Feb 23 (Reuters) - Bank of Montreal BMO.TO :
* BANK OF MONTREAL NOT 'COMPELLED' TO USE EXCESS CAPITAL FOR M&A, PREFERS NORTH AMERICA IF IT DOES DO DEALS-CONF CALL
* BMO NOT 'BUILDING BUSINESS PLAN ON EXPECTATION' THAT REGULATOR WILL RELEASE RESTRICTIONS ON BUYBACKS, DIVIDEND INCREASES AT ANY PARTICULAR DATE-CONF CALL
* BMO EXPECTS 'VERY STRONG RECOVERY' IN NORTH AMERICA THIS YEAR ASSUMING CONTINUED VACCINATION PROGRESS-CONF CALL
* BMO SURPRISED BY ABILITY OF CLIENTS IN CORONAVIRUS-HIT SECTORS TO WEATHER STRESS, RESULTING IN LOW LOSS RATES- CONF CALL