CIBC’s predecessor bank, The Canadian Bank of Commerce, opened the doors of its inaugural branch in downtown Toronto 140 years ago this week.

Before the end of that first year in 1867, an additional three branches, in London, Barrie and St. Catharines, were added and the company’s assets had expanded to almost $3 million.

From those early beginnings, CIBC has grown into a leading North American financial institution with assets of more than $300 billion. Today, approximately 40,000 employees serve the financial needs of 11 million clients at 1053 Canadian branches and offices in Canada, the United States and around the world.

To mark this anniversary milestone and recognize the start of CIBC’s annual Diversity Month, CIBC will hold a lunchtime celebration in Toronto’s Commerce Court on June 1.

This event will kickoff a month of client and community initiatives that focus on diversity and culture.

“A culturally diverse and inclusive workforce is one of CIBC’s strongest business assets,” said Gerry McCaughey, CIBC’s president and CEO. “Employing people who are representative of the clients and the communities we serve has been a critical part of our success during the last 140 years 00 and it will remain a key focus for us in the future.”