National Bank Financial Research Performance Recognized by the 2013 StarMine Analyst Awards

MONTREAL, July 9, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - National Bank Financial has been named among the Top 3 firms with the most award-winning analysts (13) in Canada according to the renowned StarMine Analyst Awards 2013 presented annually by Thomson Reuters. Eight analysts have shown exemplary performances, either as stock pickers or as earnings estimators during the prior year in their own industry category. Pat Kenny, for stock pickings, and Matt Taylor, for earnings estimating, have also made the top ten overall.

"We are proud to be consistently ranked in the top tier of dealers for quality of research, investment ideas, analysis and sector knowledge. This prestigious recognition affirms our commitment to providing clients with the timely market insights and in-depth coverage they have come to rely on from us," stated Ihor Danyliuk, Managing Director, Research, National Bank Financial.

StarMine objectively measures the performance of analysts based on the returns of their buy/sell recommendations and the accuracy of their earnings estimates. The 2013 stock picking awards for Canada are based on the 2012 calendar-year performance of recommendations. The 2013 awards for estimating performance are scored on the fiscal period that reported between April 1^st, 2012 and March 31, 2013. Only analyst performance on companies that are based in Canada is included in the awards calculations.

This distinction follows closely on the heels of Bloomberg recognition of National Bank Financial's Economics and Strategy Team which ranked first among Canadian financial institutions and third in the world for Canadian dollar currency forecasts against the U.S. dollar in the year ended March 31, 2013.

About National Bank Financial
With $80 billion in assets under administration, National Bank Financial is a fully-integrated investment dealer combining retail advisory and brokerage services with institutional brokerage, investment banking, corporate finance, and securities clearing for third parties. National Bank Financial offers its services to more than 350,000 clients. Its Financial Markets division has a major presence in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and Montreal, as well as operations in the United States and Europe.

About National Bank of Canada
With $185 billion in assets as at April 30, 2013, National Bank of Canada (www.nbc.ca) together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups, and has been named among the 20 strongest banks in the world by Bloomberg Markets magazine. The Bank has close to 20,000 employees and is widely recognized as a top employer. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank's activities via social media and learn more about its extensive community involvement at clearfacts.ca and commitment.nationalbank.ca.

SOURCE: National Bank of Canada