Halifax Grade 10 students Donald Jeffrey (DJ) Welsh and Afsa Shaban receive

CIBC Youthvision^® Scholarships valued at up to $36,000 each

Scholarship includes tuition, paid summer internships at YMCA and mentoring to help them reach their full potential

HALIFAX, June 9, 2010¾ CIBC (CM:TSX: NYSE) is pleased to announce that DJ Welsh of Halifax West High School and Afsa Shaban of Citadel High School are among the 30 Grade 10 students from across Canada receiving the 2010 CIBC Youthvision^® Scholarship awards, the only scholarship program in Canada awarded to Grade 10 students.

The CIBC Youthvision Scholarship, delivered through CIBC’s unique partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and YMCA Canada, combines post-secondary tuition, paid summer internships at the YMCA and mentoring support to help youth reach their full potential. This year’s crop of winners brings the total number of scholarships awarded to Grade 10 students across Canada to 360, representing a multi-year commitment by CIBC of more than $10 million for this program.

“I was very excited to hear that I had received the CIBC scholarship,” said Welsh. “Now I will be able to further my education, which I would not be in a position to do without this scholarship. I intend to continue my education towards a career in law enforcement as my way of giving back to my community.”

“I am so happy and extremely thankful for winning this scholarship because it will help me further my education for better future for me and my family. We really appreciate all you have done for me,” said Shaban. “I am looking forward to working hard in school and through my summer job as well. Thank you again!”

Both students met the main eligibility requirement of being enrolled in a mentoring program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada or the YMCA. Welsh is a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax and Shaban belongs to the YMCA.

"Wanting to make a difference in a child's life, I joined the Big Brothers program to help someone build confidence and character. I never realized the extent to which this relationship would develop," said Guy Germain, Welsh's Big Brother for nearly four years.

"At first, DJ was a shy, 12-year-old boy who could barely make eye contact when shaking hands with someone. But he was always respectful. His story touched me deeply. He had endured a lot unenviable circumstances as a little boy and has been raised by his grandmother. I remember that first year with DJ. I was always amazed at his self-discipline and respect for others. On top of his domestic responsibilities, he worked hard at school and diligently trained towards a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. You'd never know to look at him that he's had a hard past.  Now on the verge of turning 16, DJ is growing up into a great man. He has strong values, a deep respect for the law, and great sense of humour. I simply love hanging out with him because he always makes me smile.”

Shaban and Welsh will each receive six summer internships through the YMCA that begin right after Grade 10, valued at up to $20,000; and tuition for four years at the Canadian university or college of their choice, valued at up to $16,000. They also will receive ongoing mentoring until they graduate from their post-secondary education.

“The CIBC Youthvision Scholarship Program is unique in that it targets young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue a university or college education and supports them in completing both their high school and post-secondary studies,” said Kim Baudouin, Director, Higher Education Scholarships, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). “As administrator of the program, AUCC is proud to partner with CIBC, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and the YMCA to reach out to high school students through this program.”

“It is inspiring to see how deserving young people like Afsa and DJ are and how hard they work towards their goals,” said Sylvain Vinet, CIBC’s Senior Vice-President of Retail Markets for Eastern Canada. “The CIBC Youthvision Scholarship is added encouragement for them to realize their academic dreams and their full potential.”

Liam LaTouche received his CIBC Youthvision Scholarship in 2001 and graduated in 2007 from the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Bachelor of Science Specialization in Kinesiology. “The CIBC Youthvision Scholarship opened so many doors for me,” he said. “It gave me the chance to grow as a person and along the career path I always dreamed of. I knew I wanted to go to university to get where I wanted to be, but I didn’t have the means to go. I would have had a ton of debt from student loans. Getting the scholarship was so overwhelming. It gave me the chance to leave home and tailor my career path towards sports medicine by studying at Western, which has propelled me in my field.”

CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, employees and our communities.  We aim to make a difference in communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of employees.  With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the CIBC Children’s Foundation and United Way, we are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In 2009, $26.8 million was contributed through the CIBC group of companies to charitable and non-profit initiatives in Canada, supporting a wide variety of national, regional and local organizations. To learn more, visit www.communitymatters.cibc.com.

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To arrange interviews with Afsa and DJ or for more information, please contact Doug Maybee, CIBC, at 416-980-7458 or cibc.com