Scotiabank has partnered with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) in a multi-year deal to become the first-ever official bank of the PWHL.
As part of the agreement, a co-branded “PWHL Finals Presented by Scotiabank” logo will feature in the promotion of the five-game series. This logo will be visible across the league’s social media, during broadcasts and in arenas throughout the finals.
The agreement builds on Scotiabank’s legacy as a leader in advancing women’s hockey and gender equity in the sport.
Laura Curtis Ferrera, Chief Marketing Officer at Scotiabank, commented: “Seeing the outpouring of passion from fans across the country since the PWHL held its first official game has been nothing short of inspiring.
“At Scotiabank we’re committed to breaking down barriers to ensure hockey can be everyone’s game and supporting the PWHL is critical to this mission. The formation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is truly an integral moment in Canada’s history and we’re proud to be part of it.”
Since 2006, Scotiabank has hosted its Girls HockeyFest, a free on-and-off-ice programme, which has enriched the hockey experience for over 18,500 girls across nine Canadian cities.
In 2008, Scotiabank began sponsoring the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL), a six-team league established by players, volunteers and business stakeholders. The bank also became the official bank of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) in 2020.
Additionally, in 2021, Scotiabank introduced the “Hockey for All” initiative, dedicated to effecting positive changes in the sport. Since its inception, the “Hockey for All” initiative has impacted over 540,000 youth across Canada.
Starting next season, the PWHL and Scotiabank will collaborate to introduce improved integrations and programmes for fans, players and community groups. The pair will focus on enhancing access and opportunities for youth in hockey.
Amy Scheer, Senior Vice President of Business Operations at PWHL, said: “Welcoming Scotiabank as our first official banking partner is a landmark moment for our league and will greatly enhance our ability to grow our fanbase and increase hockey participation at the youth level. Scotiabank’s deep-rooted commitment to women’s hockey makes them the ideal presenting partner for our inaugural PWHL Finals.”
The intersection between sports and payments continues to shine. This year, Visa has forged partnerships with several organisations such as the US football club Inter Miami.