Scotiabank announced today a US$350,000 donation towards relief efforts in the aftermath of hurricanes Ivan and Frances.

“The rebuilding process will be a slow one and it is important to us that Scotiabank contribute to that process,” said Rick Waugh, Scotiabank president and CEO, in a release. “We are proud to be part of the countries we serve and we want to be there to help bring our communities back together.”

Today’s announcement builds on contributions announced last week to the Canadian Red Cross for relief efforts in Grenada. “We will continue to monitor the situation in the Caribbean as we move through hurricane season,” said Waugh.

“The Scotiabank Foundation will use the US$250,000 announced today to alleviate some of the misfortune that this hurricane has left behind,” said Bill Clarke, Managing Director, Scotiabank Jamaica. Scotiabank has operated in Jamaica since 1889. Scotiabank Jamaica has 44 branches and approximately 1,500 employees.

Scotiabank will aloso donate US$100,000 to the Bahamas, where the bank has operated since 1956. The Bank has 20 branches and more than 600 employees in the Bahamas.

Hurricane Frances touched virtually every island in The Bahamas when it moved through the region in the first week of September.