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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-A

FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Canada   Not Applicable
(State of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

Commerce Court
Toronto, Ontario, M5L 1A2, Canada
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(c), please check the following box. ý

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(d), please check the following box. o

Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates: Not applicable

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Securities
to be so Registered

  Name of Each Exchange on Which
Securities are to be Registered

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Index-Linked Notes due August 1, 2011
(Linked to the NASDAQ-100 Index®)
  American Stock Exchange

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None
(Title of Class)





Item 1. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered.

        A complete description of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Index-Linked Notes due August 1, 2011 (Linked to the NASDAQ-100 Index®) of the Registrant is contained under the caption "Specific Terms of the Notes" in the Preliminary Terms Supplement filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) on July 1, 2004, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), under the caption "Description of the Notes" in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, and under the caption "Description of the Debt Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus. Such descriptions are hereby incorporated by reference.


Item 2. Exhibits

        A list of exhibits filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference is set forth on the Index to Exhibits which is incorporated herein by reference.



SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

Date: July 27, 2004

    CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
LINDA A. WALLACE      
Name:  Linda A. Wallace
Title:    
Authorized Signatory

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
WILLIAM HANEY      
Name:  William Haney
Title:    
Authorized Signatory


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number

  Description of Document
2.1   Form of the Indenture in connection with the issuance of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Index-Linked Notes due August 1, 2011 (Linked to the NASDAQ-100 Index®) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-104577).

2.2

 

Form of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Index-Linked Notes due August 1, 2011 (Linked to the NASDAQ-100 Index®).


Exhibit 2.2

        This Security is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any federal or other governmental agency of the United States of America or Canada.

        This Security is a global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee thereof. This Security may not be transferred to, or registered or exchanged for Securities registered in the name of, any Person other than the Depositary or a nominee thereof or a successor of such Depositary or a nominee of such successor, and no such transfer may be registered, except in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture. Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, this Security shall be a global Security subject to the foregoing, except in such limited circumstances.

        Unless this Certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the Company or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE

Index-Linked Notes due August 1, 2011
(Linked to the NASDAQ-100 Index®)

No. 1
CUSIP No. 13605FAH1
  US$4,000,000

        Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a financial institution duly organized and existing under the Bank Act (Canada) (herein called the "Company", which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of $4,000,000 on August 1, 2011 or such other date as determined pursuant to Section 2.4 on the reverse hereof (the "Maturity Date"), in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts. This Security shall not bear periodic interest. On the Maturity Date, the Company shall pay the Holder hereof the Index Return Payment (if any) as such term is defined in Section 2 on the reverse side of this Security. The payment of such principal (and Index Return Payment, if any) shall be made at the office or agency maintained by the Company in either Wilmington, Delaware or New York, New York; provided, that if CEDE & CO. or another nominee of the Depository is the registered owner of this Security, payments of principal and the Index Return Payment, if any, or other payment required to be made hereon, if any, will be made in immediately available funds through the Depository's Same-Day Funds Settlement System.

        This is redeemable before the Maturity Date as provided in Section 4 on the reverse hereof.

        Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

        Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

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        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

        Dated: July 30, 2004

    CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE

 

 

By:

 

    

Name:  D.G. Dickinson
Title:    
Vice President

 

 

By:

 

    

Name:  Peter W. Kay
Title:    
Senior Vice President

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TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

        This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

    WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
As Trustee

 

 

By:

 

    

Authorized Signer

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[REVERSE OF SECURITY]

1.    General.    This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the "Securities") issued and to be issued in one or more series under an indenture, dated as of May 28, 2003 (herein called the "Indenture"), between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee, and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof and will initially be offered in the principal amount of $4,000,000. The Company may, without the consent of the Holders, issue additional Securities of this series and thereby increase such principal amount in the future, on the same terms and conditions and with the same CUSIP number as this Security.

2.    Index Return Payment.    

        2.1   At maturity, in addition to the principal amount hereof, the Company shall pay the Holder the Index Return Payment in cash. The Index Return Payment shall equal (i) the principal amount hereof; multiplied by (ii) the Upside Participation Rate; multiplied by (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which shall equal the amount, if any, by which the Monthly Average Index Level exceeds the Initial Index Level and the denominator of which is the Initial Index Level. If the Monthly Average Index Level is equal to or less than the Initial Index Level, then there shall be no Index Return Payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Index is replaced by a successor index using, in the determination of the Calculation Agent, the same or a substantially similar formula for and method of calculation as used in the calculation of the Index, then the successor index (the "Successor Index") will be deemed to be the Index. If the Index Sponsor at any time does not calculate the Index and a successor sponsor determined to be acceptable by the Calculation Agent calculates and announces the Index, such successor sponsor shall be deemed to be the Index Sponsor.

        2.2   (a)    If (i) on or prior to any Determination Date, the Index Sponsor announces that it will make a material change in the formula for or the method of calculating the Index or in any other way materially modifies the Index (other than a modification prescribed in that formula or method to maintain the Index in the event of changes in constituent stock and capitalization and other routine events) (an "Index Modification") or permanently cancels the Index and no Successor Index exists or no longer calculates the Index (an "Index Cancellation") or (ii) on such Determination Date, the Index Sponsor fails to calculate and announce the Index (an "Index Disruption" and together with an Index Modification and an Index Cancellation, each an "Index Adjustment Event"), then the Calculation Agent shall determine if such Index Adjustment Event materially affects the potential amount payable on these Securities at maturity and, if so, then the Calculation Agent shall calculate the Closing Level on such Determination Date and for each Determination Date thereafter using, in lieu of a published level for the Index, the level for the Index as of any such Determination Date as determined by the Calculation Agent in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the Index used by the Index Sponsor last in effect prior to the change, failure or cancellation giving rise to the Index Adjustment Event, using only those securities that comprised the Index immediately prior to that Index Adjustment Event. For purposes of clause (i), the Calculation Agent shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion whether any such change is material.

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        2.3   In the event that any Closing Level for any Determination Date published by the Index Sponsor and which is utilized for any calculation of the Index Return Payment is subsequently corrected and the correction is published by the Index Sponsor on or before the first Scheduled Trading Day after the Final Determination Date, the Calculation Agent will determine the Index Return Payment payable as a result of that correction, and, to the extent necessary, will adjust the Index Return Payment to account for such correction.

        2.4   If any Determination Date is a Market Disrupted Day, then such Determination Date shall be the first succeeding Scheduled Trading Day that is not a Market Disrupted Day, unless each of the eight Scheduled Trading Days immediately following the originally scheduled Determination Date is a Market Disrupted Day. In such case, (A) such eighth Scheduled Trading Day shall be deemed to be such Determination Date, notwithstanding the fact that such day is a Market Disrupted Day, and (B) the Calculation Agent shall determine the level of the Index as of such eighth Scheduled Trading Day in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the Index used by the Index Sponsor last in effect prior to the occurrence of the first Market Disrupted Day using the Exchange traded or quoted price as of such eighth Scheduled Trading Day of each security comprised in the Index (or, if an event giving rise to a Market Disrupted Day has occurred in respect of the relevant security on such eighth Scheduled Trading Day, such good faith estimate of the value for the relevant security as of such eighth Scheduled Trading Day). In the event the Final Determination Date is postponed pursuant to this Section 2.4, the Maturity Date shall be the date that is the third Note Business Day immediately following the actual Final Determination Date.

        2.5   Absent manifest error, all determinations made by the Calculation Agent shall be final and binding on the Holder. The Company shall take such action as shall be necessary to ensure that there is at all relevant times a financial institution serving as the Calculation Agent hereunder. The Company may, in its sole discretion at any time and from time to time, upon written notice to the Trustee, but without notice to the Holder of this Security, terminate the appointment of any Person serving as the Calculation Agent and appoint another Person (including any Affiliate of the Company) to serve as such agent. Insofar as this Security provides for the Calculation Agent to obtain closing levels or other information from any institution or other source, the Calculation Agent may do so from any source or sources of the kind contemplated or otherwise permitted hereby notwithstanding that any one or more of such sources are such agent, Affiliates of such agent or Affiliates of the Company.

        2.6   As used in this Section 2:

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3.    No Redemption.    These Securities are not redeemable prior to Maturity, except as set forth in Section 4.

4.    Additional Payments and Right of Redemption upon the Occurrence of a Tax Event.    The Company will pay to any Holder who is a resident of the United States (for the purposes of The Canada-United States Tax Convention (1980)) such additional amounts (the "Additional Tax Amount") as may be necessary in order that every net payment of the principal of and interest on the Securities of this series and any other amounts payable on such Securities, after withholding for or on account of any present or future tax, assessment or governmental charge imposed upon such payment by Canada, will not be less than the amount provided for in such Securities to be then due and payable. The Company will not, however, be required to make any payment of Additional Amounts to any beneficial owner for or on account of:

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        The Company shall have the right to redeem the Securities of this series prior to maturity as provided in the Indenture but subject to the provisions hereinafter set forth, in whole but not in part, if at any time prior to maturity, it is or will be obligated to pay the Additional Tax Amounts as described in this Section 4.

        Notice of such redemption shall not be given earlier than sixty days prior to the earliest date on which the Company would obligated to pay such Additional Tax Amounts if a payment in respect of the Securities of this series were then due. Notice of redemption will be given not less than thirty and not more than sixty days prior to the date fixed for redemption, which date and applicable redemption price will be specified in the notice. Prior to giving any notice of redemption, the Company will deliver to the Trustee (i) a certificate stating that it is entitled to effect such redemption and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to the Company's right to so redeem have occurred and (ii) an opinion of independent counsel or written advise of a qualified tax expert, such counsel or expert being reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, to such effect based on such statement of facts.

        The redemption price of the Securities will be determined by the Calculation Agent in a manner reasonably calculated to preserve the Holder's and the Company's relative economic position.

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5.    Events of Default.    If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

6.    Modifications and Waivers; Obligation of the Company Absolute.    The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

        No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any other amounts required to be paid on this Security at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

7.    Authorized Denominations.    The Securities are issuable in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture, and subject to certain limitations therein set forth and to the limitations described below, if applicable, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

8.    Registration of Transfer.    As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations set forth therein and as may be set forth on the face hereof, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Issuer in any place where the principal of (and premium, if any) on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

        This Security is exchangeable only if (x) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for this Security or if at any time the Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (y) the Company in its sole discretion determines that this Security shall be exchangeable for certificated Securities in registered form or (z) an Event of Default, or an event which with the passage of time or the giving of notice would become an Event of Default, with respect to the Securities represented hereby has occurred and is continuing, provided that the definitive Securities so issued in exchange for this permanent Security shall be in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof and be of like aggregate principal amount and tenor as the portion of this permanent Security to be exchanged, and provided further that, unless the Company agrees otherwise, Securities of this series in certificated registered form will be issued in exchange for this permanent Security, or any portion hereof, only if such Securities in certificated registered form were requested by written notice to the Trustee or the Securities Registrar by or on behalf of a person who is beneficial owner of an

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interest hereof given through the Holder hereof. Except as provided above, owners of beneficial interests in this permanent Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Securities in certificated registered form and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture.

        No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

9.    Owners.    Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security is overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

10.    No Recourse Against Certain Persons.    No recourse for the payment of the principal or any other amounts required to be paid on this Security, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Company in the Indenture or in any Security, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor corporation of either of them, either directly or through the Company or any successor corporation of either of them, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule or law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being by the acceptance hereof and as a condition of and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.

11.    No Defeasance.    The provisions set forth in Sections 10.01(b) and (c) of the Indenture shall not apply to the Securities of this series.

12.    Governing Law.    The Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

13.    Notices.    Notices to Holders of Registered Securities shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder entitled thereto, at his last address as it appears in the Security Register.

14.    Defined Terms.    All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

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FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR
OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE


   


PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE OF ASSIGNEE



 

 



 

 



 

 

the within Security and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing
    
  attorney to transfer said Security on
the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:

 

    


 

 

Signature:

 

    


 

 

        NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON PAGE 1 OF THE WITHIN INSTRUMENT IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

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