TD Bank Financial Group Honored for its Commitment to Diverse Communities by Language Line Services

Interpretation and translation industry leader presents 2008 Diversity Award to TD Bank for outstanding corporate leadership in serving diverse customer base

Monterey, CA (September  23, 2008) –  TD Bank Financial Group (TDBFG) has been honored by Language Line Services, the world’s largest provider of language services, with the “2008 Diversity Award” for the bank’s commitment to providing in-language services to its diverse customer base.

The award, which recognizes an organization’s commitment to diversity, is given annually by Language Line Services to those companies that excel at meeting the multilingual and cultural needs of the communities they serve. TDBFG is the fourth company to receive Language Line Services’ Diversity Award.

“We’re pleased to receive this award,” said Beth Grudzinski, vice president corporate diversity, TDBFG.  “Delivering a comfortable banking experience to all of our customers is something we’re committed to doing and we’re proud to receive recognition from Language Line Services for our efforts.”

TD’s relationship with Language Line Services started with the creation of a multilingual communications program. Using Language Line Services’ over-the-phone interpretation services, TD offers this service in its fraud management and VISA call centres and gives customers the option to communicate in more than 170 languages, ranging from Punjabi to Fukienese.  

“In the last year, Toronto has welcomed more than 100,000 immigrants, 40% of which speak little or no English, making language access programs like those available at TD extremely essential,” said Louis Provenzano, Language Line Services’ president and chief operating officer.  “Bringing people together and creating new opportunities through the removal of language barriers is central to everything we do at Language Line Services. We are extremely pleased to have an opportunity to work with a company that is equally committed to this endeavor.”

Language Line Services has been TD Bank Financial Group’s chosen provider of over-the-phone interpretation services for limited English-speaking customers since 2006. Over the past 12 months, the bank used Language Line Services to communicate with customers in 81 different languages.

About TD Bank Financial Group

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Financial Group. TD Bank Financial Group is the seventh largest bank in North America by branches and serves approximately 17 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking through TD Banknorth and Commerce Bank (to be known together as TD Bank); and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD Bank Financial Group also ranks among the world's leading on-line financial services firms, with more than 5.5 million on-line customers. TD Bank Financial Group had CDN$509 billion in assets as of July 31, 2008. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges under the symbol "TD", as well as on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

About Language Line Services (LLS)

Language Line Services, the world’s leading provider of language-based services, is a trusted partner to thousands of organizations whose focus is to effectively serve the rapidly expanding market of limited English speakers. The company delivers a dynamic suite of solutions spanning translation, transcription, phone and video interpretation, interpreter certification, localization and localized software and devices, enabling clients to communicate with customers in their preferred language. Through its leading-edge technology infrastructure, Language Line Services provides support for more than 170 languages to its industry-leading portfolio of clients across markets including healthcare, financial services, government, telecom, manufacturing, insurance, entertainment, travel, and more. For information on how Language Line Services is helping clients achieve their strategic multi-cultural marketing and regulatory compliance objectives, please call 1-800-752-6096.