1,851,774 Units $10 principal amount per unit CUSIP No. 063929558	Pricing Date Settlement Date Maturity Date	April 23, 2026 April 30, 2026 June 25, 2027

The notes are being issued by Bank of Montreal (“BMO”). There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks and certain additional costs. See “Risk Factors” and “Additional Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and beginning on page PS-5 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1.

The estimated initial value of the notes determined by us as of the pricing date, which we refer to as the initial estimated value, is $9.66 per unit, which is less than the public offering price listed below. However, as discussed in more detail in this term sheet, the actual value of the notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy. See “Summary” on the following page, “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Structuring the Notes” below for additional information.

The notes are not bail-inable notes and are not subject to conversion into our common shares or the common shares of any of our affiliates under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act.

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None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these notes or determined if this Note Prospectus (as defined below) is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

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The notes:

BofA Securities

April 23, 2026

Summary

The Accelerated Return Notes^® Linked to the iShares^® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due June 25, 2027 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The notes are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or secured by collateral. The notes rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior debt from time to time outstanding. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, are subject to our credit risk.

The notes provide you a leveraged return, subject to a cap, if the Ending Value of the Market Measure, which is the iShares^® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (the “Underlying Fund”), is greater than the Starting Value. If the Ending Value is equal to the Starting Value, you will receive the principal amount of your notes. If the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value, you will lose all or a portion of the principal amount of your notes. Any payments on the notes will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit and will depend on the performance of the Underlying Fund, subject to our credit risk. See “Terms of the Notes” below.

Our initial estimated value of the notes equals the sum of the values of the following hypothetical components:

The internal funding rate used in the determination of the initial estimated value generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The value of these derivative transactions is derived from our internal pricing models. These models are based on factors such as the traded market prices of comparable derivative instruments and on other inputs, which include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. As a result, the initial estimated value of the notes is based on market conditions at the time it is calculated.

The economic terms of the notes (including the Capped Value) are based on our internal funding rate described above. Our internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. This difference in funding rate, as well as the underwriting discount and the hedging related charge described below, will reduce the economic terms of the notes to you and the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date. Due to these factors, the public offering price you pay to purchase the notes is greater than the initial estimated value of the notes.

For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the notes, see “Risk Factors” and “Structuring the Notes” below.

Terms of the Notes			Redemption Amount Determination
Issuer:	Bank of Montreal (“BMO”)		On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows:
Principal Amount:	$10.00 per unit
Term:	Approximately 14 months
Market Measure:	The iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (Bloomberg symbol: “ITA”)
Starting Value:	$219.11
Ending Value:	The average of the products of the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Fund on each calculation day occurring during the Maturity Valuation Period times its Price Multiplier on that day. The scheduled calculation days are subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-24 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1.
Price Multiplier:	1, subject to adjustment for certain events relating to the Underlying Fund, as described beginning on page PS-27 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1
Participation Rate:	300%
Capped Value:	$12.07 per unit, which represents a return of 20.70% over the principal amount.
Maturity Valuation Period:	June 15, 2027, June 16, 2027, June 17, 2027, June 21, 2027 and June 22, 2027
Fees and Charges:	The underwriting discount of $0.175 per unit listed on the cover page and the hedging related charge of $0.05 per unit described in “Structuring the Notes” below.
Joint Calculation Agents:	BMO Capital Markets Corp. (“BMOCM”) and BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”), acting jointly.

The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:

These documents (together, the “Note Prospectus”) have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website as indicated above or obtained from Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) or BofAS by calling toll-free at 1-800-294-1322. Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, for information about us and this offering. Any prior or contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you may have received are superseded by the Note Prospectus. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement EQUITY ARN-1. When we refer to “we,” “us” or “our” in this term sheet, we refer only to Bank of Montreal.

“Accelerated Return Notes^®” and “ARNs^®” are the registered service marks of Bank of America Corporation, the parent company of MLPF&S and BofAS.

Investor Considerations

We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments at Maturity

The following table and examples are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical returns on the notes. They illustrate the calculation of the Redemption Amount and total rate of return based on a hypothetical Starting Value of 100.00, the Participation Rate of 300%, the Capped Value of $12.07 per unit and a range of hypothetical Ending Values. The actual amount you receive and the resulting total rate of return will depend on the actual Starting Value and Ending Value, and whether you hold the notes to maturity. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes.

For recent actual prices of the Underlying Fund, see “The Underlying Fund” section below. The Ending Value will not include any income generated by dividends paid on the Underlying Fund, which you would otherwise be entitled to receive if you invested in the Underlying Fund directly. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.

Redemption Amount Calculation Examples

Example 1
The Ending Value is 50.00, or 50.00% of the Starting Value:
Starting Value:     100.00
Ending Value:        50.00
	= $5.00 Redemption Amount per unit

Example 2
The Ending Value is 102.50, or 102.50% of the Starting Value:
Starting Value:     100.00
Ending Value:      102.50
	= $10.75 Redemption Amount per unit

Example 3
The Ending Value is 130.00, or 130.00% of the Starting Value:
Starting Value:      100.00
Ending Value:      130.00
	= $19.00, however, because the Redemption Amount for the notes cannot exceed the Capped Value, the Redemption Amount will be $12.07 per unit

Risk Factors

There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security. An investment in the notes involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page PS-5 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1, page S-2 of the prospectus supplement, and page 9 of the prospectus identified above. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

Structure-related Risks

Valuation and Market-related Risks

Conflict-related Risks

Market Measure-related Risks

Tax-related Risks

Additional Risk Factors

The equity securities composing the Underlying Fund are concentrated in the aerospace and defense sector.

All or substantially all of the equity securities composing the Underlying Fund are issued by companies whose primary line of business is directly associated with the aerospace and defense sector. As a result, the value of the notes may be subject to greater volatility and may be more adversely affected by a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting this sector than a different investment linked to securities of a more broadly diversified group of issuers. The aerospace and defense sector may be significantly affected by changes in government regulations and spending policies, changes in economic conditions and industry consolidation as well as geopolitical events, international conflicts and other factors that interact in complex and unpredictable ways. The financial condition of these companies is heavily influenced by government defense spending, which may be reduced in efforts to control government budgets. The aerospace industry in particular has recently been affected by adverse economic conditions and consolidation within the industry.

A limited number of securities held by the Underlying Fund may affect its price, and the securities held by the Underlying Fund are not necessarily representative of the aerospace and defense sector.

While the securities held by the Underlying Fund are common stocks of companies generally considered to be involved in various segments of the aerospace and defense sector, the securities held by the Underlying Fund may not follow the price movements of the entire aerospace and defense sector generally. As of the date of this term sheet, a small number of securities make up a significant portion of the total weight of the Underlying Fund’s holdings. If these securities decline in value, the Underlying Fund will likely decline in value even if security prices in the aerospace and defense sector generally increase in value.

The Underlying Fund

The Underlying Fund is issued by iShares^® Trust, a registered investment company. The Underlying Fund seeks to track the investment results, before fees and expenses, of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, a capped float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the aerospace and defense sub-sectors, as defined by S&P Dow Jones’ proprietary classification system, of the U.S. equity market. Information provided to or filed with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, can be located by reference to SEC file numbers 333-92935 and 811-09729 and can be inspected through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. None of such publicly available information is incorporated by reference into this term sheet. The Underlying Fund is listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. under the ticker symbol “ITA.” For more information about the The Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, see “—The Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index” below.

This term sheet relates only to the notes offered hereby and does not relate to the Underlying Fund. We have derived all disclosures contained in this term sheet regarding the Underlying Fund from the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph, without independent investigation. In connection with the offering of the notes, neither we nor any agent has participated in the preparation of such documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Underlying Fund. Neither we nor any agent has independently verified the accuracy or completeness of any information with respect to the Underlying Fund in connection with the offer and sale of the notes. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph) that would affect the trading price of the Underlying Fund have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the Underlying Fund could affect the value of, and any payments on, the notes.

We and/or our affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with the Underlying Fund. In the course of such business, we and/or our affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to the Underlying Fund, and neither we nor any of our affiliates undertakes to disclose any such information to you. In addition, one or more of our affiliates may publish research reports with respect to the Underlying Fund. The statements in the preceding two sentences are not intended to affect the rights of investors in the notes under the securities laws.

The Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index

We obtained all information contained in this term sheet regarding the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (the “Aerospace & Defense Index”) including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available information. That information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P Dow Jones”), the index sponsor. S&P Dow Jones has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Aerospace & Defense Index at any time. Neither we nor any agent has independently verified the accuracy or completeness of any information with respect to the Aerospace & Defense Index in connection with the offer and sale of notes.

In addition, information about the Aerospace & Defense Index may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, the S&P Dow Jones’s website. We are not incorporating by reference into this term sheet the website or any material it includes. Neither we nor any agent makes any representation that such publicly available information regarding the Aerospace & Defense Index is accurate or complete.

The Aerospace & Defense Index is a capped float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the aerospace and defense sub-sectors, as defined by S&P Dow Jones’ proprietary classification system, of the U.S. equity market. These sub-sectors include manufacturers, assemblers and distributors of aircraft and aircraft parts primarily used in commercial or private air transport and producers of components and equipment for the defense industry, including military aircraft, radar equipment and weapons. S&P Dow Jones began calculating the Aerospace & Defense Index on a live basis on April 28, 2006. The level of the Aerospace & Defense Index was set equal to 1000 on December 31, 1991, the base date of the Aerospace & Defense Index. The level of the Aerospace & Defense Index is reported by Bloomberg L.P. under the ticker symbol “DJSASD.”

Constituent Selection

Constituent Eligibility. The eligible index universe includes all common stocks of companies included in the Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index that are categorized into the aerospace and defense sub-sectors, based on a proprietary classification system used by S&P Dow Jones. The Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index is designed to measure the performance of large-, mid- and small-cap U.S. equity securities. Limited partnerships are not eligible for index membership.

Multiple Classes of Stocks. All publicly listed multiple share class lines are eligible for index inclusion, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.

Market Capitalization. On the last business day of the month prior to the quarterly rebalancing, a non-constituent company must have float-adjusted market capitalization of at least $500 million to become a constituent. If a company is already an index constituent, its float-adjusted market capitalization must be at least $250 million to remain a constituent.

Minimum Component Count. At each quarterly rebalancing, if the component count is less than 22 after applying the rules set forth above, the market capitalization requirement is relaxed so that the next largest non-component in the eligible universe is added until the component count reaches 22.

Constituent Weightings

At each rebalancing, the Aerospace & Defense Index is float-adjusted market capitalization weighted, subject to the following constraints:

These caps are set to allow for a buffer below the 25%, 5% and 50% limits, respectively.

Index Calculation

The Aerospace & Defense Index is a capped float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index. The index value of the Aerospace & Defense Index is the market value of the Aerospace & Defense Index divided by the index divisor:

where:  is the number of stocks in the index, is the price of stock ,  is total shares outstanding of stock , is the float factor of stock  (as defined in “— Float Adjustment” below), and is the adjustment factor of stock assigned at each index rebalancing date, , which adjusts the market capitalization for all index constituents to achieve the user-defined weight, while maintaining the total market value of the overall index. The AWF for each index constituent, i, at rebalancing date, t, is calculated by:

where:  is the uncapped weight of stock  on rebalancing date  based on the float-adjusted market capitalization of all index constituents and is the capped weight of stock  on rebalancing date  as determined by the capping rule and the process for determining capped weights, as described under “— Constituent Weightings” above.

Float Adjustment. Float adjustment means that the number of shares outstanding is reduced to exclude closely held shares from the calculation of the index value because such shares are not available to investors. The goal of float adjustment is to adjust each company’s total shares outstanding for long-term strategic shareholders, who often have interests such as maintaining control rather than the shorter-term economic fortunes of the company. Generally, these long-term strategic shareholders include, but are not limited to, officers and directors, private equity, venture capital and special equity firms, asset managers and insurance companies with direct board of director representation, other publicly traded companies that hold shares, holders of restricted shares, company-sponsored employee share plans/trusts, defined contribution plans/savings, and investment plans, foundations or family trusts associated with the company, government entities at all levels (other than government retirement/pension funds), sovereign wealth funds and any individual person who controls a 5% or greater stake in a company as reported in regulatory filings. Restricted shares are generally not included in total shares outstanding except for shares held as part of a lock-up agreement. Shares that are not considered outstanding are also not included in the available float. These generally include treasury stock, stock options, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock and rights.

For each constituent, S&P Dow Jones calculates an Investable Weight Factor (“IWF”), which represents the portion of the total shares outstanding that are considered part of the public float for purposes of the Aerospace & Defense Index.

Divisor. Continuity in index values of the Aerospace & Defense Index is maintained by adjusting its divisor for all changes in its constituents’ share capital after its base date. This includes additions and deletions to the Aerospace & Defense Index, rights issues, share buybacks and issuances and non-zero price spin-offs. The value of the Aerospace & Defense Index’s divisor over time is, in effect, a chronological summary of all changes affecting the base capital of the Aerospace & Defense Index. The divisor of the Aerospace & Defense Index is adjusted such that the index value of the Aerospace & Defense Index at an instant just prior to a change in base capital equals the index value of the Aerospace & Defense at an instant immediately following that change.

Index Maintenance

Rebalancing. The Aerospace & Defense Index is rebalanced quarterly, effective at the open of trading on the Monday following the third Friday of March, June, September, and December. Component eligibility is determined as of the last trading day of the month prior to rebalancing. The reference date used for a company’s sub-sector classification is the Aerospace & Defense Index’s rebalancing effective date. As part of the rebalancing process, the Aerospace & Defense Index’s composition, shares and weight caps are adjusted, if necessary.

Stocks are assigned index shares using the closing prices as of seven business days prior to the rebalancing effective date as the reference price. For index selection purposes, the Aerospace & Defense Index uses shares outstanding and IWF figures as of the rebalancing effective date.

Additions. Except for spin-offs, no additions are made to the Aerospace & Defense Index between quarterly rebalancings.

Deletions. Between rebalancings, a company can be deleted from the Aerospace & Defense Index due to corporate events such as mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, delistings or bankruptcies. Deleted constituents are not replaced between rebalancings. If, during the course of the regular review of company classifications, a constituent’s sub-sector classification changes to no longer include the aerospace or defense sub-sector classifications, it is removed from the Aerospace & Defense Index at the next rebalancing. If a constituent’s sector classification changes due to a corporate action such as a merger or spin-off, it is evaluated and may be removed from the Aerospace & Defense Index at that time.

The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the Underlying Fund on its primary exchange in the period from January 1, 2016 through the pricing date. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg Finance L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg Finance L.P. On the pricing date, the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Fund was $219.11. The graph below may have been adjusted to reflect certain actions, such as stock splits and reverse stock splits.

Historical Performance of the Underlying Fund

This historical data on the Underlying Fund is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Underlying Fund or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the price per share of the Underlying Fund during any period set forth above is not an indication that the price per share of the Underlying Fund is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the prices of the Underlying Fund.

Supplement to the Plan of Distribution

Under our distribution agreement with BofAS, BofAS will purchase the notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount.

BofAS has informed us of the information in the following paragraph. MLPF&S will purchase the notes from BofAS for resale, and will receive a selling concession in connection with the sale of the notes in an amount up to the full amount of underwriting discount set forth on the cover of this term sheet.

We will pay a fee to LFT Securities, LLC for providing certain electronic platform services with respect to this offering, which reduces the economic terms of the notes to you. An affiliate of BofAS has an ownership interest in LFT Securities, LLC.

We may deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than one business day following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than one business day prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. In the original offering of the notes, the notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units. If you place an order to purchase the notes, you are consenting to MLPF&S and/or one of its affiliates acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.

BofAS has advised us that MLPF&S and BofAS may repurchase and resell the notes, with repurchases and resales being made at prices related to then-prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices determined by reference to their pricing models at their discretion, and these prices will include MLPF&S’s and BofAS’s trading commissions and mark-ups or mark-downs. MLPF&S and BofAS may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions; however, neither is obligated to engage in any such transactions. BofAS has advised us that at MLPF&S’s and BofAS’s discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the notes, MLPF&S and BofAS may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the notes. Any price offered by MLPF&S or BofAS for the notes is expected to be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Underlying Fund and the remaining term of the notes. However, none of us, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates is obligated to purchase your notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that we, MLPF&S, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates will purchase your notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the notes.

BofAS has informed us that, as of the date of this term sheet, it expects that if you hold your notes in a BofAS account, the value of the notes shown on your account statement will be based on BofAS’s estimate of the value of the notes if BofAS or another of its affiliates were to make a market in the notes, which it is not obligated to do. That estimate will be based upon the price that BofAS may pay for the notes in light of then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, as mentioned above, and will include transaction costs. At certain times, this price may be higher than or lower than the initial estimated value of the notes.

The distribution of the Note Prospectus in connection with these offers or sales will be solely for the purpose of providing investors with the description of the terms of the notes that was made available to investors in connection with their initial offering. Secondary market investors should not, and will not be authorized to, rely on the Note Prospectus for information regarding BMO or for any purpose other than that described in the immediately preceding sentence.

Structuring the Notes

The notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Underlying Fund. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the notes reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. In addition, because market-linked notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us, we typically borrow the funds under these notes at a rate that is more favorable to us than the rate which we refer to as our internal funding rate, which is the rate that we might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security. This generally relatively lower internal funding rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the notes, along with costs associated with offering, structuring and hedging the notes, results in the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date being less than the public offering price.

At maturity, we are required to pay the Redemption Amount to holders of the notes, which will be calculated based on the $10 per unit principal amount and will depend on the performance of the Underlying Fund. In order to meet these payment obligations, at the time we issue the notes, we expect to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with BofAS or one of its affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined by seeking bids from market participants, which may include MLPF&S, BofAS and/or one of their or our respective affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Underlying Fund, the tenor of the notes and the tenor of the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.

BofAS has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include a hedging related charge of approximately $0.05 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit to be credited to BofAS from these transactions. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, additional profits and losses from these hedging arrangements may be realized by our affiliates, MLPF&S, BofAS or any other hedge providers. Any profit in connection with such hedging activity will be in addition to any other compensation that the agent, and their or our respective affiliates receive for the sale of notes, which creates an additional incentive to sell the notes to you.

For further information, see “Risk Factors—Valuation- and Market-related Risks” beginning on page PS-6 and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page PS-20 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1.

Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences

For a discussion of the material Canadian federal income tax consequences relating to an investment in the notes, please see the section entitled “Canadian Federal Income Tax Summary” in the product supplement EQUITY ARN-1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the accompanying product supplement, the Canadian tax consequences discussed in the accompanying product supplement do not take into account the proposed amendments to the “hybrid mismatch arrangement” rules in the Tax Act released for consultation on January 29, 2026.

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

Although there is uncertainty regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes due to the lack of governing authority, in the opinion of our counsel Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, under current law, and based on current market conditions, it is reasonable to treat a note as a single financial contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Assuming this treatment of the notes is respected, the tax consequences are as outlined in the discussion under “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—ARNs Treated as Open Transactions” in the accompanying product supplement.

Even if the treatment of the notes as “open transactions” is respected, a purchase of a note may be treated as entry into a “constructive ownership transaction,” within the meaning of Section 1260 of the Code. In that case, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain a U.S. investor would otherwise recognize in respect of a note would be recharacterized as ordinary income to the extent such gain exceeded the “net underlying long-term capital gain.” Any long-term capital gain recharacterized as ordinary income under Section 1260 would be treated as accruing at a constant rate over the period the U.S. investor held the notes, and the U.S. investor would be subject to an interest charge in respect of the deemed tax liability on the income treated as accruing in prior tax years. Due to the lack of governing authority there is significant uncertainty as to whether or how these rules will apply to the notes. U.S. investors should read the section entitled “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders—ARNs Treated as Open Transactions—Possible Application of Section 1260 of the Code” in the accompanying product supplement for additional information and consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of the “constructive ownership” rule.

We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding the treatment of the notes. If the IRS were successful in asserting an alternative treatment of the notes, the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the notes, including the timing and character of income recognized by U.S. investors, and the withholding tax consequences to non-U.S. investors, might be materially and adversely affected. For example, under one alternative characterization the notes may be treated as contingent payment debt instruments, which would require U.S. investors to accrue income periodically based on a “comparable yield” and generally would require non-U.S. investors to certify their non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8 to avoid a 30% (or a lower treaty rate) U.S. withholding tax. In addition, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have requested comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar financial instruments and have indicated that such transactions may be the subject of future regulations or other guidance. Furthermore, members of Congress have proposed legislative changes to the tax treatment of derivative contracts. Any legislation, Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the notes, possibly with retroactive effect.

As discussed in the accompanying product supplement, Section 871(m) of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% (or lower treaty rate) withholding tax on “dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid to non-U.S. investors with respect to certain financial instruments linked to equities that could pay U.S.-source dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“underlying securities”), as defined under the applicable Treasury regulations, or indices that include underlying securities. Section 871(m) generally applies to financial instruments that substantially replicate the economic performance of one or more underlying securities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations. Pursuant to an IRS notice, Section 871(m) will not apply to notes issued before January 1, 2027 that do not have a delta of one with respect to any underlying security. Based on our determination that the notes do not have a delta of one with respect to any underlying security, the notes should not be subject to Section 871(m). Our determination is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Section 871(m) is complex and its application may depend on a non-U.S. investor’s particular circumstances, including whether the non-U.S. investor enters into other transactions with respect to an underlying security. If withholding is required, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to the amounts so withheld. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the notes.

Both U.S. and non-U.S. investors considering an investment in the notes should read the discussion under “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement and consult their tax advisors regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of an investment in the notes, including possible alternative treatments, and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

Validity of the Notes

In the opinion of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, the issue and sale of the notes has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Bank of Montreal in conformity with the indenture, and when this pricing supplement has been attached to, and duly notated on, the master note that represents the notes, the notes will have been validly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered, to the extent that validity of the notes is a matter governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein and will be valid obligations of the Bank of Montreal, subject to the following limitations (i) the enforceability of the indenture may be limited by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (Canada), the Winding-up and Restructuring Act (Canada) and bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, arrangement or winding-up laws or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; (ii) the enforceability of the indenture may be limited by equitable principles, including the principle that equitable remedies such as specific performance and injunction may only be granted in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction; (iii) pursuant to the Currency Act (Canada) a judgment by a Canadian court must be awarded in Canadian currency and that such judgment may be based on a rate of exchange in existence on a day other than the day of payment; and (iv) the enforceability of the indenture will be subject to the limitations contained in the Limitations Act, 2002 (Ontario), and such counsel expresses no opinion as to whether a court may find any provision of the indenture to be unenforceable as an attempt to vary or exclude a limitation period under that Act. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the Provinces of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. In addition, this opinion is subject to certain assumptions about (i) the trustees’ authorization, execution and delivery of the indenture, (ii) the genuineness of signatures and (iii) certain other matters, all as stated in the letter of such counsel dated March 25, 2025, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.3 to Bank of Montreal’s Form 6-K filed with the SEC and dated March 25, 2025.

In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, as special United States products counsel to the Bank of Montreal, when the notes offered by this pricing supplement have been issued by the Bank of Montreal pursuant to the indenture, the trustee has made the appropriate entries or notations to the master global note that represents such notes (the “master note”), and such notes have been delivered against payment as contemplated herein, such notes will be valid and binding obligations of the Bank of Montreal, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith) and possible judicial or regulatory actions or applications giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights, provided that such counsel expresses no opinion as to (i) the enforceability of any waiver of rights under any usury or stay law; or (ii) the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York. Insofar as the foregoing opinion involves matters governed by the laws of the Provinces of Ontario and Québec and the federal laws of Canada, you have received, and we understand that you are relying upon, the opinion of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Canadian counsel for the Bank of Montreal, set forth above. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the indenture and the authentication of the master note and the validity, binding nature and enforceability of the indenture with respect to the trustee, all as stated in the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP dated March 25, 2025, which has been filed as an exhibit to Bank of Montreal’s report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2025.