Allen Lambert - Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Allen Lambert became President of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) in 1960 and Chairman the following year. The bank was not in the first rank of financial institutions at the time, and he later recalled that “we had all gone through a period of frustration at being smaller than the others, and not being quite able to compete fully.” Over the eighteen years of Lambert’s leadership, TD became Canada’s fastest growing bank and a major presence on the international financial scene. Lambert toured the world seeking business opportunities, opening local offices, and building solid relationships with major clients. He was a tireless promoter of customer service, ensured that the Bank was an innovator in technology, and promoted progressive training and benefit programs for employees. He started TD’s corporate art program and, as a centennial project in 1967, developed one of Canada’s foremost collections of Inuit art. He combined a demanding life in business with a remarkable record of public and community service, chairing royal commissions and federal advisory bodies, serving as a member of international organizations, and acting as a frequent speaker and essayist on economic issues. Shortly before his retirement in 1978 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his contributions to national life.