CIBC says "Thank You" to clients by making a difference in their communities

TORONTO, Nov. 5 /CNW/ - Today CIBC is hosting Client Appreciation Day celebrations at its more than 1,070 branches across the country to thank clients for their business and loyalty. To mark the special occasion, every CIBC branch is presenting a $1,000 donation today to their local United Way. This represents a total donation of $1.1 million to more than 100 United Ways across Canada.

The theme for the day is 'Together we're making a difference in our community' to reflect the importance CIBC places on helping Canadian communities continue to be great places to live and work through ongoing support of organizations and causes that matter to clients, employees and neighbours.

"At CIBC, we are committed to making a difference in our communities," said Gerry McCaughey, President and Chief Executive Officer of CIBC. "The United Way touches so many lives across the country. CIBC Client Appreciation Day is our way of saying "Thank You" to our clients and giving back to the communities where our more than 40,000 employees live and work."

To celebrate client appreciation day, each CIBC branch will feature refreshments and an exciting contest for clients with a chance to win a $500 charitable donation from CIBC to a qualified registered charity. In most branches, local organizations that benefit from United Way funding, such as chapters of the YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, CNIB, Canadian Mental Health Association and the Canadian Association of Community Living, will be on hand to accept the donations on behalf of their local United Way.

"CIBC is a long-standing and significant supporter of United Ways and Centraides across Canada," said Al Hatton, President and CEO, United Way of Canada -- Centraide Canada. "The contributions CIBC and its employees are making to local United Ways and Centraides across the country are very important to us, and are making a real difference to improving lives for everyone in our communities."

In 2009, CIBC and its employees and retirees donated $7.3 million to United Ways across Canada.

About CIBC
CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, employees and our communities. In 2009, $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.

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.