MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Feb. 6, 2012) - The Energy Efficiency: Priority and Sustainable Process at National Bank¹ project was recognized at the 22nd Énergia Contest organized by the Association québécoise pour la maîtrise de l'énergie (AQME). This project, presented by National Bank and Energenia, took home top honours in the Integrated Management category.

The objective of the Énergia Contest is to reward excellence in energy efficiency achievements in Quebec. The Integrated Management category, which featured four large corporations as finalists, highlights the long-term integrated planning efforts that businesses make to improve their energy efficiency activities. With this award, the Énergia Contest recognizes the value of the Bank's global energy management vision.

"We are very proud to have our efforts rewarded with an Énergia award" said André Longpré, Manager - Building Engineering and Sustainable Development at National Bank. "National Bank's ongoing efforts to improve its environmental footprint requires a real commitment and is the true foundation of our process to control energy efficiency. This award acknowledges our practices and confirms our leadership in energy efficiency."

The objective of the Energy Efficiency: Priority and Sustainable Process at National Bank project, presented by Mr. Longpré and Robert Patenaude, President of Energenia, is to integrate energy concerns and sustainable development into the property management of National Bank's branches. Through this program, the energy intensity of branches has been reduced by over 30% while increasing the comfort level of occupants. This is just one of the many actions taken as part of the Global Energy Efficiency Plan (GEEP), set up in 2006 by the Bank.

National Bank is continually finetuning its policies and tools with a view to reducing its environmental footprint. It was the first financial institution in Quebec to obtain a LEED-CI certification for one of its branches in Lachine in August 2011. The Bank has also been certified carbon neutral since last September.

¹ Project details are available on AQME's web site at [ www.aqme.org/finalistes2011.aspx ].

About National Bank's eco-friendly practices

By using a modular space planning approach and adopting sustainable environmental practices, National Bank is committed to being an ecoresponsible leader in Quebec. A growing number of service points have been remodelled to reflect the changing needs of its clients. Furniture, glass doors and ABM front panels are a few examples of architectural components made from sustainable materials that can be reused from one branch to another. These components allow us to reduce construction waste and promote the local economy, while being modular and multipurpose. In addition, millions of KWh have been saved as a result of an innovative energy integration system in branches that centralizes energy management for more than 200 service points by using a web interface.

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 October 31, 2011, National Bank has over CDN$156 billion in assets in accordance with Canadian GAAP and, together with its subsidiaries, employs more than 19,000 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 ].

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