Bank of America Expands Official Sponsorship of Team USA Canoe and Kayak Leading into the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With the 2008 Beijing Games in sight, Bank of America today expanded its Official Team Sponsorship of USA Canoe and Kayak (USACK). As part of the expanded agreement, Bank of America has been designated the Official Bank of USACK and a presenting sponsor of major USACK events. These events include: the 2007 Sprint Team Trials in Chula Vista, CA; the 2007 Slalom Team Trials in Charlotte, NC; the 2007 Sprint National Championships in Seattle, WA; the 2007 Slalom National Championships in Deep Creek, MD; and two national championships in 2008.

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Bank of America first sponsored USACK in 2004, supporting the U.S. Canoe & Kayak Team that competed during the Olympic Summer Games in Athens, Greece. Bank of America is also the Official Bank Sponsor of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team.

"We're excited to begin a new partnership with Bank of America," said David Yarborough, Executive Director of USACK. "We have felt their support in the past through their relationship with the USOC, and our athletes are thrilled to be able to work directly with the bank as they continue their U.S. Olympic journey on the road to Beijing."

As part of its USACK sponsorship, Bank of America will have rights to the trademarks of the USACK logo as well as Bank of America logo presence on team uniforms. In addition, the sponsorship provides Bank of America with the opportunity to continue its commitment to the U.S. Olympic Team through programs such as fantasy camps, youth clinics for bank customers and associates and the Bank of America Hometown Hopefuls Program, the bank's signature hospitality program for the families of qualified U.S. Olympians who will be competing in Beijing.

"Bank of America's support of Olympic teams and programs enables athletes and their families to take advantage of everything the Games have to offer," said Ray Bednar, Global Sponsorship Marketing executive, Bank of America. "Through our expanded partnership with USACK, we hope to provide their team with the tools for success both here in the U.S. and at the Games in Beijing."

Bank of America is widely recognized as a major corporate supporter of the U.S. Olympic Team, helping to make it possible for the nation's best athletes to represent the United States in world-class competition. Bank of America's earliest known involvement with the U.S. Olympic Movement dates back to 1921, when the bank provided leadership and financing for the Los Angeles Coliseum, sight of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games. In 1992, Bank of America signed on as an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team that competed in Barcelona, Spain. The company has supported every U.S. Olympic Team since, including the American athletes who will compete in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

USA Canoe and Kayak

Created in 1987, USA Canoe/Kayak functions as the national governing body (NGB) for the Olympic disciplines of canoe and kayak racing. USA Canoe/Kayak is affiliated with the International Canoe Federation. A non-profit corporation recognized by the United States Olympic Committee, USACK is charged with the mission of developing, selecting, supporting and training those athletes who will successfully represent the United States in the Olympic Games, Pan Am Games, World Championships and other major international competitions. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, USACK has a professional administrative staff operating at its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a professional coaching staff located at training sites throughout the country.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk-management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving more than 56 million consumer and small business relationships with more than 5,700 retail banking offices, more than 17,000 ATMs and award-winning online banking with nearly 22 million active users. Bank of America is the No. 1 overall Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in the United States and the No. 1 SBA lender to minority-owned small businesses. The company serves clients in 175 countries and has relationships with 98 percent of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and 80 percent of the Fortune Global 500. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

http://www.bankofamerica.com/