CWB Announces Increase to NVCC Preferred Share Issue

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - March 10, 2016) -

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

Canadian Western Bank (TSX:CWB) today announced that as a result of strong investor demand for its previously announced domestic public offering of non-cumulative 5-year rate reset First Preferred Shares Series 7 (Non-Viability Contingent Capital (NVCC)) (the "Series 7 Preferred Shares"), the size of the offering has been increased to 5,600,000 shares. The gross proceeds of the offering will now be $140 million. The offering will be underwritten on a bought deal basis by a syndicate led by National Bank Financial Inc. The expected closing date is on or about March 31, 2016.

Net proceeds from the offering will be added to CWB's capital base and used for general corporate purposes and are expected to qualify as Tier 1 capital for CWB. The offering will be completed by way of short form prospectus to be filed in all provinces and territories of Canada.

The Series 7 Preferred Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under any state securities laws, and may not be offered, sold, directly or indirectly, or delivered within the United States of America and its territories and possessions or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of such Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States.

About Canadian Western Bank Group

CWB Group (CWB) is a diversified financial services organization serving businesses and individuals across Canada. Operating from its headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta, CWB's key business lines include full-service business and personal banking offered through 41 branches of Canadian Western Bank and Internet banking services provided by Canadian Direct Financial (CDF). Highly responsive specialized financing is delivered under the banners of CWB Equipment Financing, National Leasing, CWB Maxium Financial and CWB Optimum Mortgage. Trust Services are offered through Canadian Western Trust. Comprehensive wealth management offerings are provided through CWB Wealth Management, which includes the businesses of Adroit Investment Management, McLean & Partners Wealth Management and Canadian Western Financial. As a public company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), CWB trades under the symbols "CWB" (common shares) and "CWB.PR.B" (Series 5 Preferred Shares). Learn more at www.cwb.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of completion and the use of proceeds of the offering. These statements are based on current expectations and are inherently subject to significant risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances, many of which are beyond the control of the Bank. These risks include, but are not limited to, the failure or delay in satisfying any of the conditions to the completion of the offering. Except as required by law, the Bank does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, by it or on its behalf. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is presented for the purpose of interpreting the information contained herein and may not be appropriate for other purposes.