- New branch expands TD's presence in GTA Asian Community

- Open seven days a week, serving customers in three languages - Cantonese, Mandarin and English

- $100,000 donation to local communities

TORONTO, Dec. 9, 2011 /CNW/ - Following a traditional Chinese lion dance symbolizing luck and a prosperous future, TD Canada Trust opened its largest branch in the Greater Toronto Area's Chinatown today. The new renovated branch marks TD's continued commitment to Toronto's diverse Asian community - one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods that make up the city's landscape.

Located at 247 Spadina Avenue (corner of Dundas Street), the new branch is a two-story, full service branch open seven days a week and includes an open concept design, with high-tech digital displays, customer lounge and other special features to enhance the banking experience.

"We're thrilled to celebrate the opening of our new branch with Sunday banking hours in the heart of the Chinese business community in downtown Toronto, near Spadina and Dundas, says Helen Chan, Branch Manager and Director, Asian Banking GTA, TD Canada Trust.  "This new branch demonstrates TD's ongoing commitment to Toronto's vibrant multicultural community."

Features of the new branch include:

• A two-story open concept design that helps TD serve customers better by moving financial specialists out from behind desks directly in front of customers. The new branch is 15,000 square feet.
  
  
• A web kiosk welcomes customers to surf the web and check their accounts on EasyWeb and WebBroker.
  
  
• Staff who are fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese
  
  
• A customer lounge with a tea station lets customers wait in comfort if they arrive early for an appointment or are waiting for their friends or family to complete their banking.
  
  
• A community boardroom designed for use by groups of customers including families, businesses and not-for-profit groups. This room is available free-of-charge and includes business services such as a phone conference, laptop or USB synching capabilities, LCD TV projector, whiteboard and a printer.
  
  
• Digital displays mounted throughout the branch to provide customers with information about TD products and services.

"The new features of the branch will really make the banking experience more comfortable for all our customers, whether they're here for their everyday banking needs or to meet with an advisor or to inquire about a product or service," says Chan.

In addition to the grand-opening festivities, TD Bank Group donated $100,000 shared between three local organizations:

• Alexandra Park Community Centre - to support their youth mentorship program and to assist with renovations to help make the community centre a place welcome place to visit
  
  
• Toronto Public Library - to expand the current selection of Chinese language materials at the Sanderson Branch in the Scadding Court area
  
  
• Chinatown Business Improvement Area - to hire interns who will assist with the implementation and execution of the planned Chinatown revitalization projects

Ed Clark, Group President and CEO, TD Bank Group, Heather Ross, Senior Vice President, Greater Toronto Area, TD Canada Trust, Councilor Adam Vaughan, Ward 20 Trinity Spadina and others were in attendance to celebrate the grand opening festivities and cheque presentations to the local community organizations.

The new branch is wheelchair accessible and features four full-service Green Machine ATMs which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It also offers a full array of personal and small business products and services as well as many everyday banking and investment advice.

As part of TD Canada Trust's extended hours, branch hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

About TD Canada Trust

TD Canada Trust offers personal and business banking to more than 11.5 million customers. We provide a wide range of products and services from chequing and savings accounts, to credit cards, mortgages and business banking, to credit protection and travel medical insurance, as well as advice on managing everyday finances. TD Canada Trust makes banking comfortable with award-winning service and convenience through 24/7 mobile, internet, telephone and ATM banking, as well as in over 1,100 branches, with convenient hours to serve customers better. For more information, please visit: www.tdcanadatrust.com. TD Canada Trust is the Canadian retail bank of TD Bank Group, the sixth largest bank in North America.

Image with caption: "TD Bank presents $100,000 donation to three recipients - Toronto Public Library, Alexandra Park Community Centre and Chinatown Business Improvement Area - at the opening of its flagship branch in Chinatown located at 247 Spadina Ave. Open seven days a week and serving customers in three languages - Cantonese, Mandarin and English - Ed Clark, Group President and CEO, TD Bank Group, highlighted TD's commitment to the Asian Community. In the photo, from left to right: Alexandra Park Community Gate recipient, Heather Ross, SVP, Greater Toronto Area, TD Canada Trust, Nick Chant, DVP, Bloor South District, TD Canada Trust, Toronto Public Library recipient, Helen Chan, Branch Manager and Director, Asian Banking, GTA, Chinatown Business Improvement Area recipient, Adam Vaughan, Toronto City Councilor, Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina, Ed Clark, Group President and CEO, TD Bank Group. (CNW Group/TD Canada Trust)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111209_C5586_PHOTO_EN_8117.jpg