Two Other Employees Also Recognized

National Bank Financial Group (TSX:NA) proudly acknowledged the social commitment and involvement of its current and retired employees at its Annual Meeting of Employees, held in Montreal. Kristin Kirkpatrick received the André-Bérard Award for 2010-2011, the highest honour in the Financial Group's "Our hearts are with you" employee volunteer program. The prize also includes a $5,000 donation for the organization in which she is active.

Ms. Kirkpatrick is an Investment Advisor with National Bank Financial in Lethbridge, Alberta and is deeply committed to sharing her knowledge of the business world with young people through her involvement in Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta. The organization's mission is to help young Albertans discover the world of business and economics and develop their entrepreneurial and leadership skills. Junior Achievement programs are offered in schools by business people and other professionals on a volunteer basis.

In addition to her work with Junior Achievement, Ms. Kirkpatrick is also actively involved in other causes that benefit her community. "There are three aspects that motivate me to get involved, " she explains, "the future of our young people, education and the eagerness to share my knowledge of the business world. I believe that by investing in young people, we create value for our community. I sincerely hope that I have helped to motivate young people to invest in their future. "

Two other employees/retirees also received an Our hearts are with you Award for their involvement in the community as well as a $1,000 donation for their respective organizations. They are:

Melba Bedard, a retired branch manager from Belle River, Ontario helped create the Katelyn Bedard Bone Marrow Association in Windsor with her son and daughter-in-law after leukemia claimed the life of her granddaughter. She is determined to take concrete action that will save lives and make a difference. She recently set up a pilot project to screen potential bone marrow donors in cooperation with OneMatch of Canadian Blood Services. Thanks to the success of the project, the Association is now the official partner of OneMatch in the Windsor/Essex region for potential donor screening and other community partners can now hold this type of event anywhere across Canada.

Manon Létourneau, an Investment Advisor with National Bank Financial in Montreal, is involved in several causes. For her "every cause is a good cause" and she never hesitates to step up her efforts to meet and exceed her objectives. As a member of the board of directors of the Fondation Palli Ami supporting palliative care at Montreal's Hôpital Notre-Dame, she formed a special fundraising committee (travel raffle). Through her efforts to set up a detailed sales plan, better cost management and a dedicated fundraising committee, the campaign netted more funds than the previous year.

"I am always proud to see how our efforts make a difference within the community. On behalf of the management of National Bank Financial Group, I congratulate our three 2010-2011 finalists—caring individuals who devote time and energy to causes they believe in. You are an inspiration to all National Bank Financial Group employees," declared Louis Vachon, National Bank Financial Group President and CEO, during the Annual Meeting of Employees.

The André-Bérard Award, named in honour of a former National Bank President known for his community involvement, recognizes employees and retirees who have made a significant contribution through their volunteer activities. It is part of the "Our hearts are with you" recognition program, which supports employee volunteer activities, rewards their efforts, and enhances the impact of their actions with financial contributions to the organizations that are near and dear to their hearts.

Through its donations and sponsorships program and the initiatives of its employees, National Bank Financial Group helps support hundreds of organizations across Canada. It focuses primarily on four main areas of activity – health, education, arts and culture, and community outreach – with the goal of generating positive benefits for communities.

More information on the many causes and projects the Financial Group supports as part of its commitment to the communities it serves can be found in our social responsibility report at [ www.nbc.ca/socialresponsibility ]

About National Bank of Canada

National Bank of Canada is an integrated group that provides comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core market, while offering specialized services to its clients elsewhere in the world. National Bank offers a full array of banking services, including retail, corporate and investment banking. It is an active player on international capital markets and, through its subsidiaries, is involved in securities brokerage, insurance and wealth management as well as mutual fund and retirement plan management. National Bank has over $152 billion in assets and, together with its subsidiaries, employs 18,407 people. The Bank's securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:NA). For more information, visit the Bank's website at [ www.nbc.ca ]. To access National Bank Financial Group's financial education portal, visit [ www.clearfacts.ca ].

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Two Other Employees Also Recognized