Several of Canada’s biggest banks have announced donations to the Red Cross Relief Fund in Canada to support relief and humanitarian efforts in Haiti, following Tuesday’s major earthquake.

TD Bank Financial Group, Royal Bank of Canada and CIBC Group of Companies each announced donations of $100,000 to Red Cross on Wednesday.

“We’re pitching in to help out however we can during this time of devastation,” said Frank McKenna, deputy chair of TD Bank Financial Group.

RBC noted that the most urgent needs identified by the Red Cross are for search and rescue efforts, field hospitals, emergency health services, water purification, emergency shelter, logistics and telecommunications. The bank requested that, where appropriate, its donation to the Red Cross be directed to ensuring survivors have access to clean drinking water.

“The scale of this disaster is enormous and its impact has been devastating to thousands of people and their communities,” said Gordon Nixon, president and CEO of RBC. “On behalf of our clients and employees, we are proud to support the relief effort with a donation.”

National Bank of Canada announced that it is making a corporate donation of $150,000 to Red Cross, and said it will also match all donations made by its employees and the general public through its branches, up to $100,000.

Scotiabank announced a $250,000 corporate contribution to the Red Cross fund. The bank has four branches and 80 employees in Haiti, and it noted that all employees are safe.

“Our thoughts are with the people of Haiti and [we] hope this donation will help alleviate some of the misfortune suffered during this difficult period,” said Pat Minicucci, senior vice president of international banking in the Caribbean at Scotiabank.

“We are very thankful that all of our employees are accounted for and safe,” added Minicucci. “We will work around the clock to restore access to cash and accounts as soon as possible.”

BMO Financial Group also announced a donation of $250,000 to the fund, and made a direct appeal for its employees to consider contributing.

“The devastation in Haiti is massive, and all of us at BMO are deeply saddened by the news,” Bill Downe, president and CEO of BMO Financial Group.

BMO also announced that it is assisting customers who wish to send drafts or fund transfers directly to relatives or other affected individuals or agencies in Haiti. BMO and Harris are waiving all fees or charges related to these transactions until at least Feb. 12, 2010.

Most of the banks have also opened their branches for donations to the Red Cross relief fund.

“We are trying to help facilitate donations,” said Downe. “Those wishing to make a contribution to the Red Cross can do so at BMO Bank of Montreal branches in Canada and Harris Bank branches in the United States.”

IE