Wendel Clark and CIBC to celebrate grand opening of new Kitchener branch

Draw to win a snow thrower prize-pack and winter fun; $5,000 donation to National Service Dogs to mark the occasion

KITCHENER, Feb. 19 /CNW/ - Tomorrow, Saturday, February 20, hockey legend Wendel Clark will help CIBC celebrate the grand opening of its new 6,100 square-foot CIBC Fischer-Hallman & Westmount Banking Centre in Kitchener. The new state-of-the-art, full-service branch offers clients service in English, Hindi, Marathi, Malaysian, Bahasa Indonesia and Punjabi six days a week.

Clark will be on-site from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to sign autographs for guests who can also enter to win a snow thrower prize-pack. Families can enjoy a variety of fun activities, including a pony sleigh ride for kids, an ice sculpture demonstration, balloon artist, face painting, caricaturist, a live band and a performance by the John Sweeney Catholic School choir. There will also be a barbecue, popcorn, cotton candy and other snacks and refreshments.

"We're really excited to celebrate the grand opening of our new banking centre with our Kitchener clients and the community," said Larry Tomei, CIBC's Senior Vice-President of Retail Markets for Central Canada. "Our new branch offers clients the convenience of full-service banking six days a week with a variety of language options in a large and modern facility."

    
    The hours of operation are:

    Monday - Wednesday:      9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Thursday - Friday:       9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
    Saturday:                9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    

To further mark the occasion, CIBC will present a $5,000 donation to National Service Dogs (NSD), an organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life and enhancing the independence of children and families living with autism and special needs by providing them with a specially trained Labrador or Golden Retriever.

CIBC's donation will help provide an autistic child on the NSD's waiting list with a specially-trained service dog.

"CIBC's generous donation to National Service Dogs will profoundly change the life of a child with autism," said Danielle Forbes, Executive Director of National Service Dogs. "Children with autism have no sense of personal safety and are often socially isolated. When tethered to their specially trained Autism Service Dog, children are anchored and kept safely with their parents, making family vacations and social outings not only possible but fun for the whole family. Thanks to companies like CIBC, we are able to continue making a difference in the autism community - ONE CHILD - ONE DOG - ONE Life at a time."

The new branch is barrier free with accessibility features such as a sit down teller station and two Automated Banking Machines (ABMs) installed at wheelchair accessible height with headphone jacks for audio access; grab bars for mobility assistance; and brighter lighting. The branch also features a drive-thru ABM for added convenience.

With 1072 branches, CIBC has one of the largest branch networks in Canada. CIBC clients also benefit from access to more than 3,800 automated bank machines, and 24/7 service over the phone and on Canada's leading online banking site, www.cibc.com.

CIBC (CM: TSX;NYSE) is a leading North American financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada, and has offices in the United States and around the world. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Press Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

For further information: Media contact: Doug Maybee, Director, External Communications and Media Relations, [phone] or [email protected]