Canadians Advise Newcomers 'Choose a Financial Institution That Understands Your Needs'

TORONTO, ON --(Marketwired - June 30, 2016) - In a recent Scotiabank commissioned poll inspired by Canada Day, Canadians offered newcomers some helpful advice about choosing a financial institution in their new home. Over one quarter of Canadians recommend that recent immigrants choose a financial institution that "understands their unique needs" (28%).

"We launched the Scotiabank StartRight Program in 2008 to help newcomers to open the door to their new start in Canada," said Puneet Mann, Director, Branch Customer Experience & Multicultural Banking at Scotiabank. "Scotiabank is committed to being a partner for newcomers to Canada, and offering the right solutions and advice -- from setting up your bank account and managing your money, to investing for your future."

From opening accounts before arriving, to setting up accounts and managing money, Scotiabank advisors are part of a team that provides leading financial advice and solutions for landed immigrants, international students and foreign workers.

Additional advice in the poll from Canadians for newcomers included choosing a financial institution that:

--  Provides the best rates (19%)
--  Has the most expertise serving newcomers to Canada (17%)
--  Has advisors that can speak your language (10%)
--  Has branches that are close and convenient to your home (9%)

As Canada Day approaches, Scotiabank is providing a way for Canadians and recent immigrants to "Share Your Story" in a judged competition now underway on Facebook. "Share Your Story" encourages newcomers to Canada to tell Scotiabank what makes Canada feel like home, what opportunities Canada has to offer and what success looks like to them.

A panel will judge eligible entries during each weekly prize period on the basis of individuality, creativity and quality. Starting June 13, until August 20, Scotiabank will post a new topic each week on its website. There will be a weekly prize offered of $1,500 for an eligible winning entrant. The total value of all weekly prizes is $15,000.

"We've been delighted to read the comments from Canadians, new and old, from across the country who have shared their stories," continued Ms. Mann. "These stories are heart-warming and often very emotional and there is a common thread of appreciation for a country that is welcoming and helpful towards newcomers."

To participate in Share your Story, or to view video testimonials from StartRight customers, please visit our StartRight program page.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 89,000 employees and assets of $895 billion (as at April 30, 2016), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto BNS and New York Exchanges BNS. Scotiabank distributes the Bank's media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

About the Survey:

The poll was conducted by MARU/VCR&C on behalf of Scotiabank. A total of 1,506 online interviews were conducted nationally with Canadians 18+. The research study was conducted from June 10 to 13, 2016.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

For media enquiries only:

David Rowney
Public, Corporate and Government Affairs
Scotiabank
(416) 933-3056
david.rowney@scotiabank.com

Shelley Colenbrander
Narrative PR
(416) 357-7829
shelley.colenbrander@narrative.ca