• BMO presents donation of $25,000 in support of the Woodstock Soccer Club
• Local political leaders, alongside members of the Woodstock Soccer Academy, to celebrate with BMO
• BMO Economics says Woodstock showing signs of growth as recession improves

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WOODSTOCK, ON, July 30, 2009 – BMO Bank of Montreal is celebrating its 125^th anniversary in Woodstock by donating $25,000 to the Woodstock Soccer Club. The donation will go towards supporting the club’s new outdoor soccer fields at Cowan Park.

“This is an incredible milestone for the Woodstock branch and we are very excited to share this success with our customers and friends,” said Susan Brown, Senior Vice President for BMO Bank of Montreal, Ontario Regional Division. “In the past, BMO has been a proud supporter of numerous local charities and clubs within the Woodstock area, so we are very excited to announce our sponsorship of the Woodstock Soccer Club.”

WHO:

• Ernie Hardeman, MPP, Oxford
• Michael Harding, Mayor of Woodstock
• Paul Holbrough, Warden of Oxford County
• David Blyth, Vice President, London District, BMO
• Ted Beynen, Steve Hunt, and Joe Odumodu from the Woodstock Soccer Club
• Eloi Gunn and members of the Woodstock Soccer Academy

WHAT:

125^th BMO anniversary celebration

• Presentation of $25,000 Donation to the Woodstock Soccer Club
• Cake and refreshments
• BMO the Bear
• Prizes including AIR MILES reward miles giveaway

WHEN:

Friday, July 31^st from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Official celebration and speeches from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:

BMO Bank of Montreal
Woodstock Main Office
534 Dundas Street
Woodstock, ON

“BMO is proud to have been a part of the Woodstock community for the last 125 years, said Jennifer Jimbere, Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal. “Our team of highly qualified professionals is dedicated to ‘making money make sense’ and providing our customers with the clarity they need to make the financial decisions that suit them.”

“As the North American economy recovers from recession, business conditions in the Woodstock area are poised to improve,” said Michael Gregory, Senior Economist, BMO Bank of Montreal. “Activity at the anchor Toyota assembly plant and at other firms in the automotive industry should pick up, with vehicle sales now driving up from their lows. Meantime, the agricultural and food-processing sectors have acted as stabilizing forces during the downturn, and should remain buoyant amid a favourable pricing environment,” he added.

BMO in Woodstock
BMO Bank of Montreal has played an active role in the Woodstock community since it first established the Woodstock branch in 1884. Most recently, BMO has donated $50,000 to the Woodstock Hospital Foundation, has been involved with Shelter from the Storm, a national fundraising and awareness campaign to stop violence against women, as well as The Kids Help Phone.

Since its beginning in 1817, BMO Financial Group has become one of Canada’s top corporate donors. BMO strongly believes in community reinvestment as well as corporate and social responsibility in the communities it serves. BMO also supports soccer from the grass roots up with sponsorships of over 400 youth soccer teams across Canada, sponsorship of Toronto FC and BMO Field, as well as becoming the official bank of the Canadian Soccer Association in May, 2007.

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