QUEBEC CITY, Feb. 11 /CNW Telbec/ - It was 150 years ago that TD opened its first branch in Quebec. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, TD will be presenting a selection of Quebec art, from its own collection, at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ), until March 28, 2010. From Pellan to Ferron. A Selection of Works by Quebec Artists from the TD Collection provides a brief overview of Quebec paintings from 1950 to 1980, exhibiting 12 works and 11 artists, including Paul-Émile Borduas, Alfred Pellan, Marcelle Ferron, Jean McEwen, Guido Molinari and Claude Tousignant.

"TD is recognized as an institution that is very much involved in the community, and the 150th anniversary of our presence in Quebec gives us the perfect opportunity to share our passion for art with all Quebecers," said Bernard Dorval, Group Head, Insurance and Global Development, TD Bank Financial Group. "It brings us great pleasure to be presenting a selection of works by Quebec artists from our Canadian contemporary art collection," he added.

This exhibition is presented as part of a three-year partnership with the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec. This partnership will support the museum's cultural program and strengthen TD's commitment to the arts community.

The TD collection: An important symbol for employees, clients and partners

Started in 1962 by Allen Thomas Lambert, then chairman of the Bank, the collection was originally intended to decorate the Bank's head office. Some five years later, on Mr. Lambert's initiative, the Bank acquired approximately 1,000 pieces of Inuit artwork, which at the time was the most complete collection of its kind in existence. Since then, TD's collection has continued to grow with a constant regard for quality. Thanks to a collection that today brings together more than 5,000 works from artists from around the country, TD is pleased to contribute to the preservation of Canada's and Quebec's artistic heritage.

About TD Bank Financial Group

2010 marks the 150th anniversary of TD Bank Financial Group (TDBFG) in Quebec. TDBFG has built on a long tradition of quality client service and community involvement that dates back to the opening of the first branch of the Bank of Toronto in Quebec in 1860. Today, TDBFG's Quebec presence includes over 4,000 employees and 125 offices and points of service, as well as significant investments in community programs.

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Financial Group. TD Bank Financial Group is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves more than 18 million customers in four key sectors operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Insurance; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD Bank Financial Group also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 6 million online customers. TD Bank Financial Group had CDN$557 billion in assets on October 31, 2009. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.