Altamira Investment Services today announced the launch of the Altamira Canadian Blue Chip Note. The new principal protected note is the first in a series the company plans to offer over the coming months.

The note offers investors unlimited potential return with the security of having their initial investment fully protected at maturity.

Investors will benefit from the gains in a benchmark portfolio of 20 leading Canadian companies including financial institutions, telecom service and energy providers. The note has no management fees and is available for sale starting Monday, Oct. 17, 2005.

“The Altamira Canadian Blue Chip Note is an excellent way for investors to capitalize on potential gains in the Canadian market with the security of knowing their initial investment is protected,” said Ian Dillon, chief investment strategist for Altamira, in a release.

National Bank of Canada is issuing the note and provides principal protection at maturity. The issue price is $100 per note with a minimum investment of $500. Each note will have a minimum redemption price at maturity of $100, regardless of the benchmark portfolio’s return. National Bank may redeem all of the notes four years from the issue date for a price per note of $146.41, providing a compound annual return of approximately 10%. No income taxes are payable during the holding period and the note is eligible for all registered plans.

The note can be purchased until Nov. 25, 2005 from Altamira.