"We are very focussed on getting newcomers," Venki Raman, the bank's regional associate vice-president, told Focus. "Many newcomers are coming to Canada from South Asia, and we're focussed on getting them settled, thus helping new Canadians establish that key first relationship."

The new package seeks to offer all that a newcomer would need. Best of all, Raman says, it offers totally free day-to-day banking for an entire year, while helping clients get on to the right financial path by helping them build up their credit rating, even as it affords them easy and convenient access to their funds and keeps it safe.

The package takes into account specific South Asian requirements. "For instance, this extends to a safety deposit box, since many South Asians come with jewelry," Raman explained.

A mortgage option also forms part of the new offering.

"In short, this is a comprehensive package designed to offer clients all they will need when they move to Canada."

Service is provided in a culturally sensitive manner. Said Raman: "I myself am a first-generation immigrant from South Asia - as my name probably suggests - and in CIBC we're attuned to the special needs of newcomers, right down to serving clients in any of a number of South Asian languages of their choice, thanks to the diversity we have in our own workforce."

Available to qualifying newcomers, the CIBC Newcomer to Canada Plan consists of:

- Free day-to-day banking for one year. By opening a CIBC Everyday Chequing Account, newcomers will not pay monthly fees nor fees on their transactions, such as withdrawals at CIBC branches and bank machines, writing cheques, paying bills and pre-authorized payments;

- Up to $45 cash back on a new Safety Deposit Box when a customer has a CIBC chequing account; and

- Streamlined mortgage approval process and low down payment options.

In addition, newcomers can take advantage of other offers available to all eligible CIBC clients, such as high interest rates with a CIBC Bonus Savings Account; and up to 1 per cent cash back on purchases made with the no-annual fee CIBC Dividend Visa Card.

"At CIBC, we understand the challenges newcomers face. The CIBC Newcomer to Canada Plan smoothes the transition to Canada by making banking simple with one package of products that provides straightforward choices as they get established here."

In recent months, the bank itself has embarked upon a multi-million dollar expansion and upgradation exercise in an effort to provide better access to potential clients across Canada.

The bank had earlier announced its intention of opening and upgrading 70 branches by 2011. Despite the ongoing global financial slowdown, this year alone it is on course to open or upgrade 40 branches.

Even as Peel's - and the GTA's - market grows, owing to the steady influx of more people choosing to call the GTA home, the bank itself has also moved towards six- and seven-day full-service banking. "Today, more than 5 per cent of our branches offer services on all seven days of the week, while more than 45 per cent of them offer six-day banking," said a bank spokesperson.

CIBC branches across the country also offer services in dozens of languages which reflect the communities they are located in, including Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, and Hindi among many others.

The bank has 1,063 branches, one of the largest branch networks in Canada. Clients can also access more than 3,800 automated bank machines, 24x7 phone banking and online services through its website, www.cibc.com