CWB recognized as a Chartered Accountant Training Office in Alberta

EDMONTON, June 24 /CNW/ - Canadian Western Bank (CWB or 'the Bank') is pleased to announce that it is now recognized as a Chartered Accountant Training Office (CATO) in the province of Alberta. In co-operation with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta (ICAA), CWB can now offer future Chartered Accountants (CA's) hands-on training in the financial institution industry.

"This recognition gives us an opportunity to train CA's who, upon completion, will be familiar with both our operations and the particulars of our industry," says Carolyn Graham, CWB Senior Vice President & Chief Accountant, who is also the Training Principal for CWB's CATO Program. "The CATO program provides CA students with exposure to a wide-range of business areas beyond the traditional realm of audit and assurance. It also offers a cost-effective way to hire CA's who will already have the knowledge and experience to step into a more senior role at the Bank."

CWB strives to recruit and develop high quality professionals who fit with our culture and share our unique approach to doing business. Our participation in training programs like CATO helps us identify and support the Bank's future leaders. The CATO program is also aligned with CWB's commitment to develop lifetime careers. CWB is currently one of only seven corporations in Alberta approved as a CATO.

About Canadian Western Bank Group

Canadian Western Bank offers a full range of business and personal banking services across the four western provinces and is the largest Canadian owned bank headquartered in Western Canada. The Bank, along with its operating subsidiaries, Canadian Western Trust Company, Valiant Trust Company, Canadian Direct Insurance Incorporated, National Leasing Group 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: Carolyn Graham, CA, Senior Vice President & Chief Accountant, Canadian Western Bank, Phone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; or Kirby Hill, CFA, Director, Investor & Public Relations, External Communications, Canadian Western Bank, Phone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]