Alliance Data Systems Corp. , a leading provider of transaction services, credit services and marketing services, today announced that its loyalty business, The Loyalty Group, which operates the Canadian AIR MILES(R) Reward Program, has signed a long-term exclusive agreement with BMO Bank of Montreal (TSX: BMO) and WestJet (TSX: WJA) to introduce and market a tri-branded MasterCard for personal and small business customers.
Under terms of the agreement, WestJet will now add its name to BMO Bank of Montreal's Mosaik MasterCard with the AIR MILES Reward Program option. The card will provide enhanced opportunities for consumers to earn AIR MILES reward miles while also bringing unique WestJet-related benefits to cardholders. BMO Bank of Montreal is also reviewing its existing lineup of AIR MILES reward options available with Mosaik MasterCard to enhance the benefits for its existing cardholders. Additional terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Concurrent with the signing of the tri-branded MasterCard agreement, Alliance Data announced BMO Bank of Montreal extended two previously announced Sponsor agreements related to its retail banking and MasterCard products. In addition, WestJet also signed long-term contract extensions to continue as a Sponsor and Reward supplier in the AIR MILES Reward Program.
The AIR MILES Reward Program is Canada's premier coalition loyalty program. More than 69 percent of Canadian households -- representing more than 15.4 million Canadians -- actively collect AIR MILES reward miles at more than 100 leading brand-name Sponsors representing over 12,000 retail and service locations across Canada. AIR MILES reward miles can be redeemed for more than 500 different rewards, such as movie passes, family attractions, CDs and DVDs, electronic merchandise, sports and recreation, travel and more.
Rob Pearce, president and chief executive officer, Personal and Commercial Client Group, BMO Bank of Montreal, emphasized the importance of the long-standing relationship BMO has enjoyed with The Loyalty Group and said that the opportunity to begin a close partnership with WestJet "gives the BMO Mosaik MasterCard an unmatched 'triple advantage' in the battle for cardholder loyalty. The value provided with this new offering, coupled with the strength of the these well-known brands, will ensure that BMO Mosaik MasterCard becomes the preferred credit card in the customer's wallet," he said.
Clive Beddoe, WestJet's president, chief executive officer and executive chairman, said, "We are very pleased to have joined forces with BMO, the largest MasterCard issuer in Canada, and with the AIR MILES Reward Program, Canada's premier coalition retail loyalty program, bringing together three very strong and highly recognized Canadian brands. We are confident this product will be extremely popular with Canadians and will provide them with even more incentive to fly WestJet."
"Teaming with BMO Bank of Montreal and WestJet to introduce this new product underscores our ability to further enhance and expand the AIR MILES Reward Program," said John Scullion, president and chief executive officer of Alliance Data's The Loyalty Group. "This new agreement is a testament to the success of our relationship with both BMO Bank of Montreal and WestJet, and demonstrates our commitment to providing Canadian collectors with innovative reward options."
About Alliance Data Systems
Based in Dallas, Alliance Data Systems is a leading provider of transaction services, credit services and marketing services. The company assists retail, petroleum, utility and financial services clients in managing the critical interactions between them and their customers. Alliance Data manages approximately 95 million consumer relationships for some of North America's most recognizable companies and operates and markets the largest coalition loyalty program in Canada. Alliance Data Systems employs approximately 7,500 associates at more than 20 locations in the United States and Canada. For more information about the company, visit its web site, www.alliancedatasystems.com.
About BMO Bank of Montreal
BMO Bank of Montreal is the Canadian retail arm of BMO Financial Group. Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group (NYSE: BMO; TSX) is a highly diversified North American financial services organization. It includes BMO Bank of Montreal, Chicago-based Harris Bank, a major Midwest financial services provider, BMO Nesbitt Burns, one of Canada's largest full-service investment firms, and Harris Nesbitt, BMO's U.S. investment banking operation.
About WestJet
WestJet serves the 24 Canadian cities of Victoria, Comox, Vancouver, Abbotsford/Fraser Valley, Prince George, Kelowna, Grande Prairie, Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Windsor, London, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Moncton, Halifax, Gander and St. John's. WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol WJA.
Alliance Data Systems' Safe Harbor Statement/Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act. Such statements may use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "predict," "project" and similar expressions as they relate to Alliance Data Systems or our management. When we make forward-looking statements, we are basing them on our management's beliefs and assumptions, using information currently available to us. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions including the risks discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we projected. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We have no intention, and disclaim any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise.
Alliance Data Systems Corp.