National Bank Experts to Speak at Export Forum 2003

As part of Export Forum 2003 which opens today, prestigious speakers from the National Bank will be giving two conferences, one on the strengthening Canadian dollar and the other on factoring. In addition, experts from the National Bank will be present at the Forum to offer advice to exporters on questions pertaining to financing and international trade.

The first conference, entitled "Toward an 80-cent dollar", will be given today at 4:00 p.m. by Yanick Desnoyers, Senior Economist of National Bank Financial, and Steve Dahan, Senior Manager – Foreign Exchange and Derivatives, of the National Bank. Together, they will discuss the economic environment, the recent upsurge in the loonie and its impact on exports.

The second conference, "Factoring: A complementary tool to traditional financing", will be held on November 13 at 2:00 p.m. Given by Christian Turenne, Financial Services Manager and Michel Leblanc Manager – Operations and Customer Service, both from NatExport, a division of the National Bank, this conference will deal with the many benefits factoring can offer a company and the security of its transactions.

"The Bank wants to play a strategic role in its clients' expansion worldwide. We are therefore very pleased to be a founding partner of this major forum on exporting. This event promotes the export sector which has been one of the drivers of the Canadian economy over the past decade and accounts for 30% of Quebec's GDP," stated Tony Meti, Senior Vice-President – Commercial Banking and International, at the National Bank.

The National Bank will also have a public access Internet terminal set up to help participants become familiar with wire transfers. This new electronic function gives companies a quick and secure method for carrying out funds transfers in Canada and abroad in any currency commonly used for international trade.

The media are invited to attend the conferences.

Who: Yanick Desnoyers, Senior Economist, National Bank Financial, Steve Dahan, Senior Manager – Foreign Exchange and Derivatives, National Bank

Topic: Toward an 80-cent dollar

When: Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Place: Palais des congrès de Montréal – Export Theatre I

Who: Michel Leblanc, Manager – Operations and Customer Service, NatExport, Christian Turenne, Financial Services Manager, NatExport

Topic: Factoring: A complementary tool to traditional financing

When: Thursday, November 13, 2003
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: Palais des congrès de Montréal – Export Theatre II

About the National Bank

National Bank of Canada is an integrated group which provides comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core market, while offering specialized services to its customers elsewhere in the world. The National Bank offers a full array of banking services, including corporate and investment banking. 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 more than $75 billion in assets and, together with its subsidiaries, employs over 17,000 people. The Bank's securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA: TSX). For more information, visit the Bank's website at www.nbc.ca.

Information (the telephone number and e-mail address provided below are for the exclusive use of journalists and other media representatives):

Denis Dubé
Director – Public Relations
National Bank of Canada
Tel.: (514) 394-8644
E-mail: denis.dube@nbc.ca