BMO Names Tim Cox as New U.S. Country Head

The Bank of Montreal (BMO) has officially announced a significant leadership transition within its American division. Effective November 1, 2026, Tim Cox will step into the role of U.S. Country Head for BMO Financial Group, while also assuming the position of CEO for the bank's U.S. subsidiaries, BMO Financial Corp. and BMO Bank N.A. [1, 5, 8]

Cox, who first joined the organization in 2010, brings extensive experience to his new post. Throughout his tenure, he has held various high-level positions within the firm’s legal and regulatory compliance departments, including serving as the global chief regulatory officer. Most recently, he has functioned as the U.S. General Counsel since 2022. [6, 7, 10]

In his new capacity, Cox will report directly to Darryl White, the CEO of BMO Financial Group. Furthermore, he is set to join the bank's Executive Committee and will preside over the U.S. Management Committee, positioning him at the center of the bank's strategic decision-making in the region. [8, 10]

This appointment follows the decision of Darrel Hackett to step down from his current role as U.S. CEO. After a distinguished career spanning more than 22 years with the institution, Hackett will move into a new capacity as Executive Vice-Chair and Senior Advisor, also effective November 1. [2, 3, 6]

BMO leadership praised Hackett for his instrumental contributions to the bank's North American growth strategy and his role in developing the current U.S. business footprint. The transition occurs as the bank continues to navigate the evolving regulatory and competitive landscape for major lenders operating within the United States. [1, 4, 9]