TORONTO, ON - December 18, 2013 /CNW/ - From the local shop on Main Street to online businesses and everything in between, Scotiabank makes Canada's small businesses a big priority.

Scotiabank is committed to helping Canadian businesses grow and maintain the important role they play in the Canadian economy. Through the delivery of tailored advice, products and services, the Bank meets the needs of small business owners from small home-based enterprises to large professional practices.

"We have a long history of working closely with Canadian small business owners across a range of industries and professions to help them achieve success," said John Roberts, Vice President Small Business at Scotiabank. "We thank our small business customers for their trust and we appreciate their confidence in our ability to help them succeed.

"Our recent Scotiabank Small Business Poll tells us that Canadian small business owners are focused on growing their businesses while maintaining a work/life balance," added Roberts. "We understand that choosing a financial institution is an important and long-term decision. Each day in communities right across the country, our Small Business Advisors are taking the time to listen to their customers, to understand their goals and needs, and to deliver the right solutions and strategies to help them grow their businesses."

Quick facts:

• Finding and keeping customers (42%) is the most frequently cited concern of small business owners followed by competition in the marketplace (36%) and the health of the Canadian economy (30%).
• Three out of ten (27%) small business owners vow to make attracting new customers a priority for their business in the new year, followed by improving work/life balance (13%) and being more organized (11%).
• The top reasons for starting a small business are jumping on an opportunity (24%), pursuing a lifelong dream to be their own boss (16%) and making a career/life change (15%).
• When it came to seeking advice for their start-up, 32% of small business owners talked to their family or friends, 28% turned to their accountant, however 26% did not seek any advice.

For more information about our services, or to find a Scotiabank Small Business Advisor in your community, please visitwww.scotiabank.com or call 1.877.552.5522.

Small business owners can also visit getgrowingforbusines.com for free information, tips, blogs, whitepapers, videos, webinars and more to help them develop and grow their business.

About the polling data
For this survey, TNS Canada conducted online interviews among 501 owners/partners of small businesses with under $5 million annual revenue. In tabulation, data was weighted to be representative of the small business universe in terms of annual revenue and region. The survey was conducted between September 25 and 30, 2013.

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 $744 billion (as at October 31, 2013), 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:

Patty Stathokostas
P: 416-866-3625
E: patty.stathokostas@scotiabank.com