BMO Honours Canada's Defence Community at Leafs Game

TORONTO , Jan. 29 /CNW/ - BMO Bank of Montreal will be taking part in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment's Canadian Forces Appreciation Weekend, by honouring Canada's defence community when the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, January 30th at Air Canada Centre.

"As the Official Bank of Canada's Defence Community, we at BMO are proud to be a part of this special event, to show our thanks and appreciation to our troops for defending our country," said Frank Techar, President and CEO, BMO Bank of Montreal . "We are pleased to help make this special night a great experience."

Any member of the Canadian Forces in uniform will be able to enter the BMO Power of Blue door at Gate 1, which provides special access for BMO customers. After the game, all troops in attendance will receive a special gift from BMO and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Meanwhile, fans will be encouraged to visit bmo.com/sot for information on the new BMO Support our Troops MasterCard. A percentage of the value of customer transactions on the card supports a variety of morale and welfare programs on bases, wings and units such as the Military Families Fund at no additional cost.

As well, BMO will honour members of Soldier On, a group of Canadian Forces personnel who have been injured or have become ill yet continue to maintain a full and active participation in physical fitness, health promotion and sport. BMO will introduce one of the members of Soldier On to the crowd as part of the in-game BMO in the Community segment recognizing people who have made a difference.

"When BMO presented us with this opportunity to reward members of our community with a VIP experience to tonight's game, it reinforced the partnership we have built through the Canadian Defence Community Banking Program," said Kim Ann Charest , National Manager of the Canadian Defence Community Banking Program within the Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services Agency. "Tonight we have been able to reward deserving members who have volunteered and made a difference in their local communities."

Established in 1817 as Canada's first bank, BMO Bank of Montreal has supported national defence efforts for nearly two centuries. For instance, during the First World War, BMO established temporary branches to pay troops at various encampments throughout Canada ; overseas all Canadians officers were paid through the bank's Waterloo Place office in London . During the Second World War, the Bank's President, George Spinney , headed the National War Finance Committee, which oversaw the sale of Victory Loan bonds, and in the mid-1950s Bank of Montreal opened branches at Canadian Air Force and Army bases in France and Germany . Most recently, BMO Bank of Montreal and Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services Agency have worked together to develop an enhanced banking program to meet the needs of the Canadian defence community.

For further information: News Media Enquiries: Peter Scott, Toronto, [email protected], [phone]