CORRECTION/Correcting... An error occurred in the news release of CANADIAN WESTERN BANK dated March 19, 1997. The wrong text was attached to the correct title. The complete and corrected version follows: CORRECTION: Canadian Western Bank to Implement Small Shareholder Sale Program.

EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 1997-- CANADIAN WESTERN BANK:TSE, VSE, Alberta Stock Exchange:CWB.) Canadian Western Bank today announced that it has created a program designed to help those of its shareholders who own less than a board lot (100 shares) of the Bank's common shares to sell their shares without paying brokerage costs.

Under a program to be administered by Montreal Trust, the Bank will bear the brokerage and administrative costs so that shareholders will receive full value for their shares within the required settlement period.

The program applies to registered shareholders as well as beneficial holders of odd lot holdings registered in the name of a nominee held as of the record date March 18, 1997. Shareholders can expect to receive the program documentation within a few days and have until June 16, 1997 to take advantage of the program. Shareholders who hold unexchanged certificates for common shares of B.C. Bancorp which would convert into 99 or fewer CWB shares, may also participate in the program.

Larry Pollock, President of CWB, said the Company's recent acquisition of B.C. Bancorp had resulted in the Bank acquiring a larger than usual number of small-scale, odd lot shareholders. We recognize that many of these shareholders hesitate to divest because of the transaction cost, so we think it makes good sense to facilitate these sales and, as a by-product, reduce the Bank's communications costs.

Canadian Western Bank operates through 21 branch locations and is the only Schedule I chartered bank with its headquarters and principal operations in Western Canada. The Bank specializes in commercial loans, energy loans, commercial real estate financing, equipment loans and leasing to businesses throughout Western Canada. Services to individuals are provided through a competitive range of mortgages, consumer loans, deposit products and other retail banking services. Through Canadian Western Trust Company, it also offers self-administered RRSP, RRIF, trust and other fiduciary services as well as residential and commercial mortgage lending.

The common shares of Canadian Western Bank are listed on each of the Toronto, Vancouver and Alberta Stock Exchanges under the trading symbol "CWB". The Bank's convertible debentures also trade on the TSE under the symbol "CWB.DB".

CONTACT: Canadian Western Bank

Larry M. Pollock, 403/423-8888

or

Hume, Kieran Inc.

Jon W. Kieran, 416/868-1079

or

Hume, Kieran Inc.

Cathy Hume, 416/868-1079