TORONTO, June 2 /CNW/ - Today marks the beginning of CIBC's 16th annual
Diversity Month during which its 40,000 employees celebrate the increasing
representation, participation and advancement of employees from groups which
have historically faced barriers in employment.
    "We are proud of the achievements we have made at CIBC over the past two
decades in creating and fostering a fair and inclusive work environment where
all employees can reach their full potential," said Richard Venn, Senior
Executive Vice-President of Corporate Development and CIBC's Diversity
Champion. "We are committed to building on our successes and building a
diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve."
    Throughout the month of June, employees from across the country will
celebrate diversity at more than 150 events and celebrations, including
cultural performances, pot lucks, receptions and speeches given to raise
awareness of diversity. Eight affinity groups will be actively involved in
many of these events and will continue to focus throughout the year on
providing avenues for professional networking, mentoring and
awareness-raising. CIBC's affinity groups link together employees and their
supporters from varying backgrounds.
    Over the past year, some of CIBC's diversity highlights include:-   Being recognized as one of Canada's "Top Employers for Workplace
        Diversity" by Canadian Immigrant Magazine, which acknowledged CIBC's
        lengthy record on diversity and employment equity and for its
        inclusive work environment.

    -   Being selected as one of Canada's "Best Employers for New Canadians
        for 2008" for leading its peers in creating a workplace that welcomes
        new Canadians and allows them to make the most of their skills,
        education and talents. The winners were selected by the editors of
        Canada's Top 100 Employers and the Toronto Region Immigrant
        Employment Council (TRIEC).

    -   Building on our workplace diversity, CIBC has enhanced its Newcomers
        to Canada page on our web site where new immigrants can find
        information on careers with CIBC. We have also hired more than 20
        individuals from diverse backgrounds over the past year through a
        unique internship program for newcomers through Career Bridge, and
        CIBC's Career Access Program™ that provides job readiness training
        to Aboriginal peoples and people with disabilities.

    -   CIBC was also the first Canadian organization to integrate Skills
        International, a web-based database of pre-screened, internationally
        trained individuals, into the recruiting process to assist new
        Canadians in finding gainful employment.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.