News Releases

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwire - June 14, 2011) -

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available on the Marketwire website.

BMO, the Bank of Soccer in Canada, and the Montreal Impact today announced the signing of a five-year sponsorship agreement by which BMO will become the Impact's lead sponsor when the team enters Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2012. The new partnership confirms the two organizations shared passion for soccer and strengthens BMO's ongoing support for the sport and its fans at both the amateur and professional levels.

"We are delighted to be joining the Montreal Impact as the exclusive presenting partner when the team makes its entry into MLS in 2012," said L. Jacques Ménard, President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec. "This important partnership is proof of our mutual commitment to developing soccer in Quebec. BMO is proud to associate its brand with the world's most popular sport and with a team that will pull in crowds and thrill Montrealers and Quebecers," added Mr. Ménard.

"Today, we have reached another historic milestone," said Joey Saputo, president of the Montreal Impact. "It is with great pride that we announce a great partnership for a great soccer city. BMO Financial Group is a financial institution that is constantly increasing its involvement with the soccer community. I applaud their initiatives to support soccer across the country. Through BMO, the Impact is giving its firm commitment to remain accessible even after it enters MLS."

As official sponsor, BMO will have its logo displayed on the Montreal Impact jersey; in a section of Saputo Stadium; on the players' bench; at the stadium's main entrance; and on tickets.

BMO's partnership with the Impact fits perfectly with the institution's grassroots support of more than 900 girls' and boys' teams across Canada. To make this commitment to young people even more tangible, BMO will introduce the BMO Team Up with the Impact program that will enable young players from local clubs to attend the Impact's home matches in a dedicated BMO seating area. With this program, young players will be able to raise funds for their team and take part in various pre-game activities, acting as flag bearers and ball retrievers.

BMO customers will be able to take advantage of BMO's Power of Blue program at all Montreal Impact MLS home matches. The program gives BMO customers access to:

• A 10 per cent discount on Impact tickets and merchandise
• An exclusive entrance when attending matches at the stadium
• VIP treatment: at each match a BMO customer and his/her guest will be upgraded to better seats
• Unique experiences through other BMO Power of Blue perks and privileges.

About BMO Financial Group

Since its foundation in 1817 under the name Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group has believed in community investment and corporate responsibility toward the communities in which it does business. BMO Bank of Montreal has more than 140 branches in Quebec, while BMO Nesbitt Burns and BMO Harris Private Banking operate 22 and three respectively. BMO has approximately 5,000 employees in Quebec.

BMO supports soccer across Canada from youth players in local neighbourhoods and communities to the professional level. Our deep commitment to "The Beautiful Game" is evident from the beginning of the curve with our grassroots sponsorship of more than 900 youth teams nationally. Most recently, BMO launched BMO Team of the Week, a contest to reward youth teams across the country with a grand prize that includes $125,000 to refurbish their local soccer field.

The relationship continues with our support of elite youth players at the National Championships through to our professional teams support. BMO's partnership with the Toronto FC includes its jersey sponsorship and naming rights to the venue (BMO Field). In Fall 2010, BMO was named the first founding partner of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

About the Montreal Impact

The Montreal Impact is Montreal's professional soccer club. The team made its debut in 1993. It has won three division championships (1994, 2004 and 2009), five regular season championships (1995, 1996, 1997, 2005 and 2006) and a Nutrilite Canadian Championship (2008). It also took part in the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final on February 25, 2009, before 55,571 spectators at the Olympic Stadium. Playing in the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 2011, the Impact will join Major League Soccer (MLS), North America's most prestigious league, in 2012. Saputo Stadium, the Impact's home since 2008, will be expanded to 20,341 seats for the club's inaugural season in the MLS.

www.BMOsoccer.com offers soccer fans soccer skill instructions, information about upcoming Play Soccer and Mini Soccer Festival events in towns across the country, plus soccer contests, downloads, and more.