Clients and community invited to Open House from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at CIBC Barrington and Duke branch

HALIFAX, Sept. 1 /CNW/ - Today, CIBC is celebrating its 185^th anniversary in Halifax with an Open House at the Barrington and Duke branch. CIBC branch manager Kathy MacFadyen and her staff are hosting clients and the community from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. where guests will be treated to anniversary cake and refreshments, giveaways and an array of historic photos from years gone by.

Established several decades before the Confederation of Canada, the branch was the very first opened by the Halifax Banking Company on September 3, 1825. Since then, the Barrington and Duke branch has seen many transformations over its long history. It was eventually acquired by The Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1903, becoming CIBC in 1961.

"For 185 years we have been helping our clients in Halifax meet their financial needs and achieve what matters to them," said Sylvain Vinet, Senior Vice-President of CIBC Retail Markets for Eastern Canada. "Recognizing that every client is unique, we are proud of our advice and customized solutions that are tailored to meet our clients' individual goals."

Sarah Dennis, President and CEO of The Halifax Herald Limited, publisher of The Chronicle Herald and The Sunday Herald, congratulated CIBC on the milestone. "For nearly a century and through three generations of my family, The Halifax Herald Limited has enjoyed a strong relationship with CIBC as a long-standing client of the Barrington and Duke branch. We wish the branch staff our very best on reaching this significant anniversary in providing financial services and advice to local businesses like ours."

Over the course of its lengthy history in Halifax, CIBC has also made a difference by supporting a wide range of community-based organizations. In the past three years alone, the bank has contributed $650,000 to organizations such as the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre Foundation, capital campaigns for local universities and colleges, the YMCA and The Salvation Army, among others.

"At CIBC, we are committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients,our employees and our communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of our employees," Vinet added. "We're proud to celebrate our contributions to the community over the years."   

Branch history

In September 1825, the Halifax Banking Company was established by local businessman Enos Collins and seven other prominent Haligonians who conducted business out of a warehouse on Privateers Wharf on Water Street.

After it was granted a charter in 1872, the Halifax Banking Company expanded throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. By the time the bank was acquired by The Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1903, it had 16 branches outside Halifax. 

The Commerce's acquisition of the Halifax Banking Company marked its entry into the Maritime provinces. It soon began construction on a grand new regional head office and main branch. Construction of this building began in 1906. The Commerce moved from Mr. Collins' old stone warehouse into its new home at George and Granville Streets in the spring of 1908.

In September of 1949 the Imperial Bank of Canada, CIBC's other founding bank, opened its first Maritime branch in Halifax at 110 Granville Street - just opposite The Canadian Bank of Commerce. After the merger of The Commerce and Imperial in 1961, plans were made to consolidate the business of the two branches and business from the Imperial branch was absorbed into the larger Commerce branch in April 1962.

In 1975 CIBC announced plans to build a new Atlantic regional office and Halifax main branch. The new tower, our current office at 1809 Barrington Street, was completed two years later. At its grand opening, CIBC's Chairman and CEO Russell Harrison explained that the tower symbolized the bank's faith in the future of the Maritime provinces.  

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. 

Please note: A range of historical photos are available upon request