Welcome to Canada! Scotiabank speaks your language

- Scotiabank StartRight Website for Newcomers Now Available in Eight Languages

TORONTO, April 26 /CNW/ - As Canada's foreign-born population continues to increase, Scotiabank is pleased to now offer its website for newcomers in eight languages. A resource for people either planning to move to Canada or already here, www.startright.scotiabank.com is now available in English, French, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Punjabi, Arabic and Farsi.

"At Scotiabank, we understand the important role that immigrants, temporary workers and foreign students play in the Canadian labour force, economy and cultural mosaic," said Rania Llewellyn, Vice-President of Multicultural Banking at Scotiabank. "A recent Statistics Canada report, projecting significant growth of the foreign-born population in Canada over the next decade underscores the importance of meeting the needs of people choosing to make Canada their new home, whether on a permanent or temporary basis."

In addition to being available in eight languages, www.startright.scotiabank.com has been enhanced to offer comprehensive information and resources within two main categories: "Moving to Canada" and "Already in Canada." The website is an extension of the broad-based Scotiabank StartRight(TM) program and includes helpful tips and advice for newcomers to Canada including:

    
    -   ideas and resources to help with building credit history, job
        searches, government documents, starting a business, finding and
        financing a home, investing needs and saving for children's
        education;
    -   the Scotiabank StartRight(TM) brochure which is available for viewing
        and downloading in 18 languages; and
    -   a "Moving to Canada" check list.
    

"As Canada's most international bank with a presence in some 50 countries around the world, Scotiabank is committed to the communities it serves, both here in Canada and internationally," said Ms. Llewellyn. The website enhancements build on Scotiabank's products and services tailored for Canada's multicultural communities. In December of 2009, Scotiabank added Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and Spanish language capabilities to its ABM network across Canada. A multilingual branch locator at www.scotiabank.com/branchlocator was also introduced in 2009 enabling users to select from over 50 languages to find a branch closest to them where their language preference is spoken.

Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With close to 68,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve approximately 14.6 million customers in some 50 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a diverse range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With more than $507 billion in assets (as at January 31, 2010), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

For further information: Patty Stathokostas, [phone] or [email protected]