Mr. David Taylor reports

PACIFIC & WESTERN BANK OF CANADA APPOINTS HONOURABLE THOMAS A. HOCKIN CHAIR OF ITS BOARD

Thomas A. (Tom) Hockin, PC, has been reappointed chair of the board of Pacific & Western Bank of Canada. Mr. Hockin previously served as a member of the bank's board from June, 2005, and as chair of the bank's board from November, 2008, until he became executive director of the International Monetary Fund representing Canada, Ireland and the Caribbean in November, 2009. Mr. Hockin brings to the bank a wealth of pertinent experience from both the public and private sectors.

Mr. Hockin served as federal member of parliament for the riding of London West from 1984 to 1993; minister of state, finance (1986 to 1989); minister of small business and tourism (1989 to 1993); and minister of international trade (1993). After leaving politics, Mr. Hockin served as president and chief executive officer of the Investment Funds Institute of Canada and the Canadian Institute of Financial Planning. From 2007 to 2009, he chaired the federal Expert Panel on Securities Regulation.

Mr. Hockin earned an honours bachelor of arts in business administration from the University of Western Ontario, and a master of public administration and doctor of philosophy, both from Harvard University. He has been a lecturer at Harvard University, as well as a professor at both the University of Western Ontario and York University. Mr. Hockin is a graduate of the director education program of the Institute of Corporate Directors.

David Taylor, president and CEO of the bank, stated: "I am very pleased that Tom has rejoined our bank's board, as he brings a great deal of experience from both the public and private sectors, which will, no doubt, play an important role in the bank's return to growth and prosperity. I would also like to thank Mr. Scott Ritchie for serving as chair of the board during a most challenging time for the bank and its industry. Scott's dedication and guidance were instrumental in our bank weathering the turbulence of the liquidity crisis, and evolving into a more diversified and stronger bank. I am very pleased that Mr. Ritchie will continue to serve on the bank's board as chair of the risk oversight committee."