TORONTO, ON - April 08, 2014 /CNW/ - Scotiabank is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas O'Neill as non-executive Chairman of the Bank's Board of Directors, succeeding John Mayberry, who retired as Board Chairman.

"Tom brings tremendous leadership and experience to the role of Chairman and will continue to contribute to Scotiabank's ongoing success," said Mr. Mayberry. "It has been an honour to serve as Chairman for the past five years. I am confident that Scotiabank has a clear strategy, exceptional leadership and governance, and a very long and bright future ahead."

Mr. O'Neill has been a Scotiabank director since 2008 and is the retired Chair of the Board of PwC Consulting. He was formerly Chief Executive Officer of PwC Consulting, Chief Operating Officer of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Global, Chief Executive Officer of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Canada, and Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Price Waterhouse Canada.

He is currently Chair of BCE Inc., and a director of Loblaw Companies Limited and Adecco, S.A.

Mr. O'Neill holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen's University and is a chartered accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario. In September 2013, Mr. O'Neill received the ICAO Award of Outstanding Merit from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, which recognizes Mr. O'Neill's contributions to his profession and the community.

Mr. Mayberry retired as Board Chairman at the close of Scotiabank's 182^nd Annual Meeting of Shareholders held in Kelowna, B.C., earlier today. He served as Chairman for five years and as a director for 20 years. Mr. Mayberry has been appointed an Honorary Director of the Board.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada's most international bank. Through our team of more than 83,000 employees, Scotiabank and its affiliates offer a broad range of products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management, corporate and investment banking to over 21 million customers. With assets of $783 billion (as at January 31, 2014), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank's media releases using CNW. For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

For media inquiries: 
Sheena Findlay
Scotiabank Media Communications
647-628-3501
sheena.findlay@scotiabank.com