CIBC congratulates Jim Prentice on winning leadership of the Alberta Conservative Party

TORONTO, Sept. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) congratulates Senior Executive Vice-President and Vice-Chairman, the Hon. Jim Prentice P.C., Q.C., on his election as leader of the Alberta Conservative Party and appointment as Premier of Alberta. Mr. Prentice, who has been on a leave of absence from CIBC since announcing his intent to run for public office, will now formally leave the bank.

"Over the past three years, Jim was instrumental in enhancing CIBC's position in the energy and infrastructure business across Canada and internationally," said Gerry McCaughey, President and CEO of CIBC. "The success that CIBC has experienced in the build of our energy business and in the expansion of our infrastructure lending globally is a comment upon Jim's leadership role at the bank."

During his time at CIBC, Jim served as a member of CIBC's Senior Executive Team. He also spoke on CIBC's behalf, raising the bank's profile on many of the public policy issues considered critical to the economic success of Canada. He also had responsibility for expanding CIBC's relationships with corporate clients across Canada and abroad.

He joined the bank following a successful career as a lawyer, Member of Parliament and one of the most senior Ministers in the Canadian Government. He served variously as the Minister of Industry, the Minister of the Environment, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and was the Minister responsible for major pipeline projects. He was also the Co-Chair of the Indian Claims Commission of Canada from 1993 until 2000.

Mr. Prentice holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University. He was designated as a Queen's Counsel in 1992 and a Privy Councillor in 2006.

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CIBC 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 Media Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

SOURCE: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce