MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Aug. 27, 2012) -

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For the first time, National Bank joined forces this year with the Valleyfield Triathlon. As the official presenter of the 10^th edition of this event, National Bank also enlisted the help of its branch network to sell tickets for the Loterie Santé des Canards. National Bank is proud to donate, through these two activities, $32,000 that will help the Fondation de l'Hôpital du Suroît to maintain high-quality medical and diagnostic services for residents of this region in southwestern Quebec.

Cheered on by a large and enthusiastic crowd, more than 1400 participants, including 317 youngsters age 5 to 15, took part in the triathlon held in Delpha-Sauvé Park in Valleyfield on August 26. Both novice and seasoned triathletes alike rose to the challenge of swimming, biking and running for a great cause.

"By presenting the triathlon, National Bank is contributing to the success of a family-friendly event that benefits the entire community," explained Jean-François Magloire, Regional Manager - Western Montérégie for the Bank. "In addition to the Bank sponsoring the junior triathlon and the family area on the competition site, employees from our branches and the Western Montérégie Regional Centre helped sell 1,700 lottery tickets to benefit the Fondation de l'Hôpital du Suroît."

National Bank has a strong presence in southwestern Quebec. With about 156 employees, some 11 branches and millions of dollars granted in financing, the Bank plays a leading role in the area's economic development. The Bank is also committed to the region's social development by financially supporting community activities such as the Valleyfield Triathlon. National Bank is truly proud to contribute to both the physical and financial health of southwestern Quebec residents.

Every year, through its donations and sponsorships program and the initiatives of its employees, National Bank helps support 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, consult its Social Responsibility Report at [ www.nbc.ca/socialresponsibility ].

About National Bank of Canada

With $176 billion in assets as at April 30, 2012, National Bank of Canada ([ www.nbc.ca ]), together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups, and was named among the five strongest banks in the world by Bloomberg Markets. The Bank has close to 20,000 employees and is widely recognized as a top employer. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:NA). Follow the Bank's activities via social media and learn more about its extensive community involvement at [ clearfacts.ca ] and [ commitment.nationalbank.ca ].

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