Leading Treasurers to Participate in Innovative Forum on Financial Risk Management in Canada

Event Marks the Beginning of Joint Venture With New National Organization

(TORONTO - December 20, 2004) Canadian treasurers from many of the country's top public companies will participate in a half-day forum in Toronto on January 13, 2005, to examine innovative approaches to managing financial risk. The event will bring together leading financial analysts and academics to discuss strategies for addressing evolving market conditions in today's global economy.

"With volatile market conditions and economies integrating globally, companies in this country can no longer behave as self-contained entities," said Peter Copestake, Senior Vice President & Treasurer, Manulife Financial Corporation and Chairman of SCT. "Canadian treasury professionals must find new ways to bridge the global market and operational risks encountered by their organizations."

In its first executive event of the year, the Society of Canadian Treasurers will feature four highly-regarded financial innovators who will discuss the future of interest rates, credit derivatives, multi-factor hedging and hedge funds. The presenters are: Frank Hayes, President, Stanley Software Finance Inc., David Rudd, Chairman, Sigma Analysis and Management Ltd., Prof. Luis A. Seco, President and CEO, Sigma Analysis and Management Ltd., and Ronald Torrens, Senior Editor, Bank Credit Analyst Research.

"These individuals have played an exemplary role in shaping approaches by Canadian institutions," said Daniel Han, coordinator of the meeting for SCT. "Their comprehensive understanding of engineering strategies will be of great insight to treasury executives."

The Advanced Risk Management forum will take place on January 13, 2005, from 9:00 am to 1:30 p.m., at 200 Bloor Street East, South Tower, Main Floor, International Room A, Toronto. To register for the forum or for more information on SCT, contact Daniel Han at (416) 977-5400.

The Society for Canadian Treasurers is a networking group for senior Treasurers of companies with revenues in excess of $250 million from every sector of the Canadian economy. Since 2001, SCT members have been meeting to discuss issues of common interest to the treasury profession in a series of networking and learning sessions held throughout the year. The members include representatives from a broad spectrum of Canadian companies, including Bell Canada, Canadian Tire, E.I. du Pont Canada Company, Manulife Financial Corporation, Nortel Networks and others.

For media information, contact:
Allan Jordan
The Global Consulting Group
646.284.9400