Employee programs include mentorship, development, and career building opportunities for Canada's younger workforce

TORONTO, May 5, 2015 /CNW/ - For the third consecutive year, CIBC (TSX: CM) (TSX: NYSE) has been recognized by Mediacorp Inc. as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People.

"This award acknowledges our programs that provide young Canadians with opportunities for professional and personal growth across the bank," says John Silverthorn, Senior Vice-President, Human Resources, CIBC. "From executive mentorship and networking to helping our employees build diverse career portfolios and skill sets, we know that investing in our team members translates into ensuring the best level of service for our clients."

Canada's Top Employers for Young People is an annual competition to find the nation's leaders in attracting and retaining younger employees. The editors of Mediacorp evaluate companies based on programs for young Canadians that include tuition assistance and co-op work, mentorship and training programs, and career management opportunities for quick advancement within the organization.

CIBC offers numerous development programs for current students and recent graduates across the bank, including the Graduates Matter Rotational Programs, the Commercial Banking Associate Program, and the Technology Leadership Associate Program. Mediacorp lauded the bank for developing GenNext at CIBC, a program designed to help develop leadership through providing community engagement opportunities for younger employees.

"As an MBA student looking for a summer internship and full-time employment, I was naturally anxious about what may lie ahead," says Patrick Szydlowski, an Associate in the Graduates Matter Rotational Program. "Fortunately, my recruitment experience with CIBC was extremely positive. Right from the start, I knew CIBC placed a high priority on investing in its employees. CIBC's consistent attention to my interests, development, and personal growth made it a no-brainer to accept a full-time position."

As part of our commitment to providing further access to education, CIBC has contributed more than $5 million in scholarships and bursaries over the last three years.

CIBC is also proud to be recognized as:

• One of Canada's Top 100 Employers, one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers, and one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by Mediacorp;
• One of the Best Workplaces in Canada by Great Place to Work® Institute;
• One of Canada's 50 Most Engaged Workplaces™ by Achievers;
• The strongest of the publicly traded major banks in Canada and North America by Bloomberg Markets magazine;
• One of the Top 10 Safest Banks in North America by Global Finance magazine;
• Best Consumer Internet Bank - Canada and Best Integrated Consumer Bank Site - North America by Global Finance magazine; and
• First in mobile banking functionality among Canada's Big Five Banks by Forrester Research.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units - Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking - CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Media Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

SOURCE Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce