The lender is targeting small- and medium-sized Canadian defence and dual-use businesses, including in infrastructure, energy, cybersecurity, digital capabilities and advanced technologies. The bank said Thursday the program will combine financing with sector expertise and dedicated banking support. It has also built a national network of defence specialists within its commercial bank. (The Logic)

Talking point: In a Globe and Mail op-ed, CEO Harry Culham tied the announcement directly to next week’s Canada Investment Summit, writing that defence will be central to discussions as global investors gather in Toronto. He said lenders and investors should consider not only returns, but the industrial capacity their capital helps build. Culham called the commitment CIBC’s response to calls from government and SMEs for greater access to capital, pointing to Canada’s planned defence spending and the financing gap faced by smaller firms trying to scale.

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