BMO Buyout Marshall & Ilsley Investigated by Tripp Levy PLLC on behalf of Marshall & Ilsley Shareholders

Tripp Levy PLLC, a leading national securities firm, announces an investigation into the proposed acquisition of Marshall & Ilsley Corp. (NYSE: MI). It was announced that MI entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Bank of Montreal (TSX: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) will acquire all the outstanding shares of MI in a stock-for-stock transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, each share of MI will be exchanged for 0.1257 shares of BMO upon closing. Based on the closing share price of BMO on the TSX as of Dec. 16, 2010, each share of MI is valued at $7.75 per share.

However, in connection with the merger agreement, MI issued to BMO an option to purchase up to 19.7% of MI common shares, thus providing BMO with a significant interest in MI in order to vote in favor of the proposed buyout.

The investigation concerns, among other things, whether the consideration to be paid to MI shareholders is grossly unfair, inadequate, and substantially below the fair or inherent value of MI. Indeed, analysts have projected that MI’s true inherent value is at least $9.50 per share. The investigation further concerns whether the board of directors of MI may have breached their fiduciary duties by not acting in MI shareholders' best interests in connection with the sale process of MI.

If you own MI common stock and you wish to discuss this matter with us, or have any questions concerning your rights and interests with regard to this matter, please contact

Tripp LevyTripp Levy PLLC125 East 82nd Street9th FloorNew York, New YorkToll Free: 877-772-3975Email: [e-mail]

Tripp Levy PLLC is a national law firm that specializes in mergers & acquisitions, takeover litigation, shareholder rights, and corporate governance matters in state and federal courts throughout the United States.

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