Team CIBC raises over $21 million during Season of Giving

Employee-driven campaigns support causes and communities across Canada

TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - CIBC employees and retirees contributed over $21 million in the last three months of 2014 to support causes benefiting kids, cures and communities across Canada.

"I am extremely proud of the passion and commitment CIBC employees have for making a difference in our communities," said Victor Dodig, CIBC's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Through their efforts and generosity in the last three months alone, Team CIBC has raised over $21 million to help Canadians in need."

CIBC employees across Canada made a difference through personal donations, volunteering and fundraising. In fact, the bank's marquee programs --- CIBC Miracle Day, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure and even the annual United Way-Centraide campaign -- all began as employee-driven initiatives that have since grown into an integral part of the organization.

While CIBC employees are involved in countless community initiatives year-round, they really show their heart from October to December when the bank ramps up for its Season of Giving. Highlights include:

United Way of Canada - Centraide Canada - CIBC employees and retirees helped raise a record $13.2 million donation. The funds were raised through pledges and volunteer-driven events like CIBC Hockey Day for United Way, which brings together teams from across the bank to participate in the great Canadian tradition of hockey. This signature event alone has raised more than $2.7 million since 2004.

CIBC Miracle Day - Each year on the first Wednesday in December, Wholesale Banking employees and CIBC Wood Gundy Investment Advisors donate their trading fees and commissions to support children's charities. This past December, our employees marked the 30^th anniversary of CIBC Miracle Day by raising more than $5 million to bring the total funds raised in Canada to $79 million since 1984.

CIBC Run for the Cure - More than 15,000 members of Team CIBC raised nearly $3 million towards creating a future without breast cancer through pledges, fundraising events, and support from the CIBC Pink Collection^TM and the Wall of Hope. This includes Minerva Isovski, Executive Director for Equity Capital Markets, who was inspired to participate after losing a friend to breast cancer in 2004. She was recognized as Top National Fundraiser by Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, after raising an incredible $47,000 in 2014 alone. Team CIBC has raised nearly $39 million for this cause since 2000.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. With a strategic focus on Kids, Cures and Community, and employee commitment to causes, including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the CIBC Children's Foundation and United Way, we are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In 2014, CIBC contributed more than $42 million to 1,780 charitable and non-profit initiatives in over 420 communities. 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