News Releases

TORONTO, June 16, 2008 – Since the launch of Canada's first and only debit card program that rewards consumers with AIR MILES reward miles last June, AIR MILES Collectors have been getting more mileage out of their everyday banking with BMO.

Prior to the launch of BMO's comprehensive debit card program, the average AIR MILES Collector could earn approximately 900 reward miles a year simply by doing their everyday shopping at AIR MILES Sponsors. When the same Collector uses a BMO debit card to make their monthly purchases, the earning potential increases by more than 30 per cent.

Plus, as many savvy Collectors have discovered, you now have the opportunity to double your earning potential when you combine the new Debit Program with a Mosaik MasterCard and additional BMO Bank of Montreal products.

“The BMO debit offer provides AIR MILES Collectors a unique way to earn reward miles and reach their desired reward sooner,” says Neil Everett, Senior Vice President, AIR MILES Reward Program. “The statistics prove Collectors are rewarded for their loyalty. Banking with BMO makes collecting reward miles easier and faster.”

Since introducing the debit program in June 2007, the number of Collectors who are now eligible to earn AIR MILES on their debit purchases has grown by 28 per cent.

“Everyday, AIR MILES Collectors are discovering the benefits of banking with BMO,” says Lynne Kilpatrick, Senior Vice-President, Personal Banking, BMO Bank of Montreal. “The program resonates with Collectors because the value is clear – when you make your purchases with a BMO debit card or BMO Mosaik MasterCard with AIR MILES you're always collecting.”

Reward miles collected through BMO debit transactions are combined with those accumulated through Mosaik MasterCard purchases, providing Canadians more ways to add up reward miles. In addition, BMO provides bonus reward miles for customers with multiple banking products and services, creating the easiest way to collect more reward miles and redeem them faster.

The additional reward miles help Collectors achieve their dream rewards quicker. Whether it's a flat-screen TV, dream vacation or iPod, Collectors with a BMO debit card have the potential to get there faster, without changing their purchasing habits.

Since the launch of the BMO debit offer, AIR MILES Collectors have earned enough reward miles with their debit card purchases to redeem for:

• More than 12,500 Panasonic Viera 42-inch HDTV Plasma TVs;
• More than 40,000 Broil King Signet 50,000 BTUs BBQs;
• More than 43,000 trips for two to Orlando, Florida from Toronto;
• More than 60,000 8GB iPod Touches.

About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $357 billion as at April 30, 2007, and more than 35,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions. BMO Financial Group serves its personal banking clients across Canada through its Canadian retail arm, BMO Bank of Montreal.

About The AIR MILES Reward Program
The AIR MILES Reward Program is North America's premier coalition loyalty program, with more than 9 million active Collector accounts, representing approximately two-thirds of Canadian households, collecting AIR MILES reward miles with the recognizable blue card.

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