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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 5, 2012) - The Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada recognized BMO Financial Group with two Sponsorship Marketing Awards (SMAs) at its 8^th annual conference in Toronto on April 3^rd. BMO won a Gold Award in the Special Interest category for its work as the Official Bank of the Calgary Stampede, and an Award of Distinction in the Sports category for the BMO Team of the Week soccer sponsorship.

The SMAs recognize companies that have maximized their investments in sponsorship marketing by developing innovative strategies that drive business results.

"We're delighted to be acknowledged for our sponsorship strategy, which has been developed to create community-focused properties across the country that are specific to where our customers live and work," said Sandy Bourne, Vice-President, Corporate Advertising & Sponsorships, BMO Financial Group. "We are proud that BMO Team of the Week, one of our newest sponsorships, and the Calgary Stampede, our oldest sponsorship, have been recognized."

The judging panel highlighted BMO's ability to keep its long-standing partnership with the Calgary Stampede fresh and engaging, and also recognized how owning the soccer sponsorship category through the BMO Team of the Week can build powerful brand affinity.

About BMO's Sponsorship of the Calgary Stampede

BMO has been the official bank of the Calgary Stampede since the first Stampede in 1912 and a sponsor for 31 years. This year, BMO will host family-fun events such as the BMO Farm Family Awards, BMO Kids' Day and the 10-day BMO Kids' Zone. The partnership includes the title sponsorships of the Farm Family Awards, honouring the contribution of those working in the agriculture industry, and BMO Kids' Day on July 11^th which welcomes more than 25,000 people annually for a free pancake breakfast and plenty of fun family entertainment. BMO Centre in Stampede Park is one of the largest consumer/trade show facilities in Western Canada, and was awarded the Consumer's Choice Award as the city's favourite banquet and reception hall.

About BMO's Team of the Week Sponsorship

BMO Team of the Week kicked off in the spring of 2011, celebrating youth soccer and inspiring communities across the country. Each year, fifteen weekly winners are chosen across the country, and out of those 15, the Team of the Week Champion is crowned.

Now in its second year, the grand prize is still one of the largest of its kind in Canada: a $125,000 prize towards a field refurbishment. The grand prize also includes a $5,000 donation to the champion's charity of choice and a trip to see a Canadian MLS or National Team home game. BMO - the Bank of Soccer in Canada - created this initiative as part of the nationwide sponsorship of Canadian youth soccer, which includes 900 youth soccer teams. This year's contest started on April 2^nd.

About BMO Financial Group

For more than 194 years, BMO Financial Group has believed in community reinvestment and corporate and social responsibility in the communities it serves. In 2011, BMO contributed more than $66 million in donations, sponsorships and events in Canada and the United States to groups, organizations and programs that help build and sustain resilient, vital and healthy communities.

Web: www.bmo.com

Twitter: @BMOmedia