CIBC apologized to its customers Friday for erroneously faxing customer information to a U.S. business.

In a statement released Friday evening, CIBC said it takes the issue of the confidentiality of personal customer information very seriously. “We sincerely apologize to all of our customers for any concern that this issue may have caused them,” the bank said.

Effective immediately, the said it had instructed its branches to cease transmission of all internal faxes containing client information. CIBC said the information will be transmitted to its central processing operations via secure internal courier systems and by direct telephone conversation.

Longer term, the bank said it is exploring other potential secure technological alternatives for the timely transmission of confidential information between branches and processing centres.

“With respect to the specific case of client information mistakenly transmitted to a U.S. business, we are grateful that Mr. Peer has attempted to protect the confidentiality of this information,” the bank said.

CIBC added that it will be bringing a motion for a protective order in the U.S. court Monday to ensure that this information remains protected.

The bank said the application will seek to protect the information of the 29 customers that has been produced as evidence in the case.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2004/26/c8389.html