EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Jul 7, 2016) - (TSX:CWB) - Chris Fowler, President and Chief Executive Officer, is pleased to announce three new appointments to CWB's executive team. This follows the planned retirements of Randy Garvey, Executive Vice President, Corporate Services, and Greg Sprung, Executive Director, Business Development, who will support the transition until August 31, 2016.

Stephen Murphy, CWB's Executive Vice President, Banking, joined CWB in March 2016. He previously held diverse, progressive business and corporate leadership roles during his 20 year tenure at a large Canadian bank. Stephen is responsible for CWB's business and personal banking, product development, marketing, equipment financing, and corporate lending. He will also oversee CWB's specialized finance businesses: CWB Optimum Mortgage, National Leasing, CWB Maxium Financial and CWB Franchise Finance.

"Stephen brings extensive relevant experience, excellent leadership capabilities and a proven ability to deliver on business objectives," said Mr. Fowler. "We're very excited to bring him on board to support our established commercial banking strategy, as well as the complementary growth of personal banking and wealth management."

Effective July 1, 2016, Darrell Jones and Glen Eastwood have moved into newly restructured executive positions. Darrell, who previously led the information services team as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Glen, who previously led the prairies region as Senior Vice President and Regional General Manager, has been appointed Executive Vice President, Business Transformation.

"Darrell's appointment demonstrates the importance of technology in our growth plans. The opportunity to leverage our recently implemented new core banking system to deliver enhanced functionality to support clients while improving our data management capacity and capabilities is significant," said Mr. Fowler. "During his time with CWB, Darrell has helped position us for future growth by re-shaping our approach to technology. This appointment reflects his important contributions to date, as well as our vision for CWB's future."

Glen will provide leadership for a strategic focus on process improvements that enhance efficiencies to support delivery of exceptional client service within our branch network. He will also oversee CWB Wealth Management and Canadian Western Trust, with a focus on developing these business lines to realize more multi-product client relationships.

"Glen's commitment to process improvement and excellent client experience, coupled with his ability to get things done, make him ideal for this new role," said Mr. Fowler. "With the implementation of our new core banking system comes the opportunity to look strategically at how we manage our business as we prepare for our next phase of growth. There is significant work to be done to realize the benefits we have in front of us, and I'm confident that Glen is the right leader to guide this work."

"As we continue to develop our established commercial banking strategy and diversify our geographic footprint, it's critical that we have the right leadership team in place," said Mr. Fowler. "We are determined to build on CWB's unique client experience, support our culture, and deliver long-term value for shareholders. In their new roles, Stephen Murphy, Darrell Jones and Glen Eastwood will help us achieve these goals and I welcome them to our Executive Committee alongside Carolyn Graham, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Kelly Blackett, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Communications, and Bogie Ozdemir, Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer."

For detailed information about CWB's executive team visit www.cwb.com/executive-team.

About CWB Group

CWB Group (CWB) is a diversified financial services organization serving businesses and individuals across Canada. Operating from its headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta, CWB's key business lines include full-service business and personal banking offered through 42 CWB branches and Internet banking services provided by Canadian Direct Financial. Highly responsive specialized financing is delivered under the banners of CWB Equipment Financing, National Leasing, CWB Maxium Financial, CWB Franchise Finance and CWB Optimum Mortgage. Trust Services are offered through Canadian Western Trust. Comprehensive wealth management offerings are provided through CWB Wealth Management, which includes the businesses of Adroit Investment Management, McLean & Partners Wealth Management and Canadian Western Financial. As a public company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), CWB trades under the symbols "CWB" (common shares) and "CWB.PR.B" (Series 5 Preferred Shares). Learn more at www.cwb.com.