Chantal Thériault Wins the André-Bérard Award - Volunteerism of Three Other National Bank Employees Also Acknowledged

MONTREAL, May 10, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - National Bank proudly recognized the social commitment and involvement of its current and retired employees at its Annual Meeting of Employees, held on April 30 in Montreal. Chantal Thériault, from New Brunswick, received the André-Bérard Award, which recognized annually an exceptional volunteer. The prize also includes a donation of $5,000, which Ms. Thériault will be giving to the Fondation Saint-Louis-Maillet, the organization that she has been supporting for 10 years.

"I am incredibly honoured to accept this year's André-Bérard Award. Volunteering your time and energy for a cause is its own reward. The organization I support will be using this donation to reward the region's hard-working university students. Investing in our young people and their education is vital to prepare the next generation of leaders to take on the challenges of tomorrow," stated Ms. Thériault.

Among the finalists, retired employee Claude Allaire received an honourable mention from the jury and a donation of $2,000 for the Carrefour Dignité Saint-Jean, where he has volunteered for 23 years.

"Our current and retired employees play a front-line role in their respective communities across Canada, and 10 years ago, we set up the Our hearts are with you program to recognize their dedication. On behalf of the management of National Bank, I would like to congratulate our 2012-2013 award winners, as well as all the other committed volunteers who put in so many hours for a good cause," said Louis Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Bank, during the Annual Meeting of Employees.

2012-2013 winners:

André-Bérard Award - $5,000

Chantal Thériault, Branch Manager, Edmundston, New Brunswick
Recognized for her volunteering with various organizations, Ms. Thériault uses her expertise in administration and finance to benefit her community. An active member of the Fondation Saint-Louis-Maillet for 10 years, she was recently named Chair of its board of directors. The goal of the foundation is to contribute to the development of the Edmundston campus of the Université de Moncton by offering scholarships to area students and provide financing for strategic projects supported by the university.

Honourable mention - $2,000

Claude Allaire, retired employee
Mr. Allaire has volunteered for 23 years with the Carrefour Dignité Saint-Jean, an organization that helps low-income residents in Quebec's Haut-Richelieu region, and has made the most of his passion and knack for numbers by co-founding an income tax clinic. As his role with the organization is to ensure that the clinic runs smoothly, Mr. Allaire recruits, trains and oversees the volunteers involved in preparing income tax returns.

André-Bérard Award finalists - $1,000

Léo Godin, retiree, has been a volunteer with the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus, New Brunswick for 14 years;

Gérald Melanson, Branch Manager, Shédiac, New Brunswick, has been a volunteer with the Shédiac Rotary Club for 10 years.

The André-Bérard Award, named in honour of a former National Bank President known for his community involvement, recognizes employees and retirees who have made a significant contribution through their volunteer activities. It is part of the "Our hearts are with you" recognition program, which supports employee volunteer activities, rewards their efforts, and enhances the impact of their actions with financial contributions to the organizations that are near and dear to their hearts.

Each year, National Bank supports hundreds of Canadian organizations through donations and sponsorships. It is particularly committed to young people through its One for Youth program, ensuring they are healthy and have the tools they need to become engaged citizens committed to building a better world. To learn more about the initiatives supported by the Bank and its employees, visit youth.nationalbank.ca.

About National Bank of Canada
With $184 billion in assets as at January 31, 2013, National Bank of Canada (www.nbc.ca), together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups, and was named among the 20 strongest banks in the world by Bloomberg Markets. The Bank has close to 20,000 employees and is widely recognized as a top employer. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank's activities via social media and learn more about its extensive community involvement at clearfacts.ca and commitment.nationalbank.ca.

Image with caption: "From left to right: Louis Vachon, National Bank's President and Chief Executive Officer; Karen Leggett, Executive Vice-President - Marketing; Gérald Melanson, Branch Manager, Shédiac; Chantal Thériault, Branch Manager, Edmundston; Claude Allaire, retired employee; Léo Godin, retired employee and André Bérard, National Bank's former President who inspired the Award. (CNW Group/National Bank of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130510_C5768_PHOTO_EN_26604.jpg

Image with caption: "Chantal Thériault received the André-Bérard Award for 2012-2013, the highest honour in National Bank's employee and retired employee volunteer program. From left to right: Louis Vachon, National Bank's President and Chief Executive Officer, André Bérard, National Bank's former President who inspired the Award, and Chantal Thériault, Branch Manager, Edmundston. (CNW Group/National Bank of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130510_C5768_PHOTO_EN_26602.jpg

SOURCE: National Bank of Canada

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