National Bank Awarded Second LEED Canada-CI Gold Certification for the Design of a Branch

SHERBROOKE, QC, April 1, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - National Bank has been awarded a second LEED Canada-CI Gold certification for the interior design of a branch and offices in Sherbrooke. This recognition was highlighted last Thursday during a ceremony attended by Carole Girardin, Regional Vice-President for Eastern Townships/Amiante, Jean-Pierre Lahaye, Senior Manager - Commercial Banking for Eastern Townships, Jonny Bergeron, Vice-President and Regional Manager at National Bank Financial and Isabelle Allie, Manager of the King Street West branch in Sherbrooke.

The LEED Canada-CI (CI stands for Commercial Interiors) Gold certification is the third level of certification and it is awarded by the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC). The Council's mission is to lead and accelerate the transformation to high-performing, healthy green buildings, homes and communities throughout Canada.

"Nearly two years ago, we brought together a branch, our regional centre, a Commercial Banking centre, as well as National Bank Financial and Private Wealth 1859 experts all in one location. This new layout was designed using the Bank's building standards guide. This document's very strict guidelines were inspired by the LEED building rating systems. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the team that worked on this project," stated Carole Girardin, National Bank Regional Vice-President for Eastern Townships/Amiante.

A branch in the borough of Beauport in Quebec City was also recently awarded the LEED Canada-CI Gold certification for its interior design. A branch in the borough of Lachine in Montreal had previously received the LEED Canada -CI Silver Certification.

The Sherbrooke branch's certification stands out for such features as:

• Bicycle racks and showers have been installed, to encourage employees and clients to use eco-friendly modes of transportation.
• The branch's underground parking has an electric vehicle charging station.
• The building's roof is covered with a white membrane, to reduce the heat island effect.
• 67% of construction waste was recovered and diverted from landfills.
• The construction materials used were 15% recycled and 18% from within an 800-km radius of the building.
• Low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting materials were used in the construction (adhesives, sealants, paints, carpets).
• The chairs and furniture used are Greenguard® certified: they emit fewer chemicals.
• A full building flush-out was conducted before the occupants moved in.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a North American green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 1998. A building can be rated one of four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. Evaluation criteria include: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy performance, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality as well as innovation and design process.

About National Bank of Canada
With $195 billion in assets as at January 31, 2014, National Bank of Canada (www.nbc.ca), together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups, and has been named among the 20 strongest banks in the world by Bloomberg Markets magazine. The Bank has close to 20,000 employees and is widely recognized as a top employer. The Bank's 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: "(left to right) : Jonny Bergeron, Vice-President and Regional Manager at National Bank Financial, Carole Girardin, Regional Vice-President for Eastern Townships/Amiante, Isabelle Allie, Manager of the King Street West branch in Sherbrooke, Marie-Christine Marcoux, Private Advisor, National Bank Private Wealth 1859 and Jean-Pierre Lahaye, Senior Manager - Commercial Banking for Eastern Townships. (Absent : Hélène Ménard, Advisor, Premises Department and André Longpré, Manager, Premises Department.). (CNW Group/National Bank of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140401_C8124_PHOTO_EN_38693.jpg

SOURCE: National Bank of Canada

(The telephone number provided below is for the exclusive use of journalists and other media representatives.):

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National Bank
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