-   Meet *SpongeBob SquarePants™ and Calgary Flames mascot
        Harvey the Hound Dog
    -   Enter to win great prizes like a Sony Bravia 46" LCD TV or a
        $1,000 GIC

CALGARY, Oct. 15 /CNW/ - This Sunday, October 17th, CIBC will celebrate the grand opening of its new seven-day CIBC Beacon Heights Banking Centre with fun activities and entertainment for families from noon to 4:00 p.m. The 7,000 square-foot branch, located near the intersection of Sarcee Trail and Stoney Trail in north Calgary, offers clients service in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi.

Kids at the event can have their photo taken with *SpongeBob SquarePants™ and Calgary Flames mascot Harvey the Hound Dog and guests can enter to win great prizes like a Sony Bravia 46" LCD TV or a $1,000 GIC. Families can also enjoy fun activities including a DJ, a face painter, carnival games, arts and crafts, a spin wheel for prizes and a barbecue, snacks and refreshments.

"We're proud to celebrate our long-term investment in this vibrant part of north Calgary with our clients and the community," said Mike Stevenson, CIBC's Senior Vice-President of Retail Markets for Western Canada. "We know our clients enjoy the convenience of being able to bank and get financial advice seven days a week and this spacious new branch will provide them with added flexibility in their banking."

The branch hours of operation are:

Monday - Wednesday:      9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Thursday - Friday:       9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
    Saturday:                9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    Sunday:                  noon - 4:00 p.m.

The new full-service branch is barrier free with accessibility features such as sit down teller stations and two Automated Banking Machines (ABMs) installed at wheelchair accessible height with headphone jacks for audio access and grab bars for mobility assistance. The branch also offers a drive-thru ABM for added convenience.

CIBC has one of the largest branch networks in Canada, including 29 branches in Calgary. CIBC clients also benefit from access to more than 3,800 automated bank machines, and 24/7 service by phone, online and through mobile banking.

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.

*Costumed character ©2010 Viacom