News Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 13, 2013) - BMO Bank of Montreal, in partnership with the AIR MILES Reward Program, a LoyaltyOne program, and MasterCard, invite visitors and residents of the community to celebrate summer at the 'BMO Urban Picnic', taking place at Yonge-Dundas Square in downtown Toronto on August 14^th, where for the first time ever, the Square will be transformed into a "green oasis" in the middle of the city.

The event is also the culmination of BMO's first-ever coast-to-coast ice cream truck tour. Before reaching their final destination in Toronto, BMO's ice cream trucks will have traveled to 17 different cities across the country, stopping at 45 BMO branches to hand out free ice cream to Canadians. Approximately 30,000 ice cream cones are expected to be handed out before the cross-Canada road trip draws to a close in Toronto.

Visitors to Yonge-Dundas Square are invited to enjoy a complimentary BBQ, beverages and ice cream, as well as an opportunity to ride the BMO Ferris Wheel.

The event will benefit Kids Help Phone - Canada's leading free, anonymous and confidential professional youth counselling service. BMO, the AIR MILES Reward Program and MasterCard Worldwide will each donate $10,000 to the organization, generating a total of $30,000.

Event Details:

Who:	Su McVey, Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal
	Todd March, Chief Financial Officer, LoyaltyOne
	Milos Vranesevic, Vice President, Head of Marketing, MasterCard Canada
	Sharon Wood, President & CEO, Kids Help Phone
What:	BMO Urban Picnic
		• Complimentary BBQ, beverages and ice cream
		• Opportunity to ride the BMO Ferris Wheel
		• Presentation of $30,000 donation to the Kids Help Phone
		• Prizes and giveaways, including AIR MILES bonus cards - each card will have 25 AIR MILES reward miles, while supplies last
When:	Wednesday, August 14, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
		• Free ice cream and beverages available through entire event
		• Complimentary BBQ sliders from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
		• Donation presentation to Kids Help Phone at 1:00 p.m.
Where:	Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto, ON

Photo opportunities:

• Check out the transformation to urban oasis
• See and ride the ferris wheel;
• Thousands of Torontonians and visitors are expected to participate;
• Complimentary BBQ, beverages and ice-cream; and
• Presentation of $30,000 donation to the Kids Help Phone.

In addition, the event will raise awareness of a rewarding summertime offer. Until August 31, 2013, BMO is offering up to $200 in cash for those who open a chequing and savings account, and 500 Bonus AIR MILES reward miles for those who sign up for a no-fee BMO AIR MILES credit card.

About Kids Help Phone

Since 1989, Kids Help Phone has been Canada's leading online and phone counselling service for youth. It's free, it's anonymous and confidential, and it's available any time of the day or night, 365 days a year in English and in French. Professional counsellors support the mental health and well-being of young people, ages five to 20, by providing one-on-one counselling, information and resources. As a community-based national charity, Kids Help Phone receives no core government funding and relies on community and corporate support to fund its essential and vital service.

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 $555 billion as at April 30, 2013, and more than 46,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.

About the AIR MILES^® Reward Program

Founded in 1992, the AIR MILES Reward Program is Canada's premier coalition loyalty program with more than 10 million active Collector accounts, representing approximately two-thirds of all Canadian households. AIR MILES Collectors can earn reward miles simply by doing their everyday shopping at more than 220 leading brand-name Sponsors, representing thousands of retail and service locations across Canada and leading global brands online. Collectors can indulge in more than 1200 leisure, entertainment, merchandise, travel and a range of accredited, environmentally-friendly lifestyle rewards. With AIR MILES Cash, Collectors can also have the flexibility to instantly redeem their AIR MILES reward miles in-store towards many everyday and high value purchases like gas, grocery, drug store items and home improvement purchases at participating Sponsors.

About MasterCard Worldwide

MasterCard (NYSE:MA), www.mastercard.com, is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Conversations Blog and subscribe for the latest news.