Guests can enter to win a signed and framed Linden jersey or 40" Sony LCD HDMI TV; donation to Lions Gate Hospital Foundation to mark occasion

NORTH VANCOUVER, Dec. 11 /CNW/ - Tomorrow, Canadian hockey legend Trevor Linden will help celebrate the grand opening of CIBC's new Capilano Square Banking Centre, the first bank branch in North Vancouver to offer the convenience of seven-day banking. The new 6,600 square-foot branch located at the intersection of Marine Drive and Hanes Avenue offers clients service and advice in English, Farsi, Mandarin, Hindi, Urdu and Gujarati.

Fans at the event can meet Linden and receive an autographed photo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and can enter to win a signed and framed Linden jersey or a 40" Sony BRAVIA LCD HDMI TV. There will also be a variety of fun activities for families including a caricaturist, face painter, balloon artist and arts and crafts zone for kids as well as snacks and refreshments.

"We hear from our clients how much they enjoy the convenience of being able to bank and get professional financial advice any day of the week," said Mike Stevenson, CIBC's Senior Vice-President of Retail Markets for Western Canada. "That's why we're so thrilled to expand in North Vancouver, offering even greater flexibility and choice for our busy clients."

The hours of operation are:

    Monday - Wednesday:   9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Thursday - Friday:    9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
    Saturday:             9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Sunday:               noon - 4 p.m.

To mark the occasion CIBC will make a $5000 donation to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation's capital campaign for new hospital equipment to fund the purchase of a new Defibrillator.

"We are very grateful for the contribution from CIBC towards an urgently needed Defibrillator. This piece of equipment is essential in responding to patients in cardiac arrest and requiring advanced cardiac life support," said Judy Savage, President, Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. "CIBC is a generous supporter of Lions Gate Hospital Foundation and we are proud to partner with them."

The CIBC Capilano Square Banking Centre is fully accessible, including three Automated Banking Machines (ABMs) installed at wheelchair accessible height with headphone jacks for audio access; grab bars for mobility assistance; and brighter lighting.

With more than 1069 branches, CIBC has one of the largest branch networks in Canada. In addition to CIBC's convenient longer hours, including evenings and Saturdays at many of its branches and Sunday hours in select urban branches like this one, CIBC clients also benefit from access to more than 3,800 ABMs, and 24/7 service over the phone and on Canada's leading online banking site, www.cibc.com.

CIBC (CM: TSX;NYSE) 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, and has offices 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.