Mr. Chadwick Westlake reports

EQB WELCOMES DANIEL RETHAZY AS EVP, PERSONAL BANKING, ADDING TOP BANKING TALENT TO REIGNITE CORE BUSINESS GROWTH AND EXECUTE ON TRANSFORMATION

EQB Inc. has appointed Daniel Rethazy as executive vice-president, personal banking. Mr. Rethazy brings deep experience in Canadian banking to EQB that will accelerate momentum and unlock a new era of growth for the company's personal banking franchise, delivering a more competitive and rewarding banking experience, and a stronger and more resilient banking industry for all Canadians.

"Daniel is a generational talent in Canadian banking, and we're thrilled to welcome him to EQB," said Chadwick Westlake, president and chief executive officer. "We're a digital-first leader backed by the best talent, and Daniel joining us is another strong validation of our Challenger strategy and a clear sign that EQB is entering its biggest phase of growth -- one where we compete to fundamentally improve how Canadians save, spend, borrow and plan for their futures. Daniel brings deep operating discipline, strategic clarity, lending and regulatory perspective, and experience scaling complex organizations, all of which will be critical as we unlock our full potential and make EQ Bank a household name."

In his new role, effective April 6, 2026, Mr. Rethazy will shape a unified and integrated personal banking business. It will bring together residential lending, featuring single-family residential lending and reverse mortgages -- one of EQB's largest drivers of growth, retail and broker deposits -- and its award-winning EQ Bank digital platform that has transformed how Canadian families and small businesses save, spend and earn. Subject to EQB's announced agreement to acquire PC Financial securing required regulatory approvals, he will also oversee these incoming products, distribution channels and loyalty strategy as it becomes a cornerstone of EQ Bank personal banking. This includes managing the long-term strategic relationship with Loblaw Companies Ltd. for EQ Bank to be the exclusive banking partner for the PC Optimum program.

"EQB has a platform and an offering unlike anything else in Canadian banking, and we are just getting started," said Mr. Rethazy, EVP, personal banking. "EQB is challenging the status quo in banking and innovating at a rapid pace to deliver more choice, more value and better experiences for Canadians. There's enormous potential ahead as we unlock the full strength of the personal banking business and continue pushing the limits of what's possible for Canadians. I'm excited to work alongside EQB's exceptional executive leadership team to build on existing momentum and make the bank an even stronger force."

A proven banking innovator with deep experience in transforming and scaling future-ready banking operations

Mr. Rethazy brings nearly 20 years of leadership experience across two of Canada's largest financial institutions, with a proven record of building and leading successful businesses as well as large distribution and operational teams.

He is joining EQB from CIBC, where he served as executive vice-president, enterprise capabilities and organizational agility. Prior to that role, Mr. Rethazy served as senior vice-president of CIBC's personal lending and insurance businesses in Canada, one of the largest consumer lending operations in the country, where he steered its residential mortgage business and growth strategy. His record reflects an ability to scale core businesses and execute multiyear transformation agendas with deep operational rigour.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Rethazy held progressively senior leadership roles at TD Bank across wealth, Canadian banking and direct channels. He also served as associate principal at McKinsey & Company prior to joining TD Bank, advising global institutions on strategy, operational turnarounds and new business building. Mr. Rethazy holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Shaping EQB's next-generation banking business with new executive leadership structure

Mr. Rethazy's appointment is complemented by key enhancements to EQB's executive leadership team that further reflect the company's growing scale and ambition. Anilisa Sainani will step into the elevated role of executive vice-president and chief financial officer, expanding her mandate to include leadership of the treasury function -- a critical pillar as EQB accelerates its financing capabilities.

Darren Lorimer will be elevated to the role of executive vice-president, commercial banking, Marlene Lenarduzzi as executive vice-president and chief risk officer, and Gavin Stanley as executive vice-president and chief human resources officer. Dipti Patel, senior vice-president and chief credit officer, will join the broader executive leadership team, underscoring the growing importance of strong, independent risk oversight as the organization continues to scale and increase in complexity.

Together, these appointments underscore EQB's emergence as a true talent magnet and reinforce the depth and capability of the leadership team shaping EQB's future -- one positioned to compete at a new level to deliver a more modern, competitive banking experience for Canadians.

About EQB Inc.

EQB is a leading digital financial services company with $142-billion in combined assets under management and administration (as at Jan. 31, 2026). It offers banking services through Equitable Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary and Canada's seventh-largest bank by assets, and wealth management through ACM Advisors, a majority owned subsidiary specializing in alternative assets. As Canada's Challenger Bank, Equitable Bank has a clear mission to drive change in Canadian banking to enrich people's lives. It leverages technology to deliver exceptional personal and commercial banking experiences and services to over 800,000 customers and more than six million credit union members through its businesses. Through its digital EQ Bank platform, its customers have named it one of Canada's top banks on the Forbes World's best banks list since 2021.

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