TORONTO, May 10 /CNW/ - Scotiabank today teamed up with Rogers Canada to launch Home Experts, a dynamic online consumer resource linking Canadians to some of the country's leading authorities in household design, renovations and financing. The website launch includes a contest with four $5,000 prizes to help Canadians pay down their mortgage faster, add to their down payment, or finance home renovations.

"Scotiabank is excited to partner with Rogers Canada to complement Canadians' pursuit of their dream homes with a social media solution that provides expert opinion on anything to do with homes," said Robin Hibberd, Executive Vice-President, Retail Products and Services, Canadian Banking, Scotiabank. "With Home Experts, current and future homeowners, investors and renovators, will get the information and insight they need to protect and grow their most important assets."

Visitors to the Home Experts website - at www.scotiabank.com/homeexperts - can view videos on various topics from a panel of experts, including home renovations expert Jim Caruk, decor expert Karen Sealy and home financing expert Deren Hasip. Mr. Caruk is a judge on Mike Holmes' HGTV show the Handyman Superstar Challenge and host of HGTVs Real Renos. Ms. Sealy is a regular decor expert on CityTV's national CityLine show. Mr. Hasip is a District Sales Manager, at Scotiabank.

Through a series of bi-weekly podcasts, the experts will share insights on topics such as: how to stage your home for a faster sale; how to find the right contractor to renovate your home; how to find the right real estate agent; how to get the right mortgage; what to look for in investment properties; and environmentally friendly building techniques.

"At Scotiabank, our commitment is to provide our customers with the products and services they need to meet their individual financial needs," said John Webster, Head, Real Estate Secured Lending and Scotia Mortgage Authority, Scotiabank. "Our first objective is to provide our customers with the best value for the financial services we provide."

The Home Experts website also includes a Scotiabank Total Equity Plan calculator, as well as affordability and mortgage payment calculators, plus a variety of self-help articles aimed at boosting customers' confidence in their financing and saving strategies.

"Canadians are looking for ways to cut costs and put more money back into their pockets and Scotiabank can help Canadians save hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year," added Mr. Webster. "Scotiabank is making it easier for customers to become homeowners and meet their ongoing mortgage needs by offering a full package of innovative homeownership solutions."

The Home Experts website will also feature articles about real estate trends, issues and helpful tips provided in conjunction with Rogers Internet properties such as CanadianBusiness.com, Macleans.ca, TodaysParent.com, Chatelaine.com, CityLine.com and CityNews.com.

"For many people, buying a home will be the single largest purchase they will make," said Deren Hasip, District Sales Manager, Scotiabank. "There are many mortgage options available and it's important that people choose the right one to best suit their needs and unique financial situation."

The Home Experts Contest runs until July 15, 2010. For details, visit the Bank's website at www.scotiabank.com/homeexperts.

Scotiabank offers a full suite of competitive mortgage products, including the popular Scotia Total Equity Plan (STEP). For more about Scotiabank mortgage products, visit us on the Web at http://www.scotiabank.com/cda/content/0,1608,CID349_LIDen,00.html.

Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With close to 68,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve approximately 14.6 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 $507 billion in assets (as at January 31, 2010), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.