Inclusive culture and diverse workforce key contributors to bank's bottom line

TORONTO, March 31, 2015 /CNW/ - For the fifth consecutive year, CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) was named one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for having a work culture pillared on values of inclusion and respect and one that embraces the unique attributes of its individual team members.

"A key driver of our success in maintaining a competitive edge in the marketplace is having a team that reflects the diversity of our clients," says Laura Dottori-Attanasio, CIBC's Chief Risk Officer and Diversity & Inclusion Executive Champion. "The bottom line is that we are stronger because of the diversity of ideas and experiences that each individual brings to the table."

The editors of Mediacorp Inc. recognized CIBC for fostering an inclusive employee culture that leverages diversity of thought and experience. Among CIBC's many initiatives, Mediacorp lauded the bank for launching "Hot Docs Diversity Dialogues", a new documentary series aimed at shedding light on topics that can be challenging to talk about in the workplace. This year, team members were invited to view the movies and participate in a post-screening panel discussion to engage in conversations about multi-racial identity and mental health.

Mediacorp has also recognized CIBC as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers and a Top Employer for Young People.

CIBC's other recent recognitions include being named:

• The strongest of the publicly traded major banks in Canada and North America by Bloomberg Markets magazine;
• Among the Top 10 Safest Banks in North America by Global Finance magazine;
• Best Consumer Internet Bank - Canada and Best Integrated Consumer Bank Site - North America by Global Finance magazine;
• Top Canadian Bank for Mobile Banking by Forrester; and
• One of Canada's 50 Most Engaged Workplaces™ by Achievers

This year's winners are being announced today in a special supplement in The Globe and Mail.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units - Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking - CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Media Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

SOURCE CIBC