MEDIA INVITATION The National Bank's Economic and Financial Outlook for 2004

Clément Gignac, Chief Economist of the National Bank, will present the National Bank's Economic and Financial Outlook for 2004 on Wednesday, December 10, 2003.

What: Audio webcast of Economic and Financial Outlook for 2004

Who: Clément Gignac, Chief Economist of the National Bank and Senior Vice-President and Strategist at National Bank Financial

When: On Wednesday, December 10 at 9:00 a.m. and any time thereafter

Where: On the National Bank website at: www.nbc.ca\economicoutlook

Duration: 20 minutes

Languages: English and French

Documents: A PowerPoint presentation on the Economic and Financial Outlook for 2004 (pdf format) and a press release will be available on the National Bank website that same morning

Interviews: Clément Gignac will be available on December 10 for individual interviews

About the National Bank of Canada

National Bank of Canada is an integrated group which provides comprehensive financial services to consumers, small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations in its core market, while offering specialized services to its clients elsewhere in the world. The National Bank offers a full array of banking services, including retail, corporate and investment banking. It is an active player on international capital markets and, through its subsidiaries, is involved in securities brokerage, insurance and wealth management as well as mutual fund and retirement plan management. The National Bank has assets of over $82 billion and, together with its subsidiaries, employs close to 17,000 people. The Bank's securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA:TSX). For more information, visit the Bank's website at www.nbc.ca.

Information : (the telephone number and e-mail address provided below are for the exclusive use of journalists and other media representatives):

Denis Dubé
Manager, Public Relations Department
National Bank of Canada
Tel.: (514) 394-8644
E-mail: denis.dube@nbc.ca