VANCOUVER, Dec. 18 /CNW/ - CIBC (CM: TSX; NYSE) - CIBC announced today that its employees raised more than $3.5 million for children's charities in Canada on CIBC Miracle Day, December 2, 2009.

Every year since 1984, on the first Wednesday in December, CIBC wholesale banking sales and trading staff and CIBC Wood Gundy investment advisors have donated their fees and commissions to support children in need across the country. In the past 25 years, Miracle Day has raised more than $55 million in Canada. Last year, more than $3.1 million was raised.

"Once again our employees and clients stepped up to support children across the country," says Richard Nesbitt, Chairman and CEO, CIBC World Markets Inc. "By trading with us on Miracle Day our clients made sure that thousands of children in Canada will have a brighter 2010. This demonstrates how important children's charities are not only to our employees but to our clients.

"I'm proud that at a time when many charities are facing concerns over donation levels, we were able to raise over $3.5 million for hundreds of children's charities. This money will support health research; emergency shelters; counselling; education and recreational opportunities; meal programs; and specialized programs for children in need."

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 Children's Foundation and United Way, we are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In 2009, almost $27 million was contributed through the CIBC group of companies to charitable and non-profit initiatives in Canada, supporting a wide variety of national, regional and local organizations. To learn more, visit www.communitymatters.cibc.com.