National Bank discount brokerage's Express mode brokerage now available to investors outside Quebec

Montreal, 12 July 2001 - 

The Ontario and British Columbia Securities Commissions have just given National Bank Discount Brokerage the green light to offer its Express mode brokerage service outside Quebec.

Autonomous investors in these two provinces can now choose a brokerage mode that enables them to do their stock market transactions directly on the trading floor through electronic media (Internet, cell phone, etc.), without first having a representative check the suitability of their trade orders versus their investment goals and risk tolerance. Quebec investors have been able to use this brokerage mode since January 2001. Investors in other provinces where the firm operates will be able to access Express mode brokerage as soon as each province's regulatory authorities give their approval.

National Bank Discount Brokerage's Express mode meets the needs of investors who prefer to rely on their own investment knowledge. With this mode, trade orders are sent straight to the markets, providing clients with direct and faster access - a significant advantage, especially during periods of high stock price volatility. Furthermore, Express mode brokerage offers additional savings on certain trades.

According to Yves G. Breton, President of National Bank Discount Brokerage, investors' increasing use of the Internet is an important factor in making them more autonomous: "Today's investors can access an impressive amount of financial data on the Internet, which is why more and more of them want to do their own trading. While Express mode brokerage is perfect for the needs of this type of investor, it's not for everyone. That is why we will continue to offer Direct mode brokerage to clients who prefer to rely on the services of a representative to check the suitability of their trades."

National Bank Discount Brokerage Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Bank of Canada, has been a trusted brokerage firm for more than 130,000 investors in Canada and around the world for more than 10 years. It offers a broad range of financial products and investment instruments that can be traded through a variety of transaction systems.

National Bank of Canada is an integrated group whose mission is to provide 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. The National Bank offers a full array of banking services, including all the investment banking services required by large corporations. 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. The National Bank has assets of over $76 billion and, together with its subsidiaries, it employs over 16,700 people. The Bank's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

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