Laurentian Bank's President and CEO, Réjean Robitaille, places 1st among the
Québec financial industry's Top 25

MONTREAL , Feb. 12 /CNW Telbec/ - Mr. Réjean Robitaille, President and Chief Executive Officer of Laurentian Bank, has ranked 1st among the most influential people within Québec's financial sector. Last year, Mr. Robitaille was ranked second on the same list, which is sanctioned and published by Finance et Investissement Magazine.

Under Mr. Robitaille 's direction, Laurentian Bank's earnings per share rose by 21% from 2007 to 2009 despite the difficult economic context. The Bank posted record profits year after year over the course of the past three fiscal years. Moreover, it was the sole bank to have recorded an increase in earnings per share during each of the past five years. These results are the product of an effective business plan, the unequivocal commitment of Laurentian Bank employees, and the able leadership of Mr. Robitaille and his management team.

The Bank's President and CEO emphasizes that all of his colleagues are deserving of the honour bestowed upon him. "I am delighted about this recognition because it attests to the concerted efforts of each and every one of Laurentian Bank's 3,500 employees. The $5 billion record growth in loans and deposits posted in 2009 is directly attributable to these efforts and to the leadership of our management team. At the same time, the combination of our institution's solidity and the agility with which we put our strategies into effect is also very much at the heart of our success and serves as a tremendous source of pride," underlines Mr. Robitaille .

Réjean Robitaille was appointed President and Chief Executive Office of Laurentian Bank in December 2006 . At the Bank for 22 years now, Mr. Robitaille has occupied a number of progressively senior management positions along the course of his distinguished career within the organization. He occupied namely the positions of Senior Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer and of Senior Executive Vice-President, Retail and Commercial Financial Services. He also served as Senior Vice-President and Treasurer. Mr. Robitaille has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Montreal's École des Hautes Études Commerciales and is a certified chartered accountant.

About Laurentian Bank

Laurentian Bank of Canada is a banking institution operating across Canada and offering its clients diversified financial services. Differentiating itself through excellence in service, as well as through its simplicity and proximity, the Bank serves individual consumers and small and medium-sized businesses. The Bank also offers its products to a wide network of independent financial intermediaries through B2B Trust, as well as full-service brokerage solutions through Laurentian Bank Securities.

Laurentian Bank is well established in the Province of Quebec , operating the third-largest retail branch network. Elsewhere throughout Canada , it operates in specific market segments where it holds an enviable position. Laurentian Bank of Canada has more than $22 billion in balance sheet assets and more than $14 billion in assets under administration. Founded in 1846, the Bank employs more than 3,500 people.

For further information: Gladys Caron, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Communications and Investor Relations, [phone], extension 7511, [email protected]