TORONTO, Feb. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - This evening Scotiabank celebrated 100 years of doing business in the heart of Toronto's Greektown at the southwest corner of Danforth and Pape Avenue.  As customers and city dignitaries gathered to honour the past, Scotiabank gave a peek into the future by unveiling renovation plans for the branch.

"This branch has worked with its customers through two world wars, the highest and lowest of economic times and technological changes that have revolutionized banking services," said John Doig, Senior Vice-President of Scotiabank's Toronto Region. "We're very proud to have been a fixture at the corner of Pape and Danforth for a century and we look forward to our continued role in the heart of Toronto's Greektown community."

As the Metropolitan Bank - Scotiabank's amalgamated bank - the branch opened its doors to the public on February 23, 1912.  Today, the Danforth and Pape branch has a team of 14 people serving the needs of customers and the community. The branch has also seen a number of physical changes over the years, with the latest set to take place over the spring and summer of 2012. Throughout the renovations, customers will enjoy access to all their banking needs at the Scotiabank branch across the street at 661 Danforth Avenue.

"As you can imagine, ten decades have seen tremendous change in our business, but this branch has remained a constant and important part of our service to the community around us," said Christine Williams, Vice President of Scotiabank's Toronto East District. "On behalf of Scotiabank, I would like to thank our customers and our employees for their ongoing support through the years and we hope to serve this vibrant community for another 100 years."

Collectively and individually, the Scotiabank Danforth and Pape branch and its employees have supported many local charities and community initiatives over the years such as the United Way, Scarborough General Hospital and the Don Mills Middle School Hockey Team. The branch was also active in fundraising for the Hellenic Hope Foundation and participated in the annual Danforth Dash Bed Race in support of Toronto East General Hospital.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 75,000 employees, Scotiabank Group and its affiliates serve some 19 million customers in more than 55 countries around the world. Scotiabank offers a broad range of products and services including personal, commercial, corporate and investment banking. With assets above $575 billion (as at October 31, 2011), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.