MONTREAL, May 14, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ -  National Bank is pleased to announce that Manuel Morales will join its team in the position of Chief Scientist, Artificial Intelligence. The main task of this accomplished researcher from the Université de Montréal will be to head the research and implementation of technological solutions in the area of artificial intelligence at National Bank in order to improve customer experience.

Manuel Morales is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the Université de Montréal. He has received several awards for his applied research in machine learning, and has contributed to the publication of numerous articles in this field. Mr. Morales will devote half of his time to National Bank, while pursuing his role at the university.

Quotes

"In the context of accelerated digital transformation, the human factor is more important than ever. By creating a position of Chief Scientist, Artificial intelligence, and by hiring Manuel, we want to clearly orient our AI initiatives and accelerate innovation," explained David Furlong, Senior Vice-President, Artificial intelligence, Venture Capital and Blockchain at National Bank.

"I am very happy to join a leading institution such as National Bank. It's not every day that you have the opportunity to contribute to the development of concrete solutions to simplify people's lives, stated Manuel Morales. I look forward to using my knowledge and my expertise to position the Bank as a true leader in terms of innovation."

Programs to recruit new talents

To achieve its objectives, the Bank needs to attract and develop skilled employees. Several initiatives have been implemented to this end:

• National Bank is currently recruiting a team of AI Scientists to help design and implement AI solutions across the company.
• Rotation program for Data Scientists – Created in 2017, this 2-year program offers a permanent position which includes a series of 6-month stints in various business units before culminating in a specific assignment.
• Summer internships – Approximately sixty university and college students will join the Bank for the summer. They will address a variety of challenges in leading areas, including cyber security, data, mobile development and software development.

About National Bank of Canada
With $251 billion in assets as at January 31, 2018, National Bank of Canada, together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups. It has more than 21,000 employees in knowledge-intensive positions and has been recognized numerous times as a top employer and for its commitment to diversity. Its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA). Follow the Bank's activities at nbc.ca or via social media such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE National Bank of Canada

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