GTA Next Stop on Scotiabank 'Get Growing to a Million' Small Business RV
    TourTORONTO, Sept. 17 /CNW/ - Scotiabank has taken to the highway with its
Small Business Banking initiative and will visit the Greater Toronto Area,
(GTA), September 17, 18, and 19, 2008 as part of a five month cross-country
tour to deliver Scotiabank's Small Business Banking tools, experts and
services to small businesses who want to 'Get Growing'. It's all part of the
Bank's 'Get Growing to a Million' campaign to help small business owners
identify strategies to grow their businesses.
    "We're on more than a road trip," said Kyle McNamara, Managing Director
and Head of Small Business Banking, Scotiabank. "We're on a mission to help
Canadian small business owners grow to the next level. Small business is
clearly an important factor in the GTA economy and we are looking forward to
meeting and working with these small business owners and understanding their
unique business concerns and opportunities."
    "The year ahead will be a challenging one," says Aron Gampel,
Scotiabank's Deputy Chief Economist. "The Ontario economy continues to be
buffeted by the deep slump in manufacturing activity attributable to the U.S.
downturn, longstanding competitive issues, and until recently, the sharp
run-up in the cost of gasoline and other transportation costs."
    But according to Gampel, "the GTA remains an attractive place to do and
expand business in the years ahead. It has a large and well-educated
population, is close to established markets throughout North America, has a
highly diversified and service-oriented economy, and is enjoying a multi-year
boom in private and public construction-related activity."
    "The 'Get Growing to a Million' campaign builds on Scotiabank's existing
foundation of delivering expert advice, information and services that help
small business owners improve their bottom line," said Jeff Bartja, Scotiabank
District Vice President. "Our advisors are ready to work with small business
owners in the GTA to help them grow to the next level - whether it's their
first million or their next million in revenue. We have the tools, advice and
expertise to help them get there."
    The touring RV will make dozens of stops across the country to give local
small business owners an opportunity to "test drive" these Small Business
tools, visit the new 'Get Growing for business' website, as well as discuss
their growth plans with a Scotiabank Small Business advisor.
    "Our experience with growing small businesses suggests the most
successful small business owners are those who have effectively planned their
business concept, from market research and human resources planning to cash
flow forecasts," said David Wilton, Director, Small Business Banking for
Scotiabank. "Our Small Business advisors have unique business planning and
financial diagnostic and check-up tools to offer. We have also made a number
of these resources available on our new 'Get Growing for business' website,
available 24/7 for the convenience of small business owners. In addition,
because we are so confident in the potential of these tools, we are bringing
them directly to small business owners in communities across the country," he
concluded.
    While in the GTA on September 17th, 18th and 19th, the Scotiabank 'Get
Growing to a Million' RV will be at the following locations, open for
interested local small business owners.September 17th:

    10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Scotiabank Theatre, 259 Richmond St. West,
                             Toronto
    11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Scotiabank, 7600 Weston Road @ Hwy No. 7,
                             Vaughan
    3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Scotiabank, 1037 The Queensway, Etobicoke

    September 18th

    11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Scotiabank, 845 Finch Ave. West, North Toronto
    3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Scotiabank, 160 Taunton Road, Whitby

    September 19th

    11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Scotiabank, 4900 Dixie Road (at Eglinton),
                             Mississauga
    2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Scotiabank, 284 Queen Street E., Brampton

    In addition to the cross-country tour, the Scotiabank 'Get Growing to a
Million' campaign includes a new Scotiabank Small Business website,
www.getgrowingforbusiness.com, which serves as an important vehicle to deliver
Scotiabank's Small Business resources. Designed as an interactive on-line
community the site offers small business owners a place to:

    -   participate in discussion forums focusing on current economic and
        business themes and their impact on small business;
    -   ask an online Small Business advisor a question;
    -   network with other small business owners identified by business
        segment and;
    -   access tools, including Blueprint for Business(TM) Check-up tool,
        ScotiaPlan Writer for business(TM) Planning tool, Scotia Starting
        Line for business(TM) Check-up tool, and its newest, Get Growing for
        business Sales and Marketing(TM) tool.

    "The 'Get Growing to a Million' tour, website, and tools have combined
elements that can help significantly increase opportunities for small
businesses. We are looking forward to taking them out to local communities and
showing owners how we can make them work for their businesses," said McNamara.

    About Scotiabank
    ----------------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 $462 billion in assets (as at July 31, 2008), Scotiabank trades on the
Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit
www.scotiabank.com.