-Guaranteed Investment Certificates offer risk-free returns in unstable times-

TORONTO, Jan. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Scotiabank is helping Canadians start their New Year savings plans off right with the introduction of a new one-year Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) with a special rate of 1.6 per cent.  The new special rate non-redeemable GIC is available starting today until the end of January 2013.

"GICs play a special role in a savings plan by offering Canadians a safe way to keep their money working, and our GIC special offers a great rate in today's environment," says Mike Henry, Senior Vice President and Head of Retail Deposits and Lending at Scotiabank.  "GICs can be used for short, mid, and long term savings, and are ideal for TFSAs, RRSPs, and non-registered plans as well."

According to a Scotiabank poll taken last summer, two in five Canadian investors (38 per cent) hold GICs.  Of those people, the majority listed both competitive interest rates (68 per cent) and low risk profile (62 per cent) as the most important features when buying a GIC.

"Our new special rate GIC is designed to help Canadians kick-start their 2013 savings resolutions, worry-free," adds Henry.

For more information or to take advantage of this limited time offer, please visit your nearest Scotiabank branch, call 1-800-515-3329 or go to Scotiabank.com.

About the polling data
The Scotiabank Mega Poll was conducted online using Harris/Decima's online panel from June 18 through 28, 2012.  A total of 2,013 surveys were conducted nationally with Canadian respondents 18 plus years of age.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 81,000 employees, Scotiabank 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. In December 2012, Scotiabank became the first Canadian bank to be named Global Bank of the Year and Bank of the Year in the Americas by The Banker magazine, a Financial Times publication. With assets of $668 billion (as at October 31, 2012), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

SOURCE: Scotiabank - Products & Services