Strategy

Gearing up for Canadian bank earnings?

Aug. 18, 2025

Ahead of the Canadian bank third-quarter earnings results, investors may want to consider buying BMO’s Bank ETFs. BMO has the largest and most liquid bank ETFs in Canada with a combined AUM (Assets Under Management) of $7.6 billion.1 Both ETFs take an equal-weight approach to minimize any concentration risk to a particular bank. When dispersions happen in performance with certain individual banks, the semi-annual rebalancing brings the holdings back to an approximate equal weight and, in turn, allows you to take profits and add to other quality banks within the ETF. The equal weight strategy utilized for ZEB and ZWB can act as a natural buy-low, sell-high strategy.

Featured ETFs

Benefits

  • ZEB provides equal-weight exposure to large, diversified Canadian bank stocks
  • ZWB call option writing reduces volatility while producing monthly cash distributions

Historically, Canadian banks are known for steady, attractive dividends and how they continue to increase over time, which bodes well for income-seeking investors. Equal weight bank ETFs capture income from all holdings, creating competitive cash flow for investors. ZEB and ZWB boast annualized distribution yields of 3.7% and 6.2%, respectively.2 Furthermore, it is important to note that, instead of receiving quarterly dividends (as one would with holding banks individually), when investing in ZEB and ZWB, investors are able to benefit from the consistent monthly distributions they provide.

monthly distributions

Overall, Canadian banks have been proven resilient over time, with a long track record of stability through market cycles. Canadian banks operate in a well-regulated, oligopolistic market, historically weathering downturns better than many global peers (including the Great Financial Crisis).3 Over 10 years, the performance of BMO’s bank ETFs has been impressive, with ZEB and ZWB returning 12.1% and 9.1%, respectively.1 That’s an approximate cumulative return of 213% with ZEB and 139% with ZWB!1

Implementation

For exposure to an approximate equal weighted basket of Canadian Banks consider buying BMO Equal Weight Banks Index ETF (ticker: ZEB), and for those looking for an enhanced yield component, consider the BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF (ticker: ZWB).

Fund name

Ticker

Year-to-date

1-year

3-year

5-year

10-year

Since Inception

Inception Date

BMO Equal Weight Banks Index ETF 

ZEB

13.18%

31.22%

14.91%

19.04%

12.09%

11.54%

2009-10-20

BMO Covered Call Canadian Banks ETF

ZWB

9.70%

23.32%

10.83%

14.24%

9.14%

8.92%

2011-01-28

Bloomberg, as of July 312025.

1 AUM Flows, Performance source Bloomberg July 312025.

2Annualized Distribution Yield as of July 31, 2025: The most recent regular distribution, or expected distribution, (excluding additional year-end distributions) annualized for frequency, divided by current NAV. Source: BMO Global Asset Management.

3 Bloomberg July 312025.

Disclaimer

This article is for information purposes. The information contained herein is not, and should not be construed as, investment, tax or legal advice to any party. Particular investments and/​or trading strategies should be evaluated relative to the individual’s investment objectives and professional advice should be obtained with respect to any circumstance. 

The viewpoints expressed by the author represent their assessment of the markets at the time of publication. Those views are subject to change without notice at any time. The information provided herein does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy, or an offer to sell securities nor should the information be relied upon as investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This communication is intended for informational purposes only.

Any statement that necessarily depends on future events may be a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although such statements are based on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. In connection with any forward-looking statements, investors should carefully consider the areas of risk described in the most recent prospectus. Distribution yields are calculated by using the most recent regular distribution, or expected distribution, (which may be based on income, dividends, return of capital, and option premiums, as applicable) and excluding additional year end distributions, and special reinvested distributions annualized for frequency, divided by current net asset value (NAV). The yield calculation does not include reinvested distributions. Distributions are not guaranteed, may fluctuate and are subject to change and/​or elimination. Distribution rates may change without notice (up or down) depending on market conditions and NAV fluctuations. The payment of distributions should not be confused with the BMO ETF’s performance, rate of return or yield. If distributions paid by a BMO ETF are greater than the performance of the investment fund, your original investment will shrink. Distributions paid as a result of capital gains realized by a BMO ETF, and income and dividends earned by a BMO ETF, are taxable in your hands in the year they are paid. Your adjusted cost base will be reduced by the amount of any returns of capital. If your adjusted cost base goes below zero, you will have to pay capital gains tax on the amount below zero.

Cash distributions, if any, on units of a BMO ETF (other than accumulating units or units subject to a distribution reinvestment plan) are expected to be paid primarily out of dividends or distributions, and other income or gains, received by the BMO ETF less the expenses of the BMO ETF, but may also consist of non-taxable amounts including returns of capital, which may be paid in the manager’s sole discretion. To the extent that the expenses of a BMO ETF exceed the income generated by such BMO ETF in any given month, quarter, or year, as the case may be, it is not expected that a monthly, quarterly, or annual distribution will be paid. Distributions, if any, in respect of the accumulating units of BMO Short Corporate Bond Index ETF, BMO Short Federal Bond Index ETF, BMO Short Provincial Bond Index ETF, BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF and BMO Ultra Short-Term US Bond ETF will be automatically reinvested in additional accumulating units of the applicable BMO ETF. Following each distribution, the number of accumulating units of the applicable BMO ETF will be immediately consolidated so that the number of outstanding accumulating units of the applicable BMO ETF will be the same as the number of outstanding accumulating units before the distribution. Non-resident unitholders may have the number of securities reduced due to withholding tax. Certain BMO ETFs have adopted a distribution reinvestment plan, which provides that a unitholder may elect to automatically reinvest all cash distributions paid on units held by that unitholder in additional units of the applicable BMO ETF in accordance with the terms of the distribution reinvestment plan. For further information, see the distribution policy in the BMO ETFs’ prospectus. An investor that purchases Units of a Structured Outcome ETF other than at starting NAV on the first day of a Target Outcome Period and/​or sells Units of a Structured Outcome ETF prior to the end of a Target Outcome Period may experience results that are very different from the target outcomes sought by the Structured Outcome ETF for that Target Outcome Period. Both the cap and, where applicable, the buffer are fixed levels that are calculated in relation to the market price of the applicable Reference ETF and a Structured Outcome ETF’s NAV (as Structured herein) at the start of each Target Outcome Period. As the market price of the applicable Reference ETF and the Structured Outcome ETF’s NAV will change over the Target Outcome Period, an investor acquiring Units of a Structured Outcome ETF after the start of a Target Outcome Period will likely have a different return potential than an investor who purchased Units of a Structured Outcome ETF at the start of the Target Outcome Period. This is because while the cap and, as applicable, the buffer for the Target Outcome Period are fixed levels that remain constant throughout the Target Outcome Period, an investor purchasing Units of a Structured Outcome ETF at market value during the Target Outcome Period likely purchase Units of a Structured Outcome ETF at a market price that is different from the Structured Outcome ETF’s NAV at the start of the Target Outcome Period (i.e., the NAV that the cap and, as applicable, the buffer reference). In addition, the market price of the applicable Reference ETF is likely to be different from the price of that Reference ETF at the start of the Target Outcome Period. To achieve the intended target outcomes sought by a Structured Outcome ETF for a Target Outcome Period, an investor must hold Units of the Structured Outcome ETF for that entire Target Outcome Period.

Commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in exchange-traded funds. Please read the ETF Facts or prospectus of the BMO ETFs before investing. Exchange-traded funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. 

For a summary of the risks of an investment in the BMO ETFs, please see the specific risks set out in the BMO ETF’s prospectus. BMO ETFs trade like stocks, fluctuate in market value and may trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase the risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/​or elimination. 

BMO ETFs are managed and administered by BMO Asset Management Inc., an investment fund manager and a portfolio manager, and a separate legal entity from Bank of Montreal.

BMO (M-bar roundel symbol)” is a registered trademark of Bank of Montreal, used under license.