The industry super fund-backed Members Equity Bank has signed a three-year agreement to sponsor the Melbourne Storm rugby league team.
The bank will share the deal with industry fund Hostplus, an existing sponsor and one of Members Equity Bank's 37 shareholder funds.
"Members Equity Bank already shares Hostplus' philosophical ideals and values, such as low fees, no sales commissions and operating for the benefit of members," Members Equity Bank national manager advertising and sponsorship Paul Kelly said.
Members Equity Bank has sponsorship agreements with the Freemantle Dockers and the Moonee Valley racing stadium.
Kelly said the sponsorship of the Storm was a major deal that will increase brand awareness for the bank.
The bank's logo will be branded on the front of the footballer jerseys.
"Melbourne Storm and Members Equity Bank both strive for success in highly competitive fields. With a common value set, the partnership was an appropriate progression," he said.
According to sponsorship measurement company Repucom, the Storm's jersey generated the most media exposure of any team across all four codes in 2008, being worth $4.3 million.
About 50 per cent of people in Melbourne watched the 2008 grand final between the Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles, in which the Storm were defeated 40 to nil.
