Atlantic Trust Adds Wealth Strategist to San Francisco Team

Ryan Christine Coulson joins Atlantic Trust further strengthening the firm's wealth planning expertise in San Francisco and across the West Coast

ATLANTA, Dec. 4, 2014 /CNW/ - Atlantic Trust, the U.S. private wealth management division of CIBC (NYSE: CM) (TSX: CM), today announced that Ryan Christine Coulson has joined the firm's San Francisco and Newport Beach offices as senior vice president and wealth strategist.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141204/162321)

"This addition of an experienced and talented wealth strategist to our team enhances our capabilities in this significant region," said Jack Markwalter, chairman and CEO for Atlantic Trust. "Ryan brings more than 10 years of experience in private estate and tax planning, most recently with Wells Fargo Private Bank, and in estate and tax law practice from Centara Legal Group."

The San Francisco and Newport Beach offices are home to 20 relationship and portfolio managers, client service and business development professionals who manage more than $2.8 billion in assets. The addition of Coulson allows Atlantic Trust to better serve its existing client base in this region as well as broaden its relationships with many of the premier law firms that use Atlantic Trust as a trustee and wealth manager for their clients. The firm's growth nationwide is also visible through the 37 professionals hired year-to-date.

"Ryan's presence in our San Francisco office to review a client's overall wealth, legacy and philanthropic plans and to discuss various planning strategies with prospective clients will further strengthen our client service in San Francisco and across the West Coast," said Linda Beerman, chief fiduciary officer and head of Atlantic Trust's Wealth Strategies Group. "We believe access to tenured wealth planning professionals is critical for our clients."

Coulson is a member of the Trusts and Estates Section of the State Bar of California and is frequently involved with the American Red Cross. She earned an LL.M in Taxation and J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law and a B.S. in business management from San Jose State University.

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

Media inquiries: Caroline Van Hasselt, Director, External Communications and Media Relations, CIBC [phone],  [email protected], or Carolyn Donnelly, Director of Marketing, Atlantic Trust, [phone], [email protected].