Aug 13 (Reuters) - Canada's Bank of Montreal ( BNKD ) is

exploring a sale of its transportation finance business for

about $1 billion, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing

people familiar with the matter.

The bank has been lining up for potential buyers of the

business, which could attract private equity firms and private

credit players, as per the report.

No final decision has been made in regards to the business -

which has about $11 billion in assets - and BMO might opt to

hold onto it, Bloomberg said.

Bank of Montreal ( BNKD ) did not immediately respond to a Reuters

request for comment.

The bank's transportation finance arm provides loans and

leases, which are tailored primarily for trucks and trailers

across North America. It also serves inventory financing and

fleet cost management needs for the sector.

Bank of Montreal ( BNKD ) had acquired General Electric Capital

Corporation's transportation finance business about a decade

ago, to boost its commercial banking at the time.

The bank has made several key executive changes in the

recent past to foster growth and expand its footprint in the

United States.