Canadian Western Bank donates over $177,000 to local children's charities
from its The Greater Interest GIC(R) campaign

EDMONTON, Dec. 31 /CNW/ - Canadian Western Bank ("CWB" or "the Bank"), thanks to the ongoing support of its customers, is pleased to have donated $177,953.56 to youth and children's charities across Western Canada as a result of its The Greater Interest GIC(R) campaign.

"The Greater Interest GIC(R) is a unique investment that delivers two distinct returns," says Peter Morrison, CWB's Vice President of Marketing and Product Development. "The first return is for our customers who get a competitive rate on their guaranteed investment certificates (GIC). The second return benefits local youth and children's charities who receive a donation from CWB based on the total amount of deposits raised."

Between September 1, 2010 and October 31, 2010, based on every dollar CWB clients invested in The Greater Interest GIC(R), CWB gave the equivalent of 1/8 of a per cent to a charity located in the community where the deposits were raised. The donation benefited local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters across Western Canada and, in Edmonton and the surrounding area, the Youth Emergency Shelter Society.

"As a charitable, not-for-profit organization, we continued to face challenges in 2010 while attempting to raise funds for our mentoring programs and services," said Lorna Carlson, Director of Development and Communications, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Calgary and Area. "The Greater Interest GIC(R) campaign generated a significant donation to help us and other children's charities make a positive change for Canada's youth."

About Canadian Western Bank Group

Canadian Western Bank offers highly personalized service through 39 branch locations and is the largest publicly traded Canadian bank with a regional focus in Western Canada. The Bank specializes in mid-market commercial lending and offers a full complement of personal banking services. The Bank, along with its operating subsidiaries, National Leasing Group Inc., Canadian Western Trust Company, Valiant Trust Company, Canadian Direct Insurance Inc., Adroit Investment Management Ltd. and Canadian Western Financial Ltd., collectively offer a diversified range of financial services across Canada and are together known as Canadian Western Bank Group. The common shares of Canadian Western Bank are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "CWB". Refer to www.cwbankgroup.com for additional information.

For further information: Peter Morrison, Vice President, Marketing and Product Development, Canadian Western Bank, Phone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Kirby Hill, CFA, Director, Investor & Public Relations, Canadian Western Bank, Phone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]