CIBC employees across Canada celebrated their diversity throughout June
    with more than 150 events and activities

    TORONTO, June 27 /CNW/ - As Canadians celebrate diversity and our
national commitment to democracy, equality and mutual respect on Canadian
Multiculturalism Day, 40,000 CIBC employees across the country are capping the
bank's 16th annual Diversity Month. Throughout June, CIBC has held more than
150 events and activities - from discussion forums to pot luck lunches and
receptions - to recognize, embrace and celebrate the richness of diversity in
the bank.
    This 16th annual Diversity Month was kicked-off in Toronto with more than
800 employees celebrating CIBC's InterCultural Mosaic, featuring performers,
foods and vendors from around the world. Events continued with the CIBC
Aboriginal Employee Circle welcoming more than 100 guests to National
Aboriginal Day celebrations. In what was the largest event of the month, CIBC
hosted its second Diversity Day at Canada's Wonderland with more than 10,000
employees, friends and family members enjoying music and festivities from
around the globe.
    "Once again CIBC employees have demonstrated their support and commitment
to diversity at CIBC," said Richard Venn, Senior Executive Vice-President,
Corporate Development and CIBC Diversity Champion. "It's my privilege to be
associated with an organization and colleagues that take a leadership role in
creating a fair and equitable workplace and contributing to the communities
where we live and do business."
    More recently, CIBC's commitment to supporting Canada's diverse
communities led to a partnership with the YMCA of Greater Toronto to provide
newcomers with important advice, information and skills they need to better
access the many opportunities of their new country. The new CIBC YMCA Access
to Opportunity™ program provides financial literacy seminars as well as a
free six-week job skills development program designed to connect qualified
newcomers to employment at CIBC and in the financial services sector.
    Becoming familiar with financial services and banking is just one of the
many basic challenges faced by the 250,000 people who come to this country
each year. This partnership continues our 140-year history of helping
Canadians settle in this country, and is one that all CIBC employees can be
proud of.

    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.