islands. For any companies incorporated or headquartered in a U.S. territory, including countries such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. HCI is assigned. “N shares” of companies controlled by entities or individuals based in mainland China are not eligible for inclusion in the Russell 2000^® Index.

All securities eligible for inclusion in the Russell 2000^® Index must trade on a major U.S. exchange. Stocks must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on their primary exchange on the “rank day” in May of each year (timetable is announced each spring) to be eligible for inclusion during annual reconstitution. However, in order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last day of May, it will be considered eligible if the average of the daily closing prices (from its primary exchange) during the month of May is equal to or greater than $1.00. FTSE Russell adds initial public offerings (IPOs) each quarter to ensure that new additions to the institutional investing opportunity set are reflected in representative indexes. A stock added during the quarterly IPO process is considered a new index addition, and therefore must have a closing price on its primary exchange at or above $1.00 on the last day of the eligibility period in order to qualify for index inclusion. If an existing index member does not trade on the rank day, it must price at $1.00 or above on another eligible U.S. exchange to remain eligible.

Royalty trusts, limited liability companies, closed-end investment companies (companies that are required to report Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, as defined by the SEC, including business development companies, are not eligible), blank check companies, special-purpose acquisition companies, exchange traded funds, mutual funds and limited partnerships are ineligible for inclusion. Preferred and convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants, rights, installment receipts and trust receipts are not eligible for inclusion in the Russell 2000^® Index.

Annual reconstitution is a process by which the Russell 2000^® Index is completely rebuilt. On the rank day of May, all eligible securities are ranked by their total market capitalization. The largest 4,000 become the Russell 3000E Index, and the other FTSE Russell indexes are determined from that set of securities. Reconstitution of the Russell 2000^® Index occurs on the last Friday in June or, when the last Friday in June is the 29th or 30th, reconstitution occurs on the prior Friday. In addition, FTSE Russell adds initial public offerings to the Russell 2000^® Index on a quarterly basis based on total market capitalization ranking within the market-adjusted capitalization breaks established during the most recent reconstitution.

After membership is determined, a security’s shares are adjusted to include only those shares available to the public. This is often referred to as “free float.” The purpose of the adjustment is to exclude from market calculations the capitalization that is not available for purchase and is not part of the investable opportunity set.

License Agreement

“Russell 2000^®” and “Russell 3000^®” are trademarks of FTSE Russell and have been licensed for use by us.

The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FTSE Russell. FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the securities particularly or the ability of the Russell 2000^® Index to track general stock market performance or a segment of the same. FTSE Russell's publication of the Russell 2000^® Index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by FTSE Russell as to the advisability of investment in any or all of the securities upon which the Russell 2000^® Index is based. FTSE Russell's only relationship to the Issuer is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of FTSE Russell and of the Russell 2000^® Index which is determined, composed and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to the Issuer or the securities. FTSE Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the securities nor any associated literature or publications and FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. FTSE Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the Russell 2000^® Index. FTSE Russell has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the securities.

FTSE RUSSELL DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE RTY OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND FTSE RUSSELL SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. FTSE RUSSELL MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ISSUER, INVESTORS, OWNERS OF THE SECURITIES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE RTY OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FTSE RUSSELL MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE RTY OR ANY DATA INCLUDED HEREIN WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING. IN NO EVENT SHALL FTSE RUSSELL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

The NASDAQ-100 Index^® is a modified market capitalization-weighted index of the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market.

In addition, information about the NASDAQ-100 Index^® may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, the NASDAQ-100 Index^® sponsor’s website (including information regarding the NASDAQ-100 Index^®’s sector weightings). We are not incorporating by reference into this pricing supplement the website or any material it includes. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available information regarding the Index is accurate or complete.

Historical Information

We obtained the closing levels of the NASDAQ-100 Index^® in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets, without independent verification.

The following graph sets forth daily closing levels of the NASDAQ-100 Index^® for the period from January 1, 2016 to March 30, 2021. The closing level on March 30, 2021 was 12,896.53. The historical performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index^® should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index^® during the term of the securities.

NASDAQ-100 Index^® Daily Closing Level

The NASDAQ-100 Index^® 

The NASDAQ-100 Index^® (“NDX”) is a modified market capitalization-weighted index of the 100 largest stocks of both U.S. and non-U.S. non-financial companies listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market. It does not contain securities of financial companies, including investment companies. The NDX, which includes companies across a variety of major industry groups, was launched on January 31, 1985, with a base index value of 250.00. On January 1, 1994, the base index value was reset to 125.00. The Nasdaq, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) publishes the NDX. Current information regarding the market value of the NDX is available from NASDAQ, as well as numerous market information services.

The share weights of the component securities of the NDX at any time are based upon the total shares outstanding in each of those securities and are additionally subject, in certain cases, to rebalancing. Accordingly, each underlying stock’s influence on the level of the NDX is directly proportional to the value of its share weight.

Index Calculation

At any moment in time, the level of the NDX equals the aggregate value of the then-current share weights of each of the component securities, which are based on the total shares outstanding of each such component security, multiplied by each such security’s respective last sale price on The NASDAQ Stock Market (which may be the official closing price published by The NASDAQ Stock Market), and divided by a scaling factor (the “divisor”), which becomes the basis for the reported level of the NDX. The divisor serves the purpose of scaling such aggregate value to a lower order of magnitude, which is more desirable for reporting purposes.

Underlying Stock Eligibility Criteria and Annual Ranking Review

Initial Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for initial inclusion in the NDX, a security must be listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market and meet the following criteria:

Continued Eligibility Criteria

In addition, to be eligible for continued inclusion in the NDX the following criteria apply:

These eligibility criteria may be revised from time to time by NASDAQ without regard to the securities.

Annual Ranking Review

The component securities are evaluated on an annual basis (the “Ranking Review”), except under extraordinary circumstances, which may result in an interim evaluation, as follows. Securities that meet the applicable eligibility criteria are ranked by market value. Eligible securities that are already in the NDX and that are ranked in the top 100 eligible securities (based on market capitalization) are retained in the NDX. A security that is ranked 101 to 125 is also retained, provided that such security was ranked in the top 100 eligible securities as of the previous Ranking Review or was added to the NDX subsequent to the previous Ranking Review. Securities not meeting such criteria are replaced. The replacement securities chosen are those eligible securities not currently in the NDX that have the largest market capitalization. The data used in the ranking includes end of October market data and is updated for total shares outstanding submitted in a publicly filed SEC document via EDGAR through the end of November.

Replacements are made effective after the close of trading on the third Friday in December. Moreover, if at any time during the year other than the Ranking Review, a component security is determined by NASDAQ to become ineligible for continued inclusion in the NDX, the security will be replaced with the largest market capitalization security meeting the eligibility criteria listed above and not currently included in the NDX.

Index Maintenance

In addition to the Ranking Review, the securities in the NDX are monitored every day by NASDAQ with respect to changes in total shares outstanding arising from corporate events, such as stock dividends, stock splits and certain spin-offs and rights issuances. NASDAQ has adopted the following quarterly scheduled weight adjustment procedures with respect to those changes. If the change in total shares outstanding arising from a corporate action is greater than or equal to 10%, that change will be made to the NDX as soon as practical, normally within ten days of such corporate action. Otherwise, if the change in total shares outstanding is less than 10%, then all such changes are accumulated and made effective at one time on a quarterly basis after the close of trading on the third Friday in each of March, June, September and December.

In either case, the share weights for those component securities are adjusted by the same percentage amount by which the total shares outstanding have changed in those securities. Ordinarily, whenever there is a change in the share weights, a change in a component security, or a change to the price of a component security due to spin-off, rights issuances or special cash dividends, NASDAQ adjusts the divisor to ensure that there is no discontinuity in the level of the NDX that might otherwise be caused by any of those changes. All changes will be announced in advance.

Index Rebalancing

The Index is rebalanced on a quarterly basis in March, June, September and December in accordance with NASDAQ’s rules. Rebalance changes become effective after the close of trading on the third Friday in March, June, September and December. A special rebalance may be conducted at any time based on specified weighting restrictions if it is determined to be necessary to maintain the integrity of the underlying index.

License Agreement

The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Nasdaq, Inc. or its affiliates (NASDAQ, with its affiliates, are referred to as the “Corporations”). The Corporations have not passed on the legality or suitability of, or the accuracy or adequacy of descriptions and disclosures relating to, the securities. The Corporations make no representation or warranty, express or implied to the owners of the securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the securities particularly, or the ability of the NDX to track general stock market performance. The Corporations' only relationship to the Issuer (“Licensee”) is in the licensing of the Nasdaq^®, the NASDAQ-100 Index^®, and certain trade names of the Corporations and the use of the NASDAQ-100 Index^® which is determined, composed and calculated by NASDAQ without regard to Licensee or the securities. NASDAQ has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the securities into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the NASDAQ-100 Index^®. The Corporations are not responsible for and have no participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the securities to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the securities is to be converted into cash. The Corporations have no liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the securities.

THE CORPORATIONS DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR UNINTERRUPTED CALCULATION OF NASDAQ-100 INDEX^® OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN, THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE SECURITIES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE NASDAQ-100 INDEX^® OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE CORPORATIONS MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE NASDAQ-100 INDEX^® OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE CORPORATIONS HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. 

A fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA” and, each such plan, an “ERISA Plan”) should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the ERISA Plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the securities. Among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the ERISA Plan, and whether the investment would involve a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit ERISA Plans, individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans subject to Section 4975 of the Code and entities such as collective investment funds, partnerships or separate accounts whose underlying assets are deemed to include “plan assets” of such ERISA Plans, accounts or plans (collectively, “Plans”), from engaging in certain transactions involving “plan assets” with persons who are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Code (in either case referred to herein as “parties in interest”) with respect to such Plans. As a result of our business, we and our current and future affiliates may be parties in interest with respect to many Plans. Where the Bank of Montreal or our affiliate is or becomes a party in interest with respect to a Plan, the purchase and holding of the securities by or on behalf of the Plan could be a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code and result in civil penalties or other liabilities under ERISA or an excise tax under Section 4975 of the Code unless such acquisition and holding is pursuant to and in accordance with applicable statutory, regulatory or administrative relief.

In this regard, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide an exemption for the purchase and sale of securities and related lending transactions where neither Bank of Montreal nor any of its affiliates have or exercise any discretionary authority or control or render any investment advice with respect to the assets of the Plan involved in the transaction and the Plan pays no more and receives no less than “adequate consideration” in connection with the transaction (the “Service Provider Exemption”). Moreover, the United States Department of Labor has issued five prohibited transaction class exemptions, or “PTCEs”, that may provide exemptive relief if required for direct or indirect prohibited transactions that may arise from the purchase or holding of the securities. Those exemptions are:

Accordingly, the securities may not be purchased or held by any Plan or any person investing “plan assets” of any plan, unless in each case the purchaser or holder is eligible for exemptive relief under one or more of the PTCEs listed above or under the Service Provider Exemption or there is some other basis on which the purchase and holding of the securities will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. Each purchaser or holder of the securities or any interest therein will therefore be deemed to have represented by such purchase and holding that it either (1) is not a Plan and is not purchasing the securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan or (2) its purchase and holding of the securities will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

Certain employee benefit plans and arrangements including those that are governmental plans (as defined in section 3(32) of ERISA), church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) and non-U.S. plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) (collectively, “Non-ERISA Arrangements”) are not subject to the prohibited transaction rules of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, but may be subject to similar rules under applicable laws or regulations (“Similar Laws”). As such, any purchaser or holder of the securities or any interest in the securities which is, or is investing the assets of, a non-ERISA arrangement will be deemed to have represented by its purchase and holding of the securities that such purchase and holding will not violate the provisions of any Similar Laws.

Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan or non-ERISA arrangement consult with their counsel regarding the availability of exemptive relief under any of the PTCEs listed above, the Service Provider Exemption or any other applicable exemption, or the potential consequences of any purchase or holding under Similar Laws, as applicable. If you are an insurance company or the fiduciary of a pension plan or an employee benefit plan, and propose to invest in the securities, you should consult your legal counsel.

None of us, the agent or our respective affiliates is undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the acquisition or holding of securities by any Plan or Non-ERISA Arrangement. Each purchaser and holder of the securities has exclusive responsibility for ensuring that its purchase, holding and subsequent disposition of the securities do not violate the fiduciary or prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Laws. The sale of securities to any Plan or Non-ERISA Arrangement is in no respect a representation by Bank of Montreal, the agent or any of our respective affiliates that such an investment is appropriate for, or meets all applicable legal requirements with respect to investments by, Plans or Non-ERISA Arrangements.