MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(MARKET WIRE)--Oct 12, 2006 -- Michel Tremblay, Senior Vice-President - Personal Banking and Wealth Management at National Bank of Canada (TSX:NA.TO - News) was chosen by Canadian Business magazine as Canada's leading executive in its Top in Sales category.

For the past five years, Canadian Business has chosen Canada's top six managers in the following categories: Top CEO, Most Innovative CEO, Top CFO, Top in Operations, Top CIO, Top in Sales. Selection is based on research conducted by a panel of financial experts on the performance of companies on the S&P/TSX composite index and their senior executives.

Mr. Tremblay's outstanding leadership, sense of innovation and role in achieving the Bank's results were instrumental in earning him the title of top manager in his category. Since taking over as head of the Personal Banking and Wealth Management business line in 2002, Mr. Tremblay has succeeded in mobilizing his teams and giving fresh impetus to this sector that has generated positive results, including a 25% improvement in customer satisfaction. The Wealth Management division's dynamic and innovative approach has been duly rewarded with sharply higher sales of mutual funds and structured products and a four-fold jump in private investment management assets, which have soared from $1 billion to $5 billion in a short time.

Mr. Tremblay, who joined National Bank in 1998 as President of Natcan Investment Management, manages and guides all retail banking operations. He is responsible for the Bank's network of branches, its various partnership agreements, insurance and wealth management as well as electronic payment operations. In addition, he is Chairman of the Board of National Bank Trust, National Bank Securities, Altamira Financial Services, National Bank Direct Brokerage, National Bank Life Insurance Company, and Natcan Investment Management.

Photos taken at the award ceremony and Mr. Tremblay's biographical notes are available on request. Please contact the undersigned for an electronic copy.

About National Bank of Canada

National Bank of Canada is an integrated group which provides comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core market, while offering specialized services to its clients elsewhere in the world. The National Bank offers a full array of banking services, including retail, corporate and investment banking. It is an active player on international capital markets and, through its subsidiaries, is involved in securities brokerage, insurance and wealth management as well as mutual fund and retirement plan management. National Bank has close to $109 billion in assets and, together with its subsidiaries, employs 17,183 people. The Bank's securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA: TSX). For more information, visit the Bank's website at www.nbc.ca.

The telephone number provided below is for the exclusive use of journalists and other media representatives.

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Contacts:
National Bank of Canada
Josee Lagace
Public Relations
514-394-6500

Source: NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA

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