CIBC donates $150,000 to YMCA of Greater Vancouver to mark seven-day,
    full-service banking - a first for downtown Vancouver

    VANCOUVER, March 15 /CNW/ - Today, CIBC celebrates the grand opening of
its new 3,500 square-foot full-service branch at the northeast corner of
Helmcken and Homer Streets in Yaletown. The new Yaletown branch is open seven
days a week - a first for downtown Vancouver.
    "CIBC's newest location in Yaletown offers our downtown clients greater
flexibility, access and choice," said Wendy Slavin, Senior Vice-President of
Western Canada, CIBC Retail Markets. "The investment CIBC is making in
Yaletown demonstrates our commitment to meeting the financial needs of this
vibrant and growing community."
    "The Yaletown branch places CIBC close to where our clients live, work
and shop," adds Slavin. It features extended hours and two Automated Banking
Machines (ABMs), offering a convenient option for the area's rapidly expanding
residential population.The hours of operation are:

    Monday - Wednesday:   9:30 am - 4:00 pm
    Thursday - Friday:    9:30 am - 7:00 pm
    Saturday:             9:30 am - 4:00 pm
    Sunday:               12:00 pm - 4:00 pmLocated within the historic warehouse district, the Yaletown branch
offers the latest of modern conveniences, while preserving the character and
historic elements of the restored warehouse, including original exposed
brickwork, posts and beams.
    The branch is part of CIBC's strategic plan to build, relocate and expand
over 70 branches over the next five years.
    CIBC clients also benefit from access to more than 3,800 automated bank
machines, 24/7 service over the phone and on Canada's leading online banking
site, www.cibc.com.
    To mark the grand opening, CIBC is donating $150,000 to the YMCA of
Greater Vancouver's capital campaign for a new Centre for Reflection in the
new YMCA facilities at the corner of Burrard and Barclay. The Centre for
Reflection is designed as a quiet space for reflective thinking, private
conversation and a physical reminder of the importance of a holistic approach
to health.
    CIBC's roots in Vancouver go back over 120 years to when the Bank of
British Columbia opened its first office in the city in September 1886. The
Bank of BC was later acquired by The Commerce in 1901. The bank shared office
space with the Canadian Pacific Railway, which also opened its offices in
1886. When the railway moved its machinery and employees from Yale in the
Fraser River canyon to False Creek's north shore in the 1880s, Yaletown was
born.

    CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with nearly
11 million personal banking and business clients. CIBC offers a full range of
products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network,
branches and offices across Canada, in the United States and around the world.
You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Press
Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.