Breaking the silence of a relatively quiet new issue market, four big bought deals sprang to life Tuesday, raising a collective $1.9-billion for four different companies.

In each of those deals, BMO Nesbitt Burns played a key role, serving as either the lead or co-lead underwriter.

BMO led both Great-West Lifeco’s big $1.25-billion offering to finance its acquisition of Irish Life Group and Power Financial’s $300-million preferred share offering, issued in part to help finance the company’s participation in the Great-West deal.