TORONTO, Jan. 13 /CNW/ - TD Securities has won the 2010 Financial Times and Mergermarket M&A Award for Financial Advisor of the Year in the Canada region.

The investment dealer arm of TD Bank Group significantly increased its share of the Canadian M&A market in 2010 and participated in 47 transactions, 15 more deals than the year before and the most of any Canadian financial advisor.

"Canadian M&A activity in 2010 basically remained flat relative to the previous year, both in terms of value and number of transactions," said Pat Meneley, Vice Chair of Investment Banking, TD Securities. "To considerably grow our business in a flat market environment is very satisfying."

Examining both M&A transaction data from mergermarket.com and independent expert opinion, the Financial Times and Mergermarket M&A Awards consider the number and size of transactions announced in 2010, and recognize particular deals, companies and people within a wider geographic or market context.

TD Securities also showed strength in each of the key sectors in which they are involved, led by very strong years in energy and in media and communications. The addition of a robust global precious metals sales and trading desk to bolster their mining sector investment banking business rounded out an excellent year for the dealer.

To underscore this strength and diversification, TD Securities advised on 5 of the top 10 deals involving Canadian targets in 2010, including transactions in the energy, communications and financial services sectors.

"With little market growth, 2010 was a very competitive year," added Bill Quinn, Head of M&A for TD Securities. "By applying our integrated client-focused approach, we were able to win significant market share and provide outstanding advice and strategic solutions to our clients on some of the largest transactions of the year."

About TD Bank Group

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group (TD or the Bank). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves approximately 19 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 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 also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with more than 6 million online customers. TD had C$620 billion in assets on October 31, 2010. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.