-   Full service branch in the STM's métro station offers an innovative
        approach to bankingMONTREAL, April 20 /CNW/ - Scotiabank today opened a new full-service
branch inside the Métro McGill station in the heart of downtown Montreal,
offering commuters the convenience of stepping off the train to do their
banking. The branch, the first of its kind for Scotiabank, also offers
customers a new and innovative approach to banking that balances lifestyle,
culture and finance.
    "We are excited to unveil this new, non-traditional branch concept, where
banking is a quick stop on the way to or from work, school or an event," says
Diane Giard, Senior Vice President, Quebec and Eastern Ontario Region,
Scotiabank. "This convenient and innovative full-service branch with flexible
hours promises to deliver an experience that links culture and finance to
enable a richer life for our customers."
    In addition to offering financial service excellence, the Scotiabank
Métro McGill station branch celebrates the lifestyle and culture of Quebec as
well as community involvement. In a space conscious environment, the branch
has a lounge in which clients can access the Internet on state-of-the-art
computers and browse reading material focused on finance, culture and art. A
health bar completes this unique experience.
    "At Scotiabank, we're always looking for ways to provide even better
service to our customers and the community," says Wendy Hannam, Executive Vice
President, Personal Banking & Distribution, Canada, Scotiabank. "I believe
this new Scotiabank location will become an important and convenient service
for commuters and the local community."The new branch offers the following features and services:

    -   Convenient hours of operation: 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to
        Friday;
    -   Personal banking services including day-to-day banking, home
        ownership solutions and investment planning;
    -   Two full-service Automated Banking Machines; and
    -   A team of financial experts that speak 14 languages and dialects
        including Arabic, Creole, Hebrew, Spanish and Mandarin.In addition, the new branch is environmentally friendly as it is only
accessible via the métro, therefore parking is not an issue.
    "We are pleased to welcome Scotiabank to Montreal's métro," said Dominic
Perri, Chairman of the board of Transgesco, the commercial branch of the
Société de transport de Montréal (STM). "This initiative is a great example of
a partnership to offer public transit users a variety of diversified services
while allowing STM to grow its commercial revenues. Providing access to
banking services in the city's second busiest Métro station is a major benefit
for our users with hectic schedules."
    As Canada's hockey bank, Scotiabank is pleased to welcome former NHL(R)(*)
great Jean Béliveau to the opening. Mr. Béliveau will be appearing at the
branch to sign autographs for fans from noon until 2:00 p.m. Mr. Béliveau, who
played 20 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and won 10 Stanley Cup(TM)
Championships, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.

    Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and
Canada's most international bank. With more than 69,000 employees, Scotiabank
Group and its affiliates serve approximately 12.8 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 more than $509 billion in assets (as at January 31, 2009), Scotiabank
trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information
please visit www.scotiabank.com. You can also visit the branch's new website
at www.scotiabank.com/metromcgill.

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