Office address: 800 Saint-Jacques Street Montréal, Québec H3C 1A3, Canada
Website: www.nbc.ca
Year established: 1859
Company type: Banking
Employees: 28,900+
Expertise: Banking, mortgage loans, wealth management
Parent company: N/A
CEO and key people: Laurent Ferreira, president and CEO
Financing status: Corporate-backed or acquired
National Bank of Canada, also known as Banque Nationale du Canada in French, is the sixth largest commercial bank in the country. The Montreal-headquartered banking giant has more than 660 branches nationwide. It also holds offices in 20 US cities and 120 overseas locations. National Bank serves over 2.4 million clients, offering a range of banking, lending, and wealth management services.
National Bank was established in 1859 in Quebec City, emerging from the aspirations of local businessmen to serve the French-speaking community. It has since navigated through significant milestones, including mergers during the Great Depression and expansion phases across Canada and internationally. The bank's journey is marked by strategic acquisitions, such as the Mercantile Bank of Canada, and a commitment to digital and cultural transformation, reflecting its adaptability and resilience.
National Bank operates four business units offering a comprehensive range of products and services designed to meet the unique needs of its clients:
Personal and Commercial: This segment includes banking, financing, insurance, and investment services for individuals, advisors, and businesses.
Wealth Management: This unit offers investment, trust, banking, lending, and other wealth management solutions through internal and third-party distribution networks.
Financial Markets: This segment includes corporate and investment banking and financial solutions for mid-size and large corporations, public sector organizations, and institutional investors.
US Specialty Finance and International (USSF&I): This unit offers specialty finance services provided by its subsidiaries, Credigy Ltd. and Advanced Bank of Asia Limited.
National Bank prides itself in a culture that is human-centric, entrepreneurial, and passionate. It values empowerment, partnership, and agility, fostering an environment where employees can make a difference and adapt swiftly to societal changes. This culture is integral to the bank's mission of making a positive impact on people's lives.
As a major player in Canada’s financial industry, National Bank is also determined to reduce the impact of its business activities on the environment. Part of this is achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The banking giant also helped finance the Grand Renewable Wind project in Ontario, a 67-turbine plant that generates 149MW. This is enough clean energy to power 50,000 homes in Ontario.
Laurent Ferreira was named president and CEO of National Bank in November 2021. He joined the banking giant in 1998. Over the years, he has held various senior leadership roles, most notably in the Financial Markets group. His leadership is marked by his contributions to the bank's growth and his active involvement in community initiatives. Ferreira holds a master’s degree in finance from HEC Montréal and a bachelor's degree in economics from Université du Québec à Montréal.
National Bank’s strong foundation in digital banking and a commitment to sustainable practices make it well-equipped to navigate the challenges of the evolving financial landscape. Its focus on customer-centric solutions, combined with a robust governance framework, positions National Bank as a forward-thinking institution ready to shape the future of banking.
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