Canadian Western Bank has agreed to issue subordinated debentures for a minimum principal amount of $35 million up to a maximum principal amount of $70 million to institutional investors.

Subject to board approval, the debentures are expected to be issued on Nov. 21, 2005, the bank said today.

The debentures will have a fixed interest rate until Nov. 21, 2010 which rate will be determined five business days before the closing and will be 150 basis points above the trading yield, using a straight line interpolation, for the 6% June 2011 and the 4% September 2010 five-year Government of Canada Benchmark Bonds.

Thereafter the rate will be fixed quarterly at the Canadian dollar CDOR 90-day Bankers’ Acceptance rate plus 180 basis points until maturity on November 21, 2015. The Bank may redeem all, but not less than all, of the debentures on or after November 22, 2010 at par plus accrued and unpaid interest subject to approval of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, if required.

Sprott Securities Inc. is acting as agent for this transaction.

Larry Pollock, president and CEO of CWB, said the main purpose of the issue is to increase the bank’s total regulatory capital to support current and future asset growth.