National Bank of Canada receives PAIR Bronze certification from the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business

MONTREAL, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- National Bank of Canada (the "Bank") today announced that it has been awarded Bronze certification in the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) program from the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB), recognizing the Bank's progress and commitment to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples, communities, organizations, and businesses across Canada.

PAIR is a multi-year certification program that recognizes organizations demonstrating measurable and sustained progress in Indigenous relations and economic reconciliation. Independently verified, the certification evaluates performance across four key pillars: Leadership, Business Development, Community Relationships, and Employment.

"Achieving Bronze-level PAIR certification is an introductory milestone in our journey toward reconciliation and reflects the meaningful work underway across the Bank," said Marie Chantal Gingras, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice-President – Finance. "We humbly recognize that reconciliation requires ongoing action, listening, learning, and the pursuit of mutual benefit. Through stronger relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, and businesses, we are committed to supporting their evolving needs and contributing to long-term economic prosperity and shared success."

Building on this milestone, the Bank continues its efforts in fostering long-term, trust-based relationships with Indigenous communities and supporting initiatives that advance education, culture, well-being, and economic development. These include:

• Fostering a greater understanding of Indigenous realities, by delivering Indigenous awareness and reconciliation training through a strategic partnership with Ashukan Institute to employees, leaders, and executives, achieving a completion rate of over 90%.
• Creating pathways to attract, recruit, retain, and develop Indigenous talent through intentional hiring practices, partnerships with Indigenous organizations, and the support of the "Réseau Autochtone / Indigenous Network" (R.A/I.N.), its Indigenous employee resource group, which fosters cultural awareness, community, and professional development.
• Establishing a dedicated Indigenous Relations team, under the leadership of Steve Berna, who was appointed as Managing Director and Head of Indigenous Relations in early 2025, to advance equitable Indigenous participation across our activities, while ensuring greater awareness and recognition of Indigenous communities within banking relationships.
• Deepening support for Indigenous communities through enhanced investments in community partnerships that uplift their communities and promote Indigenous-led initiatives.
• Advancing economic reconciliation through its sustainable sourcing strategy, which integrates various social considerations into procurement practices and seeks to build strong relationships with diverse and Indigenous suppliers.

About National Bank of Canada

With $635 billion in assets as at July 31, 2026, National Bank of Canada (the "Bank") is one of Canada's six systemically important banks. The Bank has more than 37,000 employees in knowledge-intensive positions and operates three business segments in Canada: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets. A fourth segment, U.S. Specialty Finance and International, complements the growth of its domestic operations. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank's activities at nbc.ca or via social media.

SOURCE National Bank of Canada

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