Atlantic Trust Recognized for Excellence in Investments for Fourth Straight Year

Firm named Best Multi-Family Office-Overall-New Product by Private Asset Management magazine

NEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Atlantic Trust, the U.S. private wealth management division of CIBC (CM: NYSE) (CM: TSX), has been recognized by Private Asset Management (PAM), a leading financial services industry trade publication, as Best Multi-Family Office—Overall—New Product for the firm's "AT Income Opportunities Fund" (NYSE: AWIIX). The 2015 PAM Awards were announced February 2 at a ceremony in New York.

"This is the fourth consecutive year that PAM has recognized Atlantic Trust's investment success, a reflection of our firm's unwavering commitment to investment excellence," said Eric Propper, president of Atlantic Trust. "This particular award highlights our new AT Income Opportunities Fund, which our investment team designed to meet our client needs for growth of income from portfolios with lower volatility. It's an investment strategy in which we have strong internal expertise."

The AT Income Opportunities Fund launched July 1, 2014 and seeks to generate high levels of current income from investing in multiple income-oriented asset classes and grow income in excess of inflation while striving for lower volatility as compared to pure equity strategies.

Atlantic Trust's philosophy is based upon a strong belief that equity investments in high-quality companies, defined as those with the highest profit margins, favorable industry dynamics, reasonable financial leverage and strong capital management discipline should deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns over time. The Fund is co-managed by Brant Houston, CFA, and Gary Pzegeo, CFA and is supported by a team of three dedicated investment professionals and the Atlantic Trust equity and fixed income research teams.

PAM annually invites firms to compete for awards in several categories which are reviewed by a panel of independent industry experts. PAM considers the following criteria when selecting the winners of these awards:

• Financial progress: Candidates must be able to demonstrate performance track-records over the course of the last twelve months
• Growth: Client numbers, internal hires and geographic expansion
• Client satisfaction: Provide evidence of client satisfaction, including anecdotes and direct client statements
• Product innovation: Details of new services and products launched over the course of the year prior to the award date

This award follows Atlantic Trust's previous PAM wins as Best Multi Family Office—Client Service and Best Private Wealth Manager—New Product in 2014, Best Wealth Manager: Long-Term Performance (3 years) in 2013, Best Private Client Investment Platform—Performance in 2012 and Best Private Wealth Manager in Overall Client Service in 2011.

Any reference to a ranking, a rating or an award provides no guarantee of future performance results, and is not necessarily indicative of any particular client's experience and is not constant over time.

Private Asset Management (PAM) annually invites firms to compete for awards in several categories. Each year a panel of independent industry experts selects the nominees and winners, considering the following criteria: 1) Financial progress: Candidates must be able to demonstrate performance track-records over the course of the last twelve months; 2) Growth: Client numbers, internal hires and geographic expansion; 3) Client satisfaction: Provide evidence of client satisfaction; 4) Product innovation: Details of new services and products launched over the course of the year prior to the year the award is given. For more information, visit www.pammagazine.com.

In 2014, Atlantic Trust was selected by PAM for the award of "Best Private Wealth Manager - New Product." The detailed information provided by Atlantic Trust for the award included information on a mutual fund that Atlantic Trust launched in 2013. Three firms were shortlisted for this award and Atlantic Trust was the only firm selected for the recognition. In 2014, Atlantic Trust was selected by PAM for the award of "Best Multi-Family Office - Client Service - Over $2.5 Billion." The detailed information provided by Atlantic Trust for the award included information on both internal and external strategies. Five firms were shortlisted for this award and Atlantic Trust was the only firm selected for the recognition.

In 2013, Atlantic Trust was selected by PAM for the award of "Best Wealth Manager: Long-Term Performance (3 years). The detailed information provided by Atlantic Trust for the award included information on both internal and external strategies. Of the six firms shortlisted by PAM in this category, Atlantic Trust was the only firm selected for the award.

In 2012, Atlantic Trust was selected by PAM for the award of "Best Private Client Investment Platform—Performance" based on information provided by Atlantic Trust. Ten firms entered the category for this award and four firms were shortlisted, of which Atlantic Trust was the only firm selected for the award. In response to PAM's question about "how [we] have developed our [investment] offering in 2011" regarding "product innovation, performance and how [we] dealt with the challenges of the last year," Atlantic Trust provided an overview of our investment approach and recent asset allocation recommendations, as well as highlights of proprietary performance. Atlantic Trust provided detailed performance information for the Atlantic Trust Disciplined Equity Strategy. Atlantic Trust did not provide detailed performance information with respect to the more than 50 other proprietary and externally managed strategies available on our platform. Thus, the reference to "investment platform—performance" in the award should not be misconstrued as suggesting that PAM conducted a comprehensive review of all of the strategies on our platform.

In 2011, of the five firms shortlisted by PAM for the "Best Private Wealth Manager in Overall Client Service" rating, Atlantic Trust was the only firm selected for the award.

About Atlantic Trust

Atlantic Trust is one of the nation's leading private wealth management firms, offering integrated wealth management for high-net-worth individuals, families, foundations and endowments. The firm considers clients' financial, trust, estate planning and philanthropic needs in developing customized asset allocation and investment management strategies. Experienced professionals deliver a broad range of solutions, including proprietary investment offerings and a robust open architecture platform of traditional and alternative managers. Atlantic Trust operates in 12 full-service locations throughout the U.S. with $25.9 billion in assets under management (as of October 31, 2014). For more information, visit www.atlantictrust.com.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution. Through our Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking businesses, CIBC provides a full range of financial products to individual, small business, commercial, corporate and institutional clients in Canada and around the world. CIBC owns a 41 percent equity interest in American Century Investments®, a major U.S. asset management company, serving financial intermediaries, institutions and individuals, and acquired Atlantic Trust, a premier U.S. private wealth management firm, in January 2014. You can find other news releases and information about CIBC in our Media Centre on our corporate website at www.cibc.com.

SOURCE Atlantic Trust Private Wealth Management