TORONTO, ON - June 01, 2015 /CNW/ - Scotiabank today announced two executive changes as the Bank continues to increase its focus on customers and simplify its operating model.

Anatol von Hahn, Group Head, Canadian Banking, will be retiring from the Bank on June 19, 2015. James O'Sullivan, Executive Vice President, Global Wealth Management, will be appointed Group Head of Canadian Banking effective the same day.

"Anatol has had a long and distinguished career with Scotiabank having made significant contributions to our businesses in key leadership roles in our International and Canadian Banking business lines," said Brian Porter, President and CEO, Scotiabank. "James has a successful track record in capital markets, asset management and wealth. His experience in focusing on the customer and building high performance teams will serve our customers and shareholders well."

Jeff Heath, Executive Vice President and Group Treasurer will be retiring from the Bank on June 19, 2015. Andrew Branion, Executive Vice President and Chief Market Risk Officer, will become Executive Vice President and Group Treasurer, effective the same day.

"Jeff has made significant contributions over his 30-year career in building the Bank's reputation in the risk management and treasury areas through his expertise, commitment and perspective," said Brian Porter. "Andrew brings extensive experience in both capital markets and risk management to his new role. He has played a leadership role in influencing how the Bank thinks about risk in the trading businesses, as well as operational and enterprise risk management."

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 86,000 employees and assets of $837 billion (as at April 30, 2015), 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 and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.