After five years at the helm of Citizens Bank of Canada, Linda Crompton is resigning as the Bank’s president and CEO, effective June 15, 2001.

Crompton was the first female CEO of a Canadian bank. She VanCity in 1987 and was appointed president and CEO of Citizens Trust in 1996. She led the creation of Citizens Bank and became president and CEO of both institutions in 1997.

“Part of leadership is being able to recognize when it is time to step aside,” says Crompton. “The skill sets required to build a bank from the ground up, as compared to growing an established business, are very different. I’m proud of what we’ve built. There’s no other bank like Citizens in Canada. And I’m confident that it will continue to play an important role in the future of the VanCity Group of Companies.”

Effective June 15, 2001 Ian Warner, Citizens Bank’s senior vice president, treasury and credit, will become the bank’s acting president and CEO. Mr. Warner joined Citizens Trust in 1992 and plays a key role in the bank’s profitable financial performance and the development of financial products in compliance with the bank’s Ethical Policy.