Ms. Sandra Popik reports

CIBC EXPANDS SUPPORT FOR SKILLED TRADES THROUGH NEW NATIONAL INITIATIVES

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) has rolled out new initiatives with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF) and Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. (Castle) to further support apprentices, skilled trades professionals and business owners across Canada.

Together, these initiatives will expand access to specialized banking offers, financial literacy resources, industry research and scholarship support for the skilled trades community.

"Skilled trades professionals play an essential role in building and strengthening communities across Canada," said Sandra Rondzik Popik, vice-president, personal and business banking, CIBC. "Through these initiatives, CIBC is broadening access to specialized banking support, financial education and opportunities designed to help apprentices, tradespeople and business owners achieve their ambitions."

Through its work with CAF, CIBC supported the 2026 National Apprenticeship Conference as the opening banquet sponsor and contributed to research focused on the opportunities and challenges facing apprentices and the broader skilled trades work force. CAF members will also have access to exclusive banking offers and financial education resources through the member advantage program, including specialized everyday banking solutions, select credit card offers, tailored advice and financial literacy resources.

"Building Canada's skilled trades work force requires strong partnerships between industry, employers and the apprenticeship community," said France Daviault, chief executive officer of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. "We're pleased to work together with CIBC on initiatives that support employers, strengthen apprenticeship and contribute to a skilled work force for Canada's future. CIBC's support of our National Apprenticeship Conference, our research and the CAF membership advantage program demonstrates a meaningful commitment to Canada's skilled trades community."

Working with Castle, CIBC is introducing a skilled trades scholarship that helps provide financing support to students and apprentices during the early stages of their career. In addition, the initiative will provide skilled trades professionals in communities across Canada with access to tailored banking offers and specialized advice to help tradespeople at every stage of growing their business.

"Skilled trades professionals play a vital role in building, revitalizing, and strengthening communities across Canada," said Scott Kaluzny, vice-president of finance, Castle. "We are proud to work with CIBC in this joint initiative to support students pursuing rewarding careers in the trades and help ensure the future strength of our industry nationwide."

CIBC's support for the skilled trades sector spans key milestones, from apprenticeship and early career development through to business ownership and growth.

Since launching its skilled trades banking offer in 2024, CIBC has continued to broaden its support for the sector, including the introduction of a dedicated business banking solution in 2025 tailored to skilled trades business owners. Earlier this year, the bank expanded its support through initiatives with organizations such as Taskrabbit, helping connect more skilled trades professionals with specialized banking solutions and advice.

About Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 15 million personal banking, business, public-sector and institutional clients. Across personal and business banking, commercial banking, wealth management, and capital markets, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world.