National Bank of Canada is launching a first series of the Global SMART Note, available until March 9, 2007.

The note combines 100% principal protection at maturity, and performance driven by a portfolio that offers unlimited potential return at maturity. The term of the note is eight years.

With the note, investors benefit from global diversification across three regions: the United States, Europe and Asia/Pacific. The regional baskets are further diversified by asset class with 50% in equities, 30% in bonds and 20% in currencies and commodities. The geographic regions are the same for each portfolio, but the weighting for each geographic basket varies to provide investors with enhanced diversification.

Each note costs $100, with a minimum initial investment of $1,000. At maturity, on March 9, 2015, investors will receive, in addition to their principal, a return, if applicable, equal to the product of the initial $100 per note and the sum of the weighted returns of the baskets of the top-performing portfolio.

The note was designed for investors who want to diversify internationally while benefiting from overweighting in a specific region, as well as investors who seek higher returns at a time when interest rates are low.

The note qualifies RRSPs, RRIFs, Deferred Profit Sharing Plans, and Registered Education Savings Plans. It can be sold before maturity, subject to on market conditions and early trading charges.

The note can be purchased from National Bank branches, from National Bank Financial, from National Bank Direct Brokerage and through all investment advisors and financial planners in Canada.