National Bank Volunteer Program: 100,000 hours of volunteer work for the benefit of the community

$100,000 donated to the Children's Wish Foundation

MONTREAL, April 17, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - National Bank is proud to announce, as it marks National Volunteer Week, that its employees and retired employees devoted 100,000 hours of their time to volunteer activities over the past year. To highlight reaching this objective, a donation of $100,000, which is equal to the number of volunteer hours logged, will be given to an organization dedicated to children's well-being, selected by employees. This amount brings the Bank's total contributions to more than $12 million over the past five years to promote education, healthcare and other initiatives for young people.

At the ceremony to present the cheque to the Children's Wish Foundation, Lise-Anne Amyot, Vice-President – Brand and Client Experience, reiterated the importance of community engagement at National Bank: "Year after year, thousands of employees and retired employees tirelessly devote their time to make a difference in the community." To recognize this engagement and multiply its impact, the Bank updated its volunteer program in 2014. One of the new initiatives includes donating $1 for each hour volunteered in the community by employees and retired employees, individually or in teams."

Thanks to the National Bank Volunteer Program, the Children's Wish Foundation will be able to devote even more energy and resources to bringing joy to children living with a life-threatening illness. "I would like to thank the employees of National Bank for their support. This financial support will make it possible for us to grant even more wishes and offer more children experiences that bring hope to them and their families," stated Juli Meilleur, Director of the Children's Wish Foundation for Quebec.

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 www.youth.nationalbank.ca.

About National Bank of Canada
With $214 billion in assets as at January 31, 2015, National Bank of Canada (www.nbc.ca), together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups. The Bank has more than 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.caand commitment.nationalbank.ca.

About Children's Wish Foundation
Children's Wish Foundation has been granting wishes to children, ages 3 to 17, who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, to live out their greatest dream. Since its beginnings in 1984, it has granted more than 22,000 wishes across Canada, including close to 7,000 in Quebec. The Foundation is committed to never turning down an eligible child. This year, Children's Wish will be granting more than 1,000 new wishes. For more information, visit www.childrenswish.ca.

SOURCE National Bank of Canada

Image with caption: "From left to right: Marie-Andrée Farmer, Advisor - Philanthropy activities, Renée Delisle, Élizabeth's mother, Lise-Anne Amyot, Vice-President - Brand and Client Experience, Élizabeth Morin, Rémy Morin, Élizabeth's father, Jonathan Prunier, Manager - Donations and sponsorships, Juli Meilleur, Director of the Children's Wish Foundation for Quebec, and Raphaël Morin, Élizabeth's brother. (CNW Group/National Bank of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150417_C4889_PHOTO_EN_14420.jpg

(The telephone number provided below is for the exclusive use of journalists and other media representatives.): Jean-François Lauzon, Advisor - Public Affairs, National Bank, Tel.: [phone]