National Bank of Canada Earns PAIR Bronze Certification for…

Event summary

National Bank of Canada received Bronze certification in the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) program from the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business on October 15, 2026.
The certification evaluates performance across four key pillars: Leadership, Business Development, Community Relationships, and Employment.
The bank achieved a 90% completion rate in Indigenous awareness and reconciliation training for employees through a partnership with Ashukan Institute.
National Bank established a dedicated Indigenous Relations team led by Steve Berna, appointed in early 2025.

The big picture

National Bank of Canada's PAIR Bronze certification underscores a growing trend among financial institutions to formalize and measure their commitments to Indigenous relations and economic reconciliation. As one of Canada's six systemically important banks, with $635 billion in assets, the bank's efforts signal a broader industry shift towards integrating social considerations into core business practices. The certification highlights the strategic importance of building trust-based relationships with Indigenous communities, which can unlock new opportunities for economic development and shared success.

What we're watching

Certification Progression: Whether National Bank can advance to higher PAIR certification levels and sustain measurable progress in Indigenous relations.
Indigenous Talent Development: The impact of the bank's intentional hiring practices and Indigenous employee resource group on attracting and retaining Indigenous talent.
Economic Reconciliation: How the bank's sustainable sourcing strategy and partnerships with Indigenous suppliers will contribute to long-term economic prosperity for Indigenous communities.