Consolidated Financial Statements
MANAGEMENT’S RESPONS IBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING The consolidated financial statements of Canadian Western Bank (CWB) and related financial information presented in this annual report have been prepared by management who are responsible for the integrity and fair presentation of the information presented, which includes the cons olidated financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) and other information. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, including the requirements of the Bank Act and related rules and regulations issued by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada. The MD&A has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of securities regulators, including National Instrument 51-102 of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA). The consolidated financial statements, MD&A and related financial information reflect amounts which must, of necessity, be based on informed estimates and judgments of management with appropriate consideration to materiality. The financial information represented elsewhere in this annual report is fairly presented and consistent with the consolidated financial statements. Management has designed the accounting system and related internal controls, and supporting procedures are maintained to provide reasonable assurance that financial records are complete and accurate, assets are safeguarded and CWB is in compliance with all regulatory requirements. These supporting procedures include the careful selection and training of qualified staff, defined division of responsibilities and accountability for performance, and the written communication of policies and guidelines of business conduct and risk management throughout CWB.
We, as CWB’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, will certify CWB’s annual filings with the CSA as required by National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings.
The system of internal controls is also supported by our internal audit function, which carries out periodic internal audits of all aspects of CWB’s operations. The Chief Internal Auditor has full and free access to the Audit Committee and to the external auditors.
The Audit Committee, appointed by the Board of Directors, is comprised entirely of independent directors who are not officers or employees of CWB. The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the consolidated financial statements and annual report, including the MD&A, and recommending them to the Board of Directors for approval. Other key responsibilities of the Audit Committee include meeting with management, the Chief Internal Auditor and the external auditors to discuss the effectiveness of certain internal controls over the financial reporting process and the planning and results of the external audit. The Audit Committee also meets regularly with the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Internal Auditor and the external auditors without management present. The Governance and Conduct Review Committee, appointed by the Board of Directors, is comprised of directors who are not officers or employees of CWB. Their responsibilities include reviewing related party transactions and reporting to the Board of Directors any related party transactions which may have a material impact on CWB. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada, at least once a year, makes such examination and inquiry into the affairs of CWB and its federally regulated subsidiaries as is deemed necessary or expedient to satisfy themselves that the provisions of the relevant Acts, having reference to the safety of depositors, are being duly observed and that CWB is in a sound financial condition.
KPMG LLP, the independent auditors appointed by the shareholders of CWB, have performed an audit of the consolidated financial statements and their report follows. The external auditors have full and free access to, and meet periodically with, the Audit Committee to discuss their audit and any resulting matters.
Chris H. Fowler
R. Matthew Rudd
President and Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
December 7, 2023
60 | CWB Financial Group 2023 Annual Report
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