Celebrating its diverse and inclusive workforce during 17th annual
    Diversity MonthTORONTO, June 4 /CNW/ - This week marks the beginning of CIBC's 17th
annual Diversity Month during which the bank's 40,000 employees will once
again be celebrating diversity across the organization. CIBC's commitment to
diversity is supported by an array of long-term initiatives that promote
diversity and equity across the workforce.
    "For more than two decades, we have made great achievements 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 promoting a diverse workforce that
reflects the communities we serve."
    CIBC's commitment to diversity resulted in the bank's selection - for the
second year in a row - as one of Canada's Best Employers of New Canadians for
2009. The award recognizes recipients for leading their peers in creating a
workplace that welcomes new Canadians and allows them to make the most of
their skills, education, and talents.Over the past year, CIBC also:

    -  Expanded the relationship with the YMCA, CIBC YMCA Access to
       Opportunity™, across the Greater Toronto Area and to Metropolitan
       Vancouver, providing newcomers with important advice, information and
       job skills they need to better access financial services and
       employment. 17 of the participants in the 2008 Toronto program have
       found employment with CIBC, and the hiring process for the graduates
       of the 2009 Vancouver program is now underway.

    -  Saw the first 18 graduates from the ReConnect™ program, which helps
       professional women re-establish their careers. CIBC committed over $1
       million over five years to the program.

    -  Sponsored for the 15th consecutive year the National Aboriginal
       Achievement Foundation Awards and continued to support the
       Foundation's post-secondary education bursary and scholarship program.
       Since 2000, CIBC has contributed $100,000 annually to help meet the
       financial needs of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students in their
       pursuit of excellence in all academic disciplines.

    -  Continued funding the CIBC Access Awards for Students with
       Disabilities through bursaries for post-secondary students. CIBC has
       contributed more than $150,000 over the past seven years to the awards
       program, and presented over 80 scholarships to deserving students
       during that time. Ten students received awards in 2008.

    -  Convened the third-annual National Employment Equity & Diversity
       Congress to review the bank's accomplishments and identify the key
       strategies going forward. Dr. Roberta Jamieson, President and CEO of
       the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, joined the congress
       and helped present 15 CIBC employees and teams with CIBC Diversity
       Awards for their efforts in championing diversity.CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our
employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities
through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of
employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee
commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run
for the Cure, the CIBC World Markets Children's Foundation and United Way, we
are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the
country. In 2008, CIBC group of companies contributed more than $36 million
worldwide to charitable and non-profit initiatives. Of this, more than $27
million was invested in Canada to support national, regional and local
organizations. To learn more, visit www.cibc.com/pas