The asset management arm of Canada's BMO Financial Group has launched nine new exchange-traded funds in Europe.

BMO Global Asset Management has launched its first exchange-traded funds in Europe, also becoming the first Canadian bank to do so.

The nine ETFs, listed on the London Stock Exchange and registered in Dublin, are aimed at UK and European investors. They include four global corporate bond ETFs, which will focus on investment grade corporate bonds and high yield, and five equity ETFs targeting high quality income.

Three global corporate bond ETFs and a global high yield ETF will track the Barclays Very Liquid Index, part of the Barclays Global Aggregate Bond Index. For the equity ETFs, the company has developed new equity indices, which alongside the MSCI index will apply filters to select companies with the highest quality scores and above average dividend yields.

The UCITS funds are all listed in sterling and those that invest in non-sterling investments will be sterling-hedged so as to mitigate currency risk. The ETFs, which will be managed by the company's London-based team, aim to provide investors a more precise positioning in an uncertain interest rate environment, the firm said.

“Establishing our ETF offering in Europe is a key strategic milestone for us as we continue to expand across the region,” said Richard Wilson, chief executive of BMO Global Asset Management (EMEA).

“Since the launch of the BMO Global Asset Management brand in Europe earlier this year, we have successfully brought our investment expertise to help new clients in new markets. Building on this momentum, we have used our experience managing ETFs in Canada and Hong Kong to develop and deliver a tailored offering for European investors.”

BMO Global Asset Management, which operates from 24 offices across 14 countries, had more than $244 billion in assets under management as of the end of July.