NEWS RELEASE

CIBC donates $1,000,000 to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection to reduce child victimization

Support marks major step forward in the fight against child pornography, sexual abuse and exploitation

TORONTO, August 26, 2008 - CIBC (CM: TSX;NYSE) announced today that it is committing one million dollars to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection to help reduce the victimization and exploitation of children across Canada.

CIBC's investment will be directed to raise awareness of the Centre and its Kids in the KnowTM safety education program to better educate children and parents about keeping their children safer from sexual abuse and exploitation. The contribution is one of the largest the Centre has received to date.

Safety education kits will be developed and made available for parents and for teachers to use in the classroom. These kits will be structured to provide safety information for children of all ages, as well as information about the Centre and its programs, including the Kids in the Know safety education program.

CIBC also has committed to work with the Centre to fight commercial child pornography by applying transaction-monitoring technology through its Retail banking operations to close down payment accounts used by illegal enterprises trading in child pornography, one of the largest and fastest growing commercial activities on the Internet.

"Protecting children from sexual abuse, exploitation and being victims of child pornography is an issue of the utmost importance," said Sonia Baxendale, Senior Executive Vice President of CIBC Retail Markets. "On behalf of our employees, clients and every parent, we are proud to be taking direct action with the Centre to combat this issue and help safeguard children in Canada."

CIBC has long been committed to child safety and children's issues.

For the past 11 years, CIBC has worked with Child Find by donating space on its direct mail envelopes to help find missing children. In 2007 alone, the pictures and vital information of missing children was sent out on 48 million client statements across Canada. In addition, each year CIBC donates millions of dollars through hundreds of organizations that support the safety, protection and well-being of children in Canada.

"We are thrilled to have CIBC's support and commitment to better protect children and shut down the child pornography industry in Canada," said Lianna McDonald, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. "Within only a few years, child pornography has become a multi-billion dollar commercial enterprise, and is among the fastest growing businesses on the Internet. Digital technology has made child pornography easy to produce and commercialize. With CIBC's leadership and support, we are taking a major step forward in the fight against child pornography. By helping raise awareness, we will increase the personal safety of children and reduce the chances they will be sexually abused or exploited."

Kids in the Know is an interactive program that engages, empowers and educates kids about their personal safety and reducing their risk of sexual exploitation. It also guides parents and teachers towards helping children learn the importance of having clear personal boundaries so that children can become more aware of potentially dangerous situations.

Canadians of all ages can help in the fight against child exploitation and abuse. Here's how:

About the Canadian Centre for Child Protection

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children. Its goal is to reduce child victimization by providing programs and services to the Canadian public.

The service was incorporated in April 1985 as Child Find Manitoba following the disappearance and murder of 13-year-old Candace Derksen. Candace's mother, Wilma, created the organization to provide the essential services that her family didn't have access to throughout and following her daughter's disappearance. Over the past 20 years, Child Find Manitoba has grown to provide national intervention, education, and prevention programs. On May 25, 2006, International Missing Children's Day, the organization was renamed the Canadian Centre for Child Protection to more accurately reflect its national role in the protection of children.

About CIBC

CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference in communities through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health, and employee commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, United Way and the CIBC World Markets Children's Foundation, we are investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In 2007, CIBC group of companies contributed more than $36 million worldwide to charitable organizations and community initiatives. Of this, $27 million was invested in Canada to support national, regional and local organizations. To learn more, visit www.cibc.com/pas


For more information, contact Doug Maybee, Director, External Communications and Media Relations, CIBC, Tel: 416-980-7458, doug.maybee@cibc.com