Full-Time
Vice President
Equity Program Trader
Posted on 10/4/2025
Bank of Montreal
10,001+ employees
Personal, business banking and capital markets
Compensation Overview
CA$150k/yr
Toronto, ON, Canada
Hybrid
This is a hybrid role, which typically involves a mix of remote work and in-office days.
 Quantitative Finance (1) |
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 Finance & Banking (1) |
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- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a related field.
- 3–7 years of experience in equity trading, index research, or equity trading analytics preferred
- Strong understanding of global equity markets, index construction, and ETF mechanics
- Proficiency in Excel, Bloomberg, and trading platforms; Python or SQL skills are a strong asset.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
- Act as a key point of contact for institutional clients on program trading and index-related flows.
- Collaborate with equity sales to pitch trade ideas, transition strategies, and liquidity solutions.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with asset managers, pension funds, and hedge funds.
- Execute equity program trades with precision and minimal market impact.
- Monitor and manage execution algorithms, TCA, and real-time market conditions.
- Collaborate with sales and portfolio managers to optimize execution strategies for index rebalances, transitions, and custom baskets.
- Track and analyze index methodology changes and their impact on securities and portfolios.
- Model index rebalances and corporate actions to anticipate flows and trading opportunities.
- Python or SQL skills are a strong asset.
Bank of Montreal (BMO) is a diversified financial services provider offering personal, business, and commercial banking, along with capital markets and wealth management, across Canada and the United States. Individuals use personal banking for everyday needs and loans, households can obtain mortgages and credit products, and businesses access commercial loans, treasury/cash management, and industry-specific advice. In capital markets, BMO assists clients with raising capital, trading, and research, while wealth management delivers investment strategies and asset management for portfolios. The company aims to help clients manage and grow their money through a full range of financial services for individuals, small businesses, large corporations, and public sector entities in North America.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Toronto, Canada
Founded
1988
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- OLBB digital platform national U.S. rollout April 27, 2026, wins Red Dot Award for SME banking UX.
- Return on Intelligence podcast April 24, 2026, positions BMO as AI governance thought leader.
- Indigenous Bond wins Environmental Finance Social Bond award April 14, 2026, boosting sustainable finance reputation.
What critics are saying
- RBC and BMO sell Moneris to Francisco Partners by summer 2026, ceding payments to Stripe and Adyen.
- OSFI mandates loan loss provisions on BMO's commercial real estate amid 20% U.S. office vacancies in 2026.
- Iran conflict surges farm input costs, triggering agriculture loan defaults from Nutrien clients within 6-12 months.
What makes Bank of Montreal unique
- BMO hosts 21st annual Farm to Market Conference May 13-14, 2026, convening Nutrien and Corteva leaders.
- BMO issues first North American Indigenous Bond October 2025, funding Indigenous businesses via Cedar Leaf Capital.
- BMO launches AI and Quantum Institute, partnering with Quantum Industry Canada and Chicago Quantum Exchange.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
Accident and Life Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Professional Development Budget
Hybrid Work Options
Company News
BMO announces partnership with Quantum Industry Canada and Chicago Quantum Exchange. Rhea-AI Impact Rhea-AI Sentiment (Very Positive) partnership Rhea-AI summary. BMO (NYSE: BMO) announced partnerships with Quantum Industry Canada and the Chicago Quantum Exchange on April 13, 2026. These collaborations link BMO's new Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum to North American research and industry networks to support technology commercialization, workforce development, governance and knowledge sharing. Key figures. Share price: $144.31 Daily change: 1.08% 52-week range high: $149.01 +5 more Market reality check. Price: $144.31 Vol: Volume 494,532 is below t... Peers on argus. BMO was up 1.08% pre-news, while key peers were mixed: BNS up 0.82%, ING down 0... Previous partnership reports. 1 past event · Latest: Jan 10 (Positive) Same Type Pattern 1 events Historical comparison. -1.0% avg move · Past partnership news in 2025 averaged a -1.02% move. The new quantum-focused partnerships continue... partnership Market pulse summary. This announcement deepens BMO's quantum and AI engagement through partnerships with Quantum Industry... Key terms. quantum technologies, quantum computing, quantum networks, artificial intelligence AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice. 04/13/2026 - 07:00 AM * Partnerships focus on technology commercialization, research collaboration, workforce development and knowledge-sharing across North America * Aligns with recently announced BMO Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum, and the bank's focus on responsible technology adoption TORONTO, CHICAGO and SAN FRANCISCO, April 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - BMO today announced new partnerships with Quantum Industry Canada (QIC) and the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), strengthening the bank's engagement with leading quantum research, industry and policy organizations. The partnerships build on BMO's April 9 announcement of the BMO Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum, a new Centre of Excellence focused on the responsible application and governance of AI and the advancement of quantum capabilities. Together, these initiatives reflect BMO's commitment to innovating, developing and integrating technologies that will shape the future of financial services and the broader economy. Through its collaborations with QIC and CQE, BMO is participating in early-stage, structured ecosystem partnerships focused on knowledge-sharing, workforce development and dialogue across academia, industry and policy communities. These engagements support BMO's long-standing approach to personalizing client experiences, augmenting team expertise and process automation, while contributing to the emergence of applications of quantum technologies that will impact the delivery of financial services. "Quantum technologies present significant long-term potential, along with important questions around security, governance and real-world application," said Dr. Kristin Milchanowski, Chief AI & Quantum Officer, BMO. "These partnerships enable us to engage constructively with leading organizations across Canada and the U.S. as the field continues to develop, while taking a responsible, informed approach grounded in collaboration, learning and readiness." BMO's participation in Quantum Industry Canada connects the bank to Canada's premier business-led quantum consortium, bringing together leading companies and strategic partners across the full quantum stack. Through QIC, BMO engages directly with Canada's quantum ecosystem, contributing perspectives informed by its expert technology bankers, enterprise-scale financial services experience and long-term readiness considerations. "Canada has played an outsized role in building the quantum era. The focus now is on translating that leadership into real capability, markets, and advantage," said Quantum Industry Canada's CEO Lisa Lambert. "BMO's participation reflects the shift from exploration to execution, and the role leading financial institutions play in scaling Canada's quantum economy." Through its partnership with the Chicago Quantum Exchange, BMO will engage with a Midwest-based intellectual hub that advances the science and engineering of quantum information, prepares the quantum workforce, and drives the quantum economy in collaboration with leading universities, national labs, and industry partners. With BMO's U.S. headquarters located in Chicago, the relationship provides a local foundation for ongoing dialogue, convenings and workforce-focused engagement, including exposure to emerging research and student talent relevant to financial services. "The CQE is building and scaling a full-spectrum quantum ecosystem by working closely with partners in key industries, like finance, to drive progress across the discovery-to-deployment pipeline," said David Awschalom, the University of Chicago's Liew Family Professor of Quantum Engineering and Physics and the founding director of the CQE. "Quantum technologies offer significant potential for financial institutions, from quantum networks that may enhance the protection of personal information to quantum computing approaches that could help identify fraud more effectively over time. Engaging in early, cross-sector dialogue with partners like BMO that share our commitment to responsible and efficient quantum sector growth is an important part of building a strong quantum economy." Together, these partnerships reflect BMO's long-term approach to emerging technologies as a financial advisor and capital provider, and as an innovator - engaging early with leading research and industry organizations, investing in knowledge and talent, and building the governance and institutional understanding required to evaluate potential applications responsibly as the quantum ecosystem matures. Recently, BMO became the first Canadian bank to join the IBM Quantum Network, extending its technology leadership in North America. BMO has also been recognized by Evident AI as one of the world's top 10 banks for AI innovation, received the Commercial Banking Impact Award for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics from Datos Insights, and was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies. About BMO Financial Group BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of January 31, 2026. Serving clients for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to approximately 13 million clients across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and stronger communities. SOURCE BMO Financial Group Faq. What did BMO (BMO) announce on April 13, 2026 about quantum partnerships? BMO announced partnerships with Quantum Industry Canada and the Chicago Quantum Exchange on April 13, 2026. According to the company, collaborations target commercialization, research collaboration, workforce development and responsible governance for AI and quantum technologies across Canada and the U.S. How do the Quantum Industry Canada and CQE partnerships affect BMO's technology strategy (BMO)? They strengthen BMO's engagement with quantum research and industry networks to inform strategy and readiness. According to the company, the partnerships provide access to emerging research, talent pipelines, and cross-sector dialogue to evaluate responsible applications for financial services. What specific activities will BMO pursue with Quantum Industry Canada and the Chicago Quantum Exchange? BMO will engage in knowledge-sharing, workforce development, and early-stage ecosystem partnerships with both groups. According to the company, activities include convenings, research collaboration, talent exposure and dialogue on security, governance and real-world application of quantum tech. Does BMO joining these partnerships change its existing AI and quantum initiatives (BMO)? The partnerships build on BMO's Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum and extend its ecosystem engagement. According to the company, the relationships are intended to accelerate learning, governance development and potential commercialization pathways responsibly across North America. Why is BMO partnering with CQE given its U.S. presence in Chicago (BMO)? Partnering with CQE ties BMO's U.S. headquarters in Chicago to a regional quantum hub for discovery and workforce development. According to the company, the connection supports local convenings, exposure to university research, and talent relevant to financial services innovation.
BMO forms AI and Quantum Institute, appoints Chief AI and Quantum Officer. April 9, 2026 Press play to listen to this content TORONTO, CHICAGO and SAN FRANCISCO, April 9, 2026 - BMO (Bank of Montreal) today announced the establishment of the BMO Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum, a new enterprise-wide Centre of Excellence focused on the responsible innovation, application and governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the development of Quantum capabilities. BMO's Institute brings together expertise from across science, policy, ethics and commercialization to build on BMO's decades-long use of AI while advancing its Quantum ambitions to enhance client experiences, increase productivity and efficiency, and support long-term growth, while maintaining strong governance and trust. "BMO is committed to building AI and Quantum capabilities that are innovative, trusted and centerd on our clients," said Steve Tennyson, Chief Technology & Operations Officer, BMO. "AI is accelerating how we build, modernize, and innovate across the bank and the Institute will strengthen our ability to turn leading edge technologies into meaningful value for BMO clients, while maintaining the discipline required to manage risk, operate at scale and support responsible adoption across global banking." Effective April 6, Dr. Kristin Milchanowski has been appointed BMO's Chief AI & Quantum Officer and will be the Founding Director of the BMO Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum. In this expanded role, she will continue to advance BMO's AI and Quantum capabilities, serve as a thought leader, and ensure strong, responsible governance across the enterprise. "BMO has been applying AI across the bank for decades to personalize client experiences, augment our teams and automate our business. These capabilities continue to evolve rapidly, alongside the emergence of Quantum technologies, creating both extraordinary opportunity and significant responsibility," said Dr. Kristin Milchanowski, Chief AI & Quantum Officer, BMO. "The BMO Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum will help further embed a mature, enterprise-wide AI agenda, while advancing our Quantum strategy across the Bank and beyond, while keeping us accountable and agile in this era of exponential change." With establishing the Institute, BMO is building on its significant investments in AI and other advanced technologies. Most recently, BMO became the first Canadian bank to join the IBM Quantum Network, extending its technology leadership in North America. BMO has also been recognized by Evident AI as one of the world's top 10 banks for AI innovation, received the Commercial Banking Impact Award for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics from Datos Insights, and was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies. About BMO Financial Group BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of January 31, 2026. Serving clients for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to approximately 13 million clients across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and stronger communities. ST. GALLEN, Switzerland and INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev., April 9, 2026 - Terra Quantum AG,... SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 9, 2026 - SiFive today announced it has raised $400 million... SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 9, 2026 - Intel Corporation and Google today announced a multiyear collaboration to... COLLEGE PARK, Md., April 9, 2026 - IQM Quantum Computers, a global leader in superconducting quantum... SINGAPORE and COLLEGE PARK, Md., April 9, 2026 - Horizon Quantum Holdings Ltd. and IonQ today announced... April 9, 2026 - The Practice and Experience in Advanced Research Computing (PEARC) Conference is...
BMO establishes Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum. * The BMO Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum builds on BMO's decades-long use of AI while advancing its Quantum ambitions to enhance client experiences, increase productivity and efficiency. * Dr. Kristin Milchanowski appointed to expanded role of Chief AI & Quantum Officer and Founding Director of the Institute. TORONTO, CHICAGO and SAN FRANCISCO, April 9, 2026 /CNW/ - BMO today announced the establishment of the BMO Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum, a new enterprise-wide Centre of Excellence focused on the responsible innovation, application and governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the development of Quantum capabilities. BMO's Institute brings together expertise from across science, policy, ethics and commercialization to build on BMO's decades-long use of AI while advancing its Quantum ambitions to enhance client experiences, increase productivity and efficiency, and support long-term growth, while maintaining strong governance and trust. "BMO is committed to building AI and Quantum capabilities that are innovative, trusted and centred on our clients," said Steve Tennyson, Chief Technology & Operations Officer, BMO. "AI is accelerating how we build, modernize, and innovate across the bank and the Institute will strengthen our ability to turn leading edge technologies into meaningful value for BMO clients, while maintaining the discipline required to manage risk, operate at scale and support responsible adoption across global banking." Effective April 6, Dr. Kristin Milchanowski has been appointed BMO's Chief AI & Quantum Officer and will be the Founding Director of the BMO Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum. In this expanded role, she will continue to advance BMO's AI and Quantum capabilities, serve as a thought leader, and ensure strong, responsible governance across the enterprise. "BMO has been applying AI across the bank for decades to personalize client experiences, augment our teams and automate our business. These capabilities continue to evolve rapidly, alongside the emergence of Quantum technologies, creating both extraordinary opportunity and significant responsibility," said Dr. Kristin Milchanowski, Chief AI & Quantum Officer, BMO. "The BMO Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence & Quantum will help further embed a mature, enterprise-wide AI agenda, while advancing our Quantum strategy across the Bank and beyond, while keeping us accountable and agile in this era of exponential change." With establishing the Institute, BMO is building on its significant investments in AI and other advanced technologies. Most recently, BMO became the first Canadian bank to join the IBM Quantum Network, extending its technology leadership in North America. BMO has also been recognized by Evident AI as one of the world's top 10 banks for AI innovation, received the Commercial Banking Impact Award for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics from Datos Insights, and was named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies. About BMO Financial Group BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of January 31, 2026. Serving clients for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to approximately 13 million clients across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and stronger communities. SOURCE BMO Financial Group For further information: Media contact: Jeff Roman, [email protected]; Scott Doll, [email protected], (416) 867-3996
Bank of Montreal has appointed former CIBC executive Joe Kostandoff to co-lead its equity capital markets division. The senior hire brings over two decades of experience from a major competitor into BMO's capital markets franchise. The leadership change may signal a shift in how BMO approaches equity issuance and advisory work for corporate clients. Executive moves at this level often influence hiring plans, client coverage and risk appetite across trading desks. The appointment comes as BMO remains active across equity and debt funding, having recently issued multi-year senior unsecured and covered bonds in US dollar and eurodollar markets. The hire aligns with BMO's focus on higher-margin, fee-based businesses, as equity capital markets activity contributes to non-interest income and client engagement.
BMO eyes top-5 commercial bank status with California push. The lender is betting on its U.S. commercial bank's unified model, increased banker headcount and product enhancements to fuel growth, an executive said. Published March 31, 2026 Tony Sciarrino, head of BMO's U.S. commercial bank, said he's on a mission to "make a top-10 bank [into] a top-5 bank." Growth in California - where the lender is hiring bankers, building branches and boosting advertising - is a key component of that effort, the Canadian bank conveyed during its investor day in Toronto last week. Sciarrino, who's based in California, joined BMO a year ago to lead its commercial bank in the U.S. He spent 27 years at Bank of America in senior commercial banking roles before joining JPMorgan Chase, where he led the largest U.S. lender's western U.S. commercial banking business. At Bank of America, Sciarrino worked with Aron Levine, who jumped to BMO in mid-2025 to become the bank's U.S. president. Sciarrino has overseen BMO's shift to a unified commercial bank model, pairing local delivery with product and advisory expertise, which he contends is different from other banks. BMO "eliminate[s] a lot of the internal silos that I've seen in other places," Sciarrino said during a recent interview. He pointed to the lender's integrated middle-market investment bank, which has about 80 employees reporting to him. BMO's U.S. commercial bank serves about 22,000 clients generating between $10 million and $2 billion in revenue annually. The segment is responsible for about 55% of BMO's U.S. revenue, and comprises 47% of deposits and 70% of loans, according to investor day materials. BMO, whose U.S. operations are based in Chicago, aims to drive commercial revenue by deepening relationships with existing clients, lining up new ones and pushing its treasury, payments and capital markets services, Levine said during the March 26 investor day. The bank's U.S. commercial segment has about 800 bankers, with about 50 hired in recent months, Levine said. As for further hiring, BMO aims to boost its banker headcount to 960 by fiscal 2028, and "80% of future hires will be in California, where we aim to become a leading player in commercial banking, just like we are in the Midwestern markets," Levine said during investor day. Sciarrino noted the bank is hiring a U.S. middle-market leader who will report to him and Carrie Cook, global head of investment and corporate banking. The bank plans to continue to invest in talent as it realizes efficiencies through artificial intelligence tools, he said. The bank is also bolstering its California branch count, from 220 to 360, Levine said. BMO's U.S. presence grew dramatically with its 2023 purchase of Bank of the West, the U.S. retail arm of French lender BNP Paribas. That deal gave BMO its foothold in the San Francisco and Los Angeles markets. BMO's branch and hiring plans in California "replicate the Midwest playbook following the Bank of the West acquisition," Jefferies analyst John Aiken wrote in a recent note. Sciarrino noted the brand recognition that comes from the branch builds. A billboard in California shown during investor day asserted, "New to California. Not new to banking." In two years, brand awareness in the state nearly tripled, and brand consideration among California's general population went from 11% to 27%, according to investor day materials. When an analyst asked how the bank can differentiate in California since that's been a difficult endeavor for the superregionals, Levine pointed to BMO's industry expertise, treasury platform, capital markets business and the addition of Sciarrino and other talent. "We can compete with anyone, at any time, across commercial," he said. In the fiscal first quarter of 2026, revenue at BMO's the U.S. commercial bank dropped about 2% year over year, to $1.1 billion. By investing in talent and technology and promoting its full roster of products and services to its commercial clients, BMO expects to see a mid-single-digit increase in profitable loans and deposits in the medium term, Levine said. Loan growth is projected for the second half of the year. Those elements are expected to fuel a 10% non-interest revenue growth rate and 12% return on equity that BMO's U.S. banking segment is targeting in the medium term.