Laurentian Bank Takes to the Skies for an Eighth Time with the International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

MONTREAL, May 28, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - It is with great pleasure that Laurentian Bank is marking its eighth year of partnership this summer with the International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. To be celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year, the Festival will take place August 10-18 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

The Bank is extending a special invitation to young families to come visit the Laurentian Bank Little + area, where children will be able to participate in a variety of amusing activities. They will also have an opportunity to express their creativity and have souvenir pictures taken to immortalize their visit.

For their part, Bank clients and employees are also sure to enjoy their visit to the Laurentian Bank Lounge on the Festival site. Simply by presenting a Laurentian Bank ATM or VISA card, they will have access to a prime spot from which to watch the hot air balloons soar, or just to relax with refreshments.

Given the sheer number and variety of the activities being offered, the Bank will have information booths available to visitors, as well as roving representatives who will answer any questions and help make the experience as enjoyable as possible for festivalgoers.

"We are very proud to be celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the International Balloon Festival," underlines Stéphane Gagnon, Laurentian Bank's Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Product Management. "This constantly evolving major event is definitely among the most popular in Québec, and it has even made its mark on the regional and international scene. We are delighted to be associated with the Festival, which is a natural fit with the Bank's sponsorship and community involvement philosophy."

This year's event will feature a brand-new interactive multimedia component — Les Nuits magiques, A Laurentian Bank Experience — to be held August 11, 12, 14 and 15. During these four enchanting evenings, festivalgoers will have an opportunity to participate actively in determining the course of open-air performances via their smartphone.

Moreover, visitors will have a chance to get up close and personal with the hot air balloons, in particular the one bearing the Bank's colours, and meet their pilots right on the field from which the Laurentian Bank Flights are launched, from Monday through Thursday, in the afternoon.

About Laurentian Bank
Laurentian Bank of Canada is a pan-Canadian banking institution that has more than $34 billion in balance sheet assets and $36 billion in assets under administration. Founded in 1846, Laurentian Bank was selected in 2012 as one of the 10 winners of the Canada's Passion Capitalists program in recognition of its sustained success through the promotion of passion within its ranks. The Bank employs more than 4,200 people.

Recognized for its excellent service, proximity and simplicity, Laurentian Bank serves more than one million clients in market segments in which it holds an enviable position. In addition to occupying a choice position among consumers in Québec, where it operates the third largest branch network, the Bank has built a solid reputation across Canada in the area of real estate and commercial financing thanks to its teams working out of more than 35 offices in Ontario, Québec, Alberta and British Columbia. Its subsidiary, B2B Bank, is a Canadian leader in providing banking products as well as investment accounts and services to financial advisors and brokers, while Laurentian Bank Securities is an integrated broker, widely recognized for its expertise and effectiveness nationwide.

SOURCE: Laurentian Bank of Canada

Mélissa St-Pierre
Public Relations and Sponsorships Advisor
514 284-4500, extension 3150
[email protected]