The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. 

Registration Statement No. 333-217200

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

 

Subject to Completion, dated July 26, 2018

 

Pricing Supplement to the Prospectus Supplement dated April 27, 2017

and the Prospectus dated April 27, 2017 

 

 

US$    l    

Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series D

Redeemable Step-Up Coupon Notes, Due August 28, 2024

Issuer:	Bank of Montreal
Title of Notes:	Redeemable Step-Up Coupon Notes, due August 28, 2024 (the “Notes”)
Trade Date:	August 24, 2018
Settlement Date (Original Issue Date):	August 28, 2018
Stated Maturity:	August 28, 2024, resulting in a term to maturity of 6 years, subject to our early redemption right, as described under “Specific Terms of the Notes — Optional Redemption Feature” below.
Principal Amount (in Specified Currency):	US$    ●    ; Minimum Denomination: US$1,000 and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess of $1,000
Original Public Offering Price (Issue Price):	100%
Interest Rate Per Annum:	The Notes will bear interest at a rate equal to:  ·   3.25% per annum for the period from and including August 28, 2018 to but excluding August 28, 2021. ·   3.50% per annum for the period from and including August 28, 2021 to but excluding August 28, 2022. ·   4.00% per annum for the period from and including August 28, 2022 to but excluding August 28, 2024. Interest on the Notes will accrue on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
Interest Payment Period:	Semi-annually
Interest Payment Date(s):	Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 28 and August 28 of each year, commencing February 28, 2019. See “Specific Terms of the Notes — Interest” below.
Payment at Maturity:	Subject to our credit risk, you will receive at maturity the principal amount and the final interest payment.
Clearance and Settlement:	DTC global (including through its indirect participants Euroclear and Clearstream, as described under “Description of Debt Securities We May Offer – Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance” in the accompanying prospectus).
CUSIP No.:	06367WAJ2
Optional Redemption Provision:	We may, at our option, elect to redeem the Notes in whole or in part semi-annually on each interest payment date, commencing on the interest payment date that falls on February 28, 2020 (each such date, a “Redemption Date”), at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the date on which the Notes are redeemed. In the event we elect to redeem the Notes, notice will be given to registered holders not more than 30 business days nor less than five business days prior to the Redemption Date. See “Specific Terms of the Notes — Optional Redemption Feature” below.

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS

 

 

SPECIFIC TERMS OF THE NOTES

 

 

The Notes are part of a series of our senior debt securities called Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series D, and therefore, this pricing supplement (the “pricing supplement”), should be read together with the accompanying prospectus supplement, dated April 27, 2017 and the accompanying prospectus, dated April 27, 2017. Terms used but not defined in this pricing supplement have the meanings given them in the accompanying prospectus or accompanying prospectus supplement, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

In this section, references to “holders” mean those who own the Notes registered in their own names, on the books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in the Notes registered in street name or in the Notes issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company or another depositary. Owners of beneficial interests in the Notes should read the section entitled “Description of the Notes We May Offer — Legal Ownership” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and “Description of Debt Securities We May Offer — Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

The Notes are part of a series of senior debt securities entitled “Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series D” (the “medium-term notes”) that we may issue from time to time under the senior indenture, dated January 25, 2010, between Bank of Montreal and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. This pricing supplement summarizes specific financial and other terms that apply to the Notes. Terms that apply generally to our medium-term notes are described in “Description of the Notes We May Offer” in the accompanying prospectus supplement. The terms described herein supplement those described in the accompanying prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, and, if the terms described here are inconsistent with those described in those documents, the terms described herein are controlling.

 

Please note that the information about the price to the public and the net proceeds to Bank of Montreal on the front cover of this pricing supplement relates only to the initial sale of the Notes. If you have purchased the Notes in a market-making transaction after the initial sale, information about the price and date of sale to you will be provided in a separate confirmation of sale.

 

We describe particular terms of the Notes in more detail below.

 

Interest

 

The Notes will bear interest at the rates set forth on the cover page.

 

Interest will be paid on the Interest Payment Dates set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement. Interest payments will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year, consisting of twelve 30-day months. Interest will be payable to holders of record on the 3rd business day before each Interest Payment Date. Interest will accrue from and including each Interest Payment Date to but excluding the next Interest Payment Date. In the event that an Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or the Stated Maturity falls on a day other than a business day, principal and/or interest will be paid on the next succeeding business day and no interest on such payment shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to such next succeeding business day.

 

  

Optional Redemption Feature

 

We may, at our option, elect to redeem the Notes in whole or in part semi-annually on each interest payment date, commencing on the interest payment date that falls on February 28, 2020 (each such date, a “Redemption Date”), at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the date on which the Notes are redeemed. In the event we elect to redeem the Notes, notice will be given to registered holders not more than 30 nor less than five business days prior to the Redemption Date.

 

Certain Investment Considerations

 

 

Optional Redemption. Prospective purchasers should be aware that we have the right to redeem the Notes on any Redemption Date, beginning on the first Redemption Date. It is more likely that we will redeem the Notes prior to their stated maturity date to the extent that the interest payable on the Notes is greater than the interest that would be payable on other instruments of the issuer of a comparable maturity, terms and credit rating trading in the market. If the Notes are redeemed prior to their stated maturity date, you may have to re-invest the proceeds in a lower interest rate environment. See “– Optional Redemption Feature.”

 

Credit Risk. Our credit ratings and credit spreads may adversely affect the market value of the Notes. Investors are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the Notes on each interest payment date and at maturity, and therefore investors are subject to our credit risk and to changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness. Any decline in our credit ratings or increase in the credit spreads charged by the market for taking our credit risk is likely to adversely affect the value of the Notes.

 

Fees and Hedging Costs. While the payment at maturity described in this pricing supplement is based on the full principal amount of your Notes, the original offering price of the Notes includes the commission received by BMOCM and other dealers and the cost of hedging our obligations under the Notes. As a result, the price, if any, at which BMOCM may be willing to purchase Notes from you in secondary market transactions will likely be lower than the price you paid for your Notes, and any sale prior to the maturity date could result in a substantial loss to you.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following is a general description of material tax considerations relating to the Notes. It does not purport to be a complete analysis of all tax considerations relating to the Notes. Prospective purchasers of the Notes should consult their tax advisers as to the consequences under the tax laws of the country of which they are resident for tax purposes and the tax laws of Canada and the U.S. of acquiring, holding and disposing of the Notes and receiving payments under the Notes. This summary is based upon the law as in effect on the date of this pricing supplement and is subject to any change in law that may take effect after such date.

 

Supplemental Canadian Tax Considerations

 

In the opinion of Torys LLP, our Canadian federal income tax counsel, the following summary describes the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to a purchaser who acquires from us as the beneficial owner the Notes offered by this document, and who, at all relevant times, for the purposes of the application of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Income Tax Regulations (collectively, the “Tax Act”), (1) is not, and is not deemed to be, resident in Canada; (2) deals at arm’s length with us and with any transferee resident (or deemed to be resident) in Canada to whom the purchaser disposes of Notes, (3) is not affiliated with us, (4) does not receive any payment of interest on a Note in respect of a debt or other obligation to pay an amount to a person with whom we do not deal at arm’s length, (5) does not use or hold Notes in a business carried on in Canada and (6) is not a “specified shareholder” of ours as defined in the Tax Act for this purpose or a non-resident person not dealing at arm’s length with such “specified shareholder” (a “Holder”). Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a non-Canadian holder that is an insurer that carries on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere.

 

 

This section supersedes and replaces in its entirety the section of the prospectus entitled “Canadian Taxation.”

 

This summary is based on the current provisions of the Tax Act and on counsel’s understanding of the current administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency published in writing prior to the date hereof. This summary takes into account all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date of this document (the “Proposed Amendments”) and assumes that all Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed. However, no assurances can be given that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted as proposed, or at all. This summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law or administrative policy or assessing practice whether by legislative, administrative or judicial action nor does it take into account tax legislation or considerations of any province, territory or foreign jurisdiction, which may differ from those discussed herein.

 

This summary is of a general nature only and is not, intended to be, legal or tax advice to any particular holder. This summary is not exhaustive of all Canadian federal income tax considerations. Accordingly, prospective purchasers of the Notes should consult their own tax advisors having regard to their own particular circumstances.

 

Interest paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited by us on a Note (including amounts of, or in lieu of, or in satisfaction of interest) to a Holder and any principal amount of a Note paid or credited by us on a Note to a Holder will not be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax.

 

Generally, there are no other taxes on income (including taxable capital gains) payable by a Holder on interest, discount, or premium in respect of a Note or on the proceeds received by a Holder on the disposition of a Note (including redemption, cancellation, purchase or repurchase).

 

Supplemental U.S. Tax Considerations

 

The following section supplements the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement with respect to United States holders (as defined in the accompanying prospectus). It applies only to those United States holders who are not excluded from the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus. It does not apply to holders subject to special rules including holders subject to Section 451(b) of the Code. For purposes of this discussion, any interest with respect to the Notes, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, will be treated as from sources outside the United States.

 

You should consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax and other tax consequences of your investment in the Notes in your particular circumstances, including the application of state, local or other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.

 

United States Holders

 

The Notes should not be treated as issued with original issue discount (“OID”) despite the fact that the interest rate on the Notes is scheduled to step up over the term of the Notes because Treasury regulations generally deem an issuer to exercise a call option in a manner that minimizes the yield on the debt instrument for purposes of determining whether a debt instrument is issued with OID. The yield on the Notes would be minimized if we redeem the Notes immediately before the increase in the interest rate on August 28, 2021, and therefore the Notes should be treated for OID purposes as fixed-rate notes that will mature prior to the step-up in interest rate for the Notes. This assumption is made solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes of determining whether the Note is issued with OID and is not an indication of our intention to redeem or not to redeem the Notes at any time. If we do not redeem the Notes prior to the first increase in the interest rate then, solely for OID purposes, the Notes will be deemed to be reissued at their adjusted issue price on August 28, 2021. This deemed reissuance should not give rise to taxable gain or loss to holders and the Notes should not be treated as issued with OID because under the rules described above, the Notes should be deemed to be called on the next interest step-up date.

 

Under this approach, the coupon on a Note will be taxable to a United States holder (as defined in the section “United States Federal Income Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus) as ordinary interest income at the time it accrues or is received in accordance with the United States holder’s normal method of accounting for tax purposes (regardless of whether we redeem the Notes).

 

 

Upon the disposition of a Note by sale, exchange, redemption or retirement (i.e., if we exercise our right to redeem the Notes or otherwise) or other disposition, a United States holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount realized on the disposition (other than amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which would be treated as such) and (ii) the United States holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Note. A United States holder’s adjusted tax basis in a Note generally will equal the cost of the Note (net of accrued interest) to the United States holder. Capital gain of individual taxpayers from the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other disposition of a Note held for more than one year may be eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of a capital loss is subject to significant limitations.

 

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Please see the discussion under “United States Federal Income Taxation — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” in the accompanying prospectus for a description of the applicability of the backup withholding and information reporting rules to payments made on your Notes.

 

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

 

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on certain U.S. source payments, including interest (and OID), dividends, other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of property of a type which can produce U.S. source interest or dividends (“Withholdable Payments”), if paid to a foreign financial institution (including amounts paid to a foreign financial institution on behalf of a holder), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury Department to collect and provide to the Treasury Department substantial information regarding U.S. account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners, with such institution. A Note may constitute an account for these purposes. The legislation also generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on Withholdable Payments made to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial U.S. owners of the entity.

 

The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have announced that withholding on payments of gross proceeds from a sale or redemption of the Notes will only apply to payments made after December 31, 2018. If we (or an applicable withholding agent) determine withholding is appropriate, we (or such agent) will withhold tax at the applicable statutory rate, and we will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. Account holders subject to information reporting requirements pursuant to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act may include holders of the Notes. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act may be subject to different rules. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in the Notes.

 

 

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT

 

A fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) (each, a “Plan”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the Plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the Notes. 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 Plan, and whether the investment would involve a prohibited transaction under ERISA or the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).

 

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit Plans, as well as individual retirement accounts, Keogh plans and any other plans that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code (also “Plans”), from engaging in certain transactions involving “plan assets” with persons who are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Code with respect to the Plan. A violation of these prohibited transaction rules may result in excise tax or other liabilities under ERISA or the Code for those persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory, regulatory or administrative exemption. Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) and non-U.S. plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) (“Non-ERISA Arrangements”) are not subject to the requirements of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code but may be subject to similar provisions under applicable federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws (“Similar Laws”).

 

The acquisition of Notes by a Plan or any entity whose underlying assets include “plan assets” by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity (a “Plan Asset Entity”) with respect to which we or certain of our affiliates is or becomes a party in interest or disqualified person may result in a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the Notes are acquired pursuant to an applicable exemption. The U.S. 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 Notes. These exemptions are PTCE 84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTCE 91-38 (for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 95-60 (for transactions involving certain insurance company general accounts), and PTCE 96-23 (for transactions managed by in-house asset managers). In addition, ERISA Section 408(b)(17) and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide an exemption for the purchase and sale of securities offered hereby, provided that neither the issuer of securities offered hereby nor any of its affiliates have or exercise any discretionary authority or control or render any investment advice with respect to the assets of any Plan involved in the transaction, and provided further that the Plan pays no more and receives no less than “adequate consideration” in connection with the transaction (the “service provider exemption”). There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied.

 

Any purchaser or holder of Notes or any interest therein will be deemed to have represented by its purchase and holding of Notes offered hereby that it either (1) is not a Plan, a Plan Asset Entity or a Non-ERISA Arrangement and is not purchasing the Notes on behalf of or with the assets of any Plan, a Plan Asset Entity or Non-ERISA Arrangement or (2) the purchase and holding of the Notes will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a similar violation under any applicable 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 Notes on behalf of or with the assets of any Plan, a Plan Asset Entity 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 the potential consequences of any purchase or holding under Similar Laws, as applicable. Purchasers of Notes have exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their purchase and holding of Notes do not violate the fiduciary or prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or the Code or any similar provisions of Similar Laws. The sale of any Notes to a Plan, Plan Asset Entity or Non-ERISA Arrangement is in no respect a representation by us or any of our affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by any such Plans, Plan Asset Entities or Non-ERISA Arrangements generally or any particular Plan, Plan Asset Entity or Non-ERISA Arrangement or that such investment is appropriate for such Plans, Plan Asset Entities or Non-ERISA Arrangements generally or any particular Plan, Plan Asset Entity or Non-ERISA Arrangement.

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

 

BMOCM will purchase the Notes from us on the settlement date at prices that are expected to range from 98.75% to 99.25% of the principal amount. BMOCM has informed us that, as part of its distribution of the Notes, it will reoffer the Notes to other dealers who will sell them at the original offering price. Each such dealer, or further dealer engaged by a dealer to whom BMOCM reoffers the Notes, will purchase the Notes at an agreed discount to the initial offering price.

 

We own, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding equity securities of BMOCM, the agent for this offering. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, BMOCM may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer.

 

We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offering of any of the Notes and to reject orders in whole or in part. You may cancel any order for the Notes prior to its acceptance.

 

You should not construe the offering of any of the Notes as a recommendation as to the suitability of an investment in the Notes.

 

BMOCM may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the Notes. BMOCM will determine any secondary market prices that it is prepared to offer in its sole discretion.

 

We may use this pricing supplement in the initial sale of the Notes. In addition, BMOCM or another of our affiliates may use this pricing supplement in market-making transactions in any Notes after their initial sale. Unless BMOCM or we inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used by BMOCM in a market-making transaction.

 

No Prospectus (as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, the “Prospectus Directive”)) will be prepared in connection with the Notes. Accordingly, the Notes may not be offered to the public in any member state of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”), and any purchaser of the Notes who subsequently sells any of the Notes in any EEA member state must do so only in accordance with the requirements of the Prospectus Directive, as implemented in that member state.

 

The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, any retail investor in the EEA. For these purposes, the expression “offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Notes, and a “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of: (a) a retail client, as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or (b) a customer, within the meaning of Insurance Distribution Directive 2016/97/EU, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (c) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared, and therefore, offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

 

 

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