• The Bank will match funds raised through employee and public donations

TORONTO, March 15 /CNW/ - Scotiabank is announcing that it will make a donation of Cdn$100,000 to the Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami relief efforts through matching funds raised from employee and public donations.

"Our thoughts are with the people of Japan as they deal with this devastating situation," said Rick Waugh, President and CEO, Scotiabank. "We want to do what we can to support these communities in their time of need."

The public can visit their local Scotiabank branch to make a donation and have their funds matched starting today, until Friday, April 15^th.

Scotiabank will be making its donation through the Canadian Red Cross Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund to be distributed by the organization as needed.

The Bank first entered Japan with a representative office in Tokyo in 1962 and was the first Canadian Bank to open a branch in the country, which it did in 1981. Today the Bank's presence in Japan contributes to its Asia-Pacific network of almost 300 branches and offices in 12 countries.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, 'Bright Future'.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.