General Trust adopts new name

General Trust, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Bank since 1993, has officially changed its name to include that of its parent company. In so doing, National Bank Trust has further strengthened its alliance with the impressive financial group which the National Bank has now become. The name change is also consistent with the National Bank's marketing strategy of presenting a standardized image that makes it easier for consumers to recognize the various services and product lines it has to offer.

"This new name doesn't affect our commitment to our clients in any way," stressed Pierre Desbiens, President of National Bank Trust. "As one of Quebec's leading trust companies with over $45 billion in assets under administration, we intend to continue offering the same quality service as we have in the past. Our objective is simply to integrate our trust products and services more effectively into the National Bank's product offering."

National Bank Trust offers a range of services to both individual and business clients. Its Individual Services sector favours a disciplined investment approach as part of a comprehensive trust and financial plan based on a solid, long-term relationship. This sector offers clients three main product lines, namely, private investment management, trust administration and estate settlement services. Private investment management is among the types of products likely to experience phenomenal growth according to several economists and demographic experts as the number of wealthy clients continues to climb each year.

"Needless to say, the National Bank intends to make private investment management a priority in the years ahead. And now, thanks to the name change, advisors in the branches will be able to offer their clients our many wealth management services, without clients feeling that they are being referred to another institution," Mr. Desbiens explained.  "In fact, although our affiliation with the Bank has never changed, clients who visited the branches always had the impression that they were dealing with another institution."

The Corporate Trust Services sector, for its part, offers complete business solutions to companies of all sizes. Its extensive line of services includes group retirement plans, share ownership plans, administration and safekeeping of securities and mutual fund administration.

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