Atlantic Trust recognized as a top U.S. wealth management firm

Firm ranked No. 1 for making clients feel special across the full customer experience, according to Luxury Institute survey

ATLANTA, July 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Atlantic Trust, the U.S. private wealth management division of CIBC (NYSE: CM) (TSX: CM), is pleased to announce it has been recognized as one of the top U.S. wealth management firms in the 2014 Luxury Brand Status Index™ (LBSI) Wealth Management survey.

"We are very pleased that our dedication to serving as a trusted advisor to our clients and their families is being recognized by this independent research," said Jack Markwalter, chairman and CEO of Atlantic Trust. "Atlantic Trust is committed to providing investment excellence along with the highest quality client experience."

Atlantic Trust received the second-highest luxury brand ranking among 39 wealth management firms in the U.S., according to a survey of investors with an average net worth of $15 million and an annual average income of $800,000 by the Luxury Institute, a New York-based research firm. Investors were asked to evaluate the firms on four LBSI components: quality, exclusivity, social status of clients and the ability to make clients feel special across the full customer experience. Each firm was assigned a score based on the responses.

Atlantic Trust ranked No. 1 for making its clients feel special across the full customer experience and rated near the top for delivering superior quality products and services consistently, being truly unique and exclusive, and having clients who are admired and respected.

Atlantic Trust also ranked as the firm that the ultra-wealthy are most willing to recommend to friends, family and people they care about.

The Luxury Institute's ranking of Atlantic Trust as a leading U.S. wealth management firm is further validated by the firm's strong client retention, steady inflow of assets from existing and new client relationships, and the addition of senior talent across the country.

About Atlantic Trust

Atlantic Trust is one of the nation's leading private wealth management firms, offering integrated wealth management for high net worth individuals, families, foundations and endowments. The firm considers clients' financial, trust, estate planning and philanthropic needs in developing customized asset allocation and investment management strategies. Experienced professionals deliver a broad range of solutions, including proprietary investment offerings and a robust open architecture platform of traditional and alternative managers. Atlantic Trust operates in 12 full-service locations throughout the U.S. with $25.4 billion in assets under management (as of June 30, 2014). For more information, visit www.atlantictrust.com.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution. Through our Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking businesses, CIBC provides a full range of financial products to individual, small business, commercial, corporate and institutional clients in Canada and around the world. CIBC owns a 41 percent equity interest in American Century Investments®, a major U.S. asset management company, serving financial intermediaries, institutions and individuals, and acquired Atlantic Trust, a premier U.S. private wealth management firm, in January 2014. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Media Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

SOURCE: Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management

Media inquiries: Caroline Van Hasselt, Director, CIBC External Communications and Media Relations, [phone], [email protected] or Carolyn Donnelly, Atlantic Trust Director of Marketing, [phone], [email protected].