New branch reflects revitalization of historic Old Queen Street East

    TORONTO, Aug. 27 /CNW/ - The 1880s were an exciting time for Toronto,
already a bustling industrial centre. With the introduction of electric light
and electric streetcars, a busy harbour, important new train connections, and
major construction projects like Queen's Park, Toronto was enjoying an
exciting era of growth and prosperity. It was in this setting that, in 1885,
TD - then known as The Dominion Bank - established a branch at Queen and
Sherbourne at the heart of Victorian Toronto.
    With a nod to its historic ties to the Old Queen Street East community,
TD Canada Trust today announced its commitment to the area's future with the
grand opening of a new branch located at 363 Queen Street East to serve Regent
Park, Corktown and the surrounding community.
    First announced in March, 2006, the news of the new branch was celebrated
as part of the current restoration and revitalization of the entire area,
which includes the rebuilding of Regent Park in the north, and the massive
West Don Development project along the banks of the Don River which will see
new housing constructed on unutilized land.
    "This branch is located in Corktown, which is a unique neighbourhood
close to the downtown and rich with historic significance. This community is
currently undergoing an exciting revitalization with new developments and new
families adding to the vibrancy of the area," said Pam McConnell, Councillor,
Ward 28, City of Toronto. "This TD Canada Trust branch will be a great
addition to this wonderful community."
    "TD has ties to the Old Queen Street East community dating back to 1885
and we're excited about being an important part of its future," said Jean-Paul
Durdos, Branch Manager. "With so much renewal happening at our doorstep, we're
really pleased to be bringing TD's comfortable brand of service to the
neighbourhood, including the active and close-knit residents of Regent Park."
    Pam McConnell, City of Toronto Councillor for Ward 28 was on hand at the
branch to celebrate the grand opening along with TD Canada Trust's Suellen
Wiles, Senior Vice President; David James, District Vice President and
Jean-Paul Durdos, Branch Manager.
    Those in attendance also enjoyed a display of works by students of
ArtHeart, a not-for-profit arts centre that originated in Regent Park to
provide an open, supportive environment that uses the arts to foster creative
thinking, self-reliance and entrepreneurship among children, youth and adults.
A cheque in the amount of $10,000 from TD Canada Trust was presented to the
ArtHeart Community Art Centre.
    The new branch offers a full array of personal and small business
products and services with a team of Financial Service Representatives and
access to a professional TD Waterhouse Financial Planner dedicated to helping
customers meet their financial goals. The new 4,800 square foot branch has
been designed and built taking into consideration the accessibility needs of
our customers and features a full-service Green Machine ABM which is available
24 hours per day.
    Branch hours are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Wednesday; 8:00 am to
8:00 pm, Thursday and Friday and 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday.

    About TD Bank Financial Group

    The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as
TD Bank Financial Group. TD Bank Financial Group serves more than 14 million
customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key
financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking,
including TD Canada Trust; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an
investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking through TD
Banknorth; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD Bank Financial
Group also ranks among the world's leading on-line financial services firms,
with more than 4.5 million on-line customers. The Bank had $404 billion in
assets as of July 31, 2007. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the Toronto
and New York Stock Exchanges under the symbol "TD", as well as on the Tokyo
Stock Exchange.

    Photos and chronology of Corktown attached:

    1797            Upper Canada's first parliament buildings were erected at
                    Front St. and Parliament St.

    Early 1800's    Corktown was originally settled by Irish immigrants from
                    County Cork.

    1812            The parliament buildings were burned down in the War of
                    1812.

    1832            Gooderham and Worts distillery founded

    1843            Little Trinity Church built.

    1848            Enoch Turner Trinity Schoolhouse was built - Toronto's
                    first free school.

    1885            Dominion Bank branch opened at Queen Street East and
                    Sherbourne Street.

    1889            Dominion Hotel founded.

    1904            Bank of Toronto branch opened at Queen Street East and
                    Parliament Street.

    1906            Dominion Bank branch opened at Queen Street East and
                    Broadview Avenue.

    1921            Dominion Bank branch opened at Cherry Street and
                    Commissioners Street.

    Late 1940's     Regent Park social housing project built

    Early 1960's    Parts of Corktown were demolished to make way for the
                    Richmond Street off-ramp from the Don Valley Parkway and
                    the Eastern Avenue Overpass.

    2005            Regent Park - 1st phase begins on plans to demolish and
                    rebuild Regent Park.

    2007            Construction starts on the revitalization project of the
                    West Don Lands.

    2007            TD Canada Trust branch opens at Queen Street East and
                    Parliament Street.

    /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on
    the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca.
    Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive
    website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited
    members of the media/

For further information: Christa Poole, TD Bank Financial Group, (416)
308-0177, christa.poole@td.com; Jean-Paul Durdos, Branch Manager, TD Canada
Trust, (416) 364-8977 x250