Montréal, 16 April 2012 –

National Bank is pleased to donate $50,000 to the Chaire de recherche en oncologie ORL Dr Azar / Angélil, a concrete gesture being made as part of Cancer Awareness Month that will help fund research into ENT cancers. National Bank’s donation will also be used to develop the ENT Oncology Department at the CHUM’s Hôpital Notre-Dame, considered to be the top centre in its field in Quebec.

The mission of the Chaire de recherche en oncologie ORL Dr Azar / Angélil is to promote research into ENT cancers in order to significantly improve treatment of these cancers, as well as survival rates.

National Bank’s contribution is in keeping with its commitment to support health research and disease prevention initiatives. “Research is essential to developing intervention techniques and improving treatment methods,” emphasized Diane Giard, Executive Vice-President – Marketing at National Bank. “We are proud to support the CHUM’s ENT oncology team in its mission, thereby contributing to improving the quality of healthcare services in Quebec.”

Every year, through its donations and sponsorships program and the initiatives of its employees, National Bank supports 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.

To find out more about National Bank’s involvement in the community, visit the Bank’s social commitment portal at www.commitment.nationalbank.ca, or consult its Social Responsibility Report atwww.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. As at January 31, 2012, National Bank has over CDN$175 billion in assets in accordance with IFRS and, together with its subsidiaries, employs 19,785 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 of Canada’s financial literacy portal, visit www.clearfacts.ca.

Information (The telephone number provided below is for the exclusive use of journalists and other media representatives.):

Joan Beauchamp
Senior Advisor – Public Affairs
National Bank
Tel.: 514-394-6500