Realignment of trailing commissions and reduction in management fees, a portfolio sub-advisor change and amendments to the risk rating of select funds announced

TORONTO, June 27, 2016 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) -- CIBC Asset Management Inc. today announced a number of changes across its mutual fund lineup.

Reductions in annual trailing commissions and management fees

CIBC Asset Management will implement reductions in annual trailing commissions and management fees across select series of its mutual fund lineup to achieve greater consistency across its product platform. The changes will be effective on September 1, 2016 for Renaissance Investments fund families and September 6, 2016 for CIBC Family of Funds.

For full details of the fee changes, please see the attached document.

"We are adjusting fees in order to offer a simpler and more consistent pricing approach for our clients and our advisor partners," says David Scandiffio, President of CIBC Asset Management. "With a number of pricing options to support advice for clients under various models, our commitment is to be flexible, competitive and consistent when it comes to the cost of owning actively managed investment solutions."

Portfolio sub-advisor change

Wasatch Advisors Inc. (Wasatch) has been appointed as portfolio sub-advisor for the Renaissance Global Small-Cap Fund, effective on or about August 1, 2016. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Wasatch  is a dedicated small-cap boutique with more than 30 years of history managing across the spectrum of micro and small-cap strategies.

Renaissance Global Small-Cap Fund is an underlying investment of Renaissance Optimal Global Equity Portfolio and Renaissance Optimal Global Equity Currency Neutral Portfolio.

Risk rating changes

Based on an annual review, the risk rating associated with five funds has been adjusted:

These risk rating changes will be reflected in an amendment to the Renaissance Investments family of funds and Axiom Portfolios Simplified Prospectus and in the renewal of the simplified prospectus of the CIBC Mutual Funds and CIBC Family of Managed Portfolios, which are both scheduled to be filed on or about June 29, 2016.

CIBC Asset Management follows a risk classification methodology based on the approach recommended by the Investment Funds Institute of Canada. Each fund's risk rating is reviewed on an annual basis, or when the fund undergoes a material change. No material changes have been made to the investment objectives, strategies or management of the affected funds.

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 Capital Markets – 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 on our corporate website at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre/.

About CIBC Asset Management

CIBC Asset Management, Inc. the asset management subsidiary of CIBC, provides a range of high-quality investment management services and solutions to retail and institutional investors. Offerings include: a comprehensive platform of mutual funds, strategic managed portfolio solutions, discretionary investment management services for high-net-worth individuals, and portfolio management for institutional clients. CIBC Asset Management is one of Canada's largest asset management firms, with over $110 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2016.                          

SOURCE CIBC World Markets

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2016/06/27/20160627_C1265_PDF_EN_722521.pdf