New Scotiabank Online Package Gives Customers the Edge on Home Financing
    Needs

    TORONTO, March 18 /CNW/ - Scotiabank has launched a new online program
designed to help Canadians make the most of their money when it comes to home
financing goals. By visiting www.scotiabank.com/upperhand Canadians now have
access to a full range of home borrowing advice, services and products all at
the click of their mouse.
    "For over 50 years, Scotiabank has been working with Canadians to make
home ownership a reality," said Charles Lambert, Managing Director, Mortgages,
Scotiabank. "The current interest rate environment continues to provide
opportunities for Canadians looking to make changes. There is a wide range of
home financing options that are available in the market so we have brought all
of our products and services together in one place, and added some new
features to really give our customers the edge when it comes to their home
borrowing needs."
    "Scotiabank advisors and mortgage specialists are always available to
provide individual service but we recognize that our customers want the
opportunity to review their options at their convenience, and often from the
comfort of their own homes," said Mr. Lambert.
    The Scotiabank Upper Hand online package helps customers to determine
their spending patterns, narrow their goals and use customized calculators and
research tools to explore options and find innovative and cost-efficient ways
to meet those goals.
    For first-time homebuyers, this includes a way to weigh the benefits of
owning versus renting, and then to decide how much house the customer can
afford. For people who already own, the site enables users to compare the
features of various types of mortgages to determine the right fit, and looks
at strategies such as "mortgage laddering." Renovators can get the Upper Hand
with articles on tips for effective renovations and ways to make a renovation
eco-friendly.
    In conjunction with the launch of the Upper Hand package, Scotiabank is
offering new cardholders an introductory rate of 1.9 per cent on the
ScotiaGold Passport Visa card, plus 15,000 bonus points on their first card
purchase. This card is one of the industry's most flexible travel rewards
card. Additionally, Scotiabank is offering 3.9 per cent on the ScotiaLine Visa
card, a card that can help reduce borrowing costs. Full details of these
offers are available at www.scotiabank.com/upperhand.
    "This new package moves beyond basic financial products and services to
offer a holistic, integrated approach based on the customer's borrowing
needs," said Rubina Havlin, Vice-President Credit Cards, Scotiabank. "These
are important financial decisions. We enable customers to get the Upper Hand
by providing clear and easy access to information that helps them make the
best decisions to match their individual circumstances and goals."

    Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and
Canada's most international bank. With more than 60,000 employees, Scotiabank
Group and its affiliates serve approximately 12.5 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 $449 billion in assets (as at January 31, 2008), Scotiabank trades on the
Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit
www.scotiabank.com.

    Note to media: Scotiabank Experts are Available to Speak About Home
    Financing and Borrowing Options and Strategies.