Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (Order Granting Waivers Under Section 27A(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)

Securities Act of 1933
Release No. 8352 / December 29, 2003

Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Release No. 48999 / December 29, 2003

In the Matter of

CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE

Respondent.

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ORDER UNDER SECTION 27A(b) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND SECTION 21E(b) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, GRANTING WAIVERS OF THE DISQUALIFICATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 27A(b)(1)(A)(ii) OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SECTION 21E(b)(1)(A)(ii) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce ("CIBC") has submitted a letter, dated November 11, 2003, requesting a waiver of the disqualification provisions of Section 27A(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act",) and Section 21E(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") arising from the settlement of a civil injunctive proceeding with the Commission. On December 22, 2003, the Commission filed a civil injunctive complaint against CIBC in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas alleging that CIBC aided and abetted Enron Corp.'s violations of Sections 10(b), 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A) and (B) and 13(b)(5) of the Exchange Act and Exchange Act Rules 10b-5, 12b-20, 13a-1, 13a-13 and 13b2-1.

Pursuant to an Offer of Settlement from CIBC, CIBC simultaneously filed a Consent of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in which it agreed, without admitting or denying the allegations of the Commission's complaint, to the entry of a Final Judgment against CIBC. ("Final Judgment"). Among other things, the Final Judgment permanently enjoins CIBC from violating Sections 10(b), 13(a), 13(b)(2)(A) and (B) and 13(b)(5) of the Exchange Act and Exchange Act Rules 10b-5, 12b-20, 13a-1, 13a-13 and 13b2-1.

The safe harbor provisions of Section 27A(c) of the Securities Act and Section 21E(c) of the Exchange Act are not available for any forward looking statement that is "made with respect to the business or operations of the issuer, if the issuer ... during the 3-year period preceding the date on which the statement was first made ... has been made the subject of an ... administrative decree or order arising out of a governmental action that (I) prohibits future violations of the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws; (II) requires that the issuer cease and desist from violating the antifraud provisions of the securities laws; or (III) determines that the issuer violated the antifraud provisions of the securities laws[.]" Section 27A(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Securities Act and Section 21E(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Exchange Act. The disqualifications may be waived "to the extent otherwise specifically provided by rule, regulation, or order of the Commission." Section 27A(b) of the Securities Act and Section 21E(b) of the Exchange Act.

Based on the representations set forth in CIBC's November 11, 2003 request, the Commission has determined that, under the circumstances, the request for a waiver of the disqualifications resulting from the entry of the Final Judgment is appropriate and should be granted.

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to Section 27A(b) of the Securities Act and Section 27E(b) of the Exchange Act, that a waiver from the disqualification provisions of Section 27A(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Securities Act and Section 21E(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Exchange Act as to CIBC resulting from the entry of the Final Judgment is hereby granted.

By the Commission.

Jonathan G. Katz
Secretary