Atlantic Trust Named Best Private Wealth Manager by Private Asset Management magazine

Firm recognized for excellence by publication for sixth straight year

ATLANTA, Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Atlantic Trust, the U.S. private wealth management division of CIBC (NYSE:CM) (TSX:CM) has been recognized by Private Asset Management (PAM), a leading financial services industry trade publication, as Best Private Wealth Manager — Overall. The 2016 PAM Awards were announced earlier this week at a ceremony in New York. Eight firms were shortlisted for this award.

"For the sixth consecutive year, PAM has recognized our firm's commitment to providing the highest-quality client service and competitive investment performance across our comprehensive wealth management platform," said Eric B. Propper, CFA, president of Atlantic Trust. "We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of our clients and our strategic partners, as well as the commitment and hard work of our employees—all of whom have made this distinct honor possible."

PAM annually invites firms to compete for awards in several categories that are reviewed by a panel of independent industry experts. PAM considers the following criteria when selecting the winners of these awards:

• Financial progress: Candidates must be able to demonstrate performance track records over the course of the last 12 months
• Growth: Client numbers, internal hires and geographic expansion
• Client satisfaction: Provide evidence of client satisfaction
• Product innovation: Details of new services and products launched over the course of the year prior to the year the award is given

This award follows Atlantic Trust's previous PAM wins:

• Best Multi-Family Office—Overall—New Product in 2015
• Best Multi Family Office—Client Service and Best Private Wealth Manager—New Product in 2014
• Best Wealth Manager: Long-Term Performance (3 years) in 2013
• Best Private Client Investment Platform—Performance in 2012
• Best Private Wealth Manager in Overall Client Service in 2011

In 2015, Atlantic Trust was selected by PAM for the award of "Best Multi-Family Office—Overall—New Product" for its "AT Income Opportunities Fund" (NYSE: AWIIX) that Atlantic Trust launched in 2014. Seven firms were shortlisted for this award and Atlantic Trust was the only firm selected for the recognition.

In 2014, Atlantic Trust was selected by PAM for the award of "Best Private Wealth Manager - New Product." The detailed information provided by Atlantic Trust for the award included information on a hedge fund of funds that Atlantic Trust launched in 2013. Three firms were shortlisted for this award and Atlantic Trust was the only firm selected for the recognition.

In 2014, Atlantic Trust was selected by PAM for the award of "Best Multi-Family Office - Client Service - Over $2.5 Billion." The detailed information provided by Atlantic Trust for the award included information on both internal and external strategies. Five firms were shortlisted for this award and Atlantic Trust was the only firm selected for the recognition.

In 2013, Atlantic Trust was selected by PAM for the award of "Best Wealth Manager: Long-Term Performance (3 years)." The detailed information provided by Atlantic Trust for the award included information on both internal and external strategies. Of the six firms shortlisted by PAM in this category, Atlantic Trust was the only firm selected for the award.

In 2012, Atlantic Trust was selected by PAM for the award of "Best Private Client Investment Platform—Performance" based on information provided by Atlantic Trust. Ten firms entered the category for this award and four firms were shortlisted, of which Atlantic Trust was the only firm selected for the award. In response to PAM's question about "how [we] have developed our [investment] offering in 2011" regarding "product innovation, performance and how [we] dealt with the challenges of the last year," Atlantic Trust provided an overview of our investment approach and recent asset allocation recommendations, as well as highlights of proprietary performance. Atlantic Trust provided detailed performance information for the Atlantic Trust Disciplined Equity Strategy. Atlantic Trust did not provide detailed performance information with respect to the more than 50 other proprietary and externally managed strategies available on our platform. Thus, the reference to "investment platform—performance" in the award should not be misconstrued as suggesting that PAM conducted a comprehensive review of all of the strategies on our platform.

In 2011, of the five firms shortlisted by PAM for the "Best Private Wealth Manager in Overall Client Service" rating, Atlantic Trust was the only firm selected for the award.

Any reference to a ranking, a rating or an award provides no guarantee of future performance results, and is not necessarily indicative of any particular client's experience and is not constant over time. For more information, visit www.pammagazine.com.

About Atlantic Trust
Atlantic Trust is one of the nation's leading private wealth management firms, offering integrated wealth management for high net worth individuals, families, foundations and endowments. The firm considers clients' financial, trust, estate planning and philanthropic needs in developing customized asset allocation and investment management strategies. Experienced professionals deliver a broad range of solutions, including proprietary investment offerings and a robust open architecture platform of traditional and alternative managers. Atlantic Trust operates in 13 full-service locations throughout the U.S., with $26.9 billion in assets under management as of Dec. 31, 2015. For more information, visit www.atlantictrust.com.

About CIBC
CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution. Through our Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking businesses, CIBC provides a full range of financial products to individual, small business, commercial, corporate and institutional clients in Canada and around the world. CIBC acquired Atlantic Trust, a premier U.S. private wealth management firm, in January 2014. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Media Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

SOURCE Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management