6-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of January 2023

Commission File Number: 1-14678

CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

81 Bay Street

CIBC Square
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5J OE7
(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F ☐   Form 40-F ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐

THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K AND THE EXHIBITS HERETO SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ON FORM S-8 FILE NOS. 333-130283, 333-09874 AND 333-218913 AND FORM F-3 FILE NOS. 333-219550, 333-220284, 333-257113 AND 333-259240 AND TO BE A PART THEREOF FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THIS REPORT IS FURNISHED, TO THE EXTENT NOT SUPERSEDED BY DOCUMENTS OR REPORTS SUBSEQUENTLY FILED OR FURNISHED.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: January 4, 2023	CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE
	By:	/s/ Allison Mudge
		Name:	Allison Mudge
		Title:	Senior Vice-President

1

EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1 Press release, dated January 4, 2023

2

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Media Release: CIBC to appeal decision in Cerberus matter

TORONTO, January 4, 2023 – CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) announced that it intends to appeal the New York Court decision released after close of business on January 3, 2023 finding CIBC liable for damages in the lawsuit brought by a special purpose vehicle controlled by Cerberus Capital Management L.P. (“Cerberus”), in the amount of US$491 million, plus pre-judgment interest that is currently being assessed by both parties. CIBC expects that the total amount of damages, inclusive of such pre-judgment interest, will be approximately US$848 million through to December 1, 2022. CIBC previously disclosed on December 2, 2022 that the Court issued a liability ruling in this matter against CIBC. CIBC strongly disagrees with the legal and factual basis for the Court’s decision.

CIBC expects to record a pre-tax provision of approximately CAD$1,160 million or CAD$850 million after tax, including estimated pre-judgment interest through December 1, 2022, in its first quarter 2023 results. The application of the after tax charge is expected to result in an approximate 30 basis point reduction in CIBC’s CET1 capital ratio, which was 11.7% as at October 31, 2022.

About CIBC

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 13 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets businesses, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network and locations across Canada, with offices in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/en/about-cibc/media-centre.html.

For further information: Tom Wallis, tom.wallis@cibc.com or 416-980-4048

A NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

From time to time, we make written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including in this news release, in other filings with Canadian securities regulators or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in other reports to shareholders, and in other communications. All such statements are made pursuant to the “safe harbour” provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include, but are not limited to, CIBC’s intention to contest or appeal the verdict. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “target”, “objective” and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will”, “should”, “would” and “could”. By their nature, these statements require us to make assumptions, and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific. The future outcomes that relate to forward-looking statements may be influenced by many factors, including, but not limited to: the final outcome of the Cerberus matter; legal and other developments in litigation, such as judicial rulings or findings or any resolution of litigation that differs from what is anticipated or expected. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the views of management only as of the date hereof and are presented for the purpose of assisting our shareholders and financial analysts in understanding our financial position, objectives and priorities and anticipated financial performance as at and for the periods ended on the dates presented, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that is contained in this news release or in other communications except as required by law.