The Briscoe Law Firm, PLLC, founded by a former state prosecutor and enforcement attorney for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and the law firm of Powers Taylor LLP are investigating potential legal claims against the Board of Directors of Marshall & Ilsley Corp. (“Marshall & Ilsley” or “MI”) (NYSE: MI) related to the proposed acquisition of Marshall & Ilsley by Bank of Montreal (NYSE: BMO).

The definitive merger agreement involves a stock-for-stock transaction valued at approximately $4.1 billion. Under the proposed transaction, Marshall & Ilsley shareholders will receive a fixed ratio of .1257 shares of Bank of Montreal common stock for each share of Marshall & Ilsley/MI common stock they hold. The acquisition price reportedly represents a value of $7.75 per share to Marshall & Ilsley shareholders, based on Bank of Montreal’s closing price on December 16, 2010. However, Marshall & Ilsley shares closed over $10.00 per share as recently as April 2010, and analysts have stated that the true inherent value of Marshall & Ilsley shares could be as high $9.50. In addition, in connection with the acquisition agreement, Marshall & Ilsley issued an option to Bank of Montreal to purchase up to 19.7% of MI’s common stock, which will provide a significant interest in MI to Bank of Montreal. “Based on the low value to shareholders, and other factors, we have concern whether the proposed acquisition is fair to Marshall & Ilsley shareholders, and we want to ensure that the shareholders are receiving the maximum value for their stock,” said shareholder rights attorney Willie Briscoe.

The investigation relates to possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of state law by the Board of Directors of Marshall & Ilsley for approving this transaction and whether Marshall & Ilsley’s Board of Directors acted in the shareholders’ best interests.

If you currently own shares of Marshall & Ilsley/MI and would like additional information regarding this investigation, or if you have information regarding the allegations involved in this transaction, please contact Patrick Powers at Powers Taylor, LLP, toll free (877) 728-9607, via e-mail at patrick@powerstaylor.com, or Willie Briscoe at The Briscoe Law Firm, PLLC toll free (877) 397-5991, or via email at WBriscoe@TheBriscoeLawFirm.com. There is no cost or fee to you.

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