[SAMSON BELAIR DELOITTE & TOUCHE LOGO] [PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LOGO] Exhibit 4 COMMENTS BY AUDITORS FOR U.S. READERS ON CANADA-U.S. REPORTING DIFFERENCE In the United States of America, reporting standards for auditors require the addition of an explanatory paragraph (following the opinion paragraph) when there is a change in accounting principles that has a material effect on the comparability of the company's financial statements, such as the change described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended October 31, 2002, relating to the adoption by the Bank of the CICA Handbook section 3062 -- Goodwill and other intangible assets. Our report to the shareholders dated November 29, 2002 is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards, which do not require a reference to such a change in accounting principles in the auditors' report when the change is properly accounted for and adequately disclosed in the financial statements. <Table> <Caption> [SAMSON BELAIR/DELOITTE & TOUCHE SIGNATURE] [PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP SIGNATURE] - ------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Samson Belair/Deloitte & Touche PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP General Partnership Chartered Accountants Chartered Accountants </Table> November 29, 2002 SAMSON BELAIR/DELOITTE & TOUCHE, S.E.N.C. PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS s.c.l. COMPTABLES AGREES COMPTABLES AGREES 1, Place Ville-Marie 1250, boul. Rene-Levesque Ouest Bureau 3000 Bureau 2800 Montreal (Quebec) H3B 4T9 Montreal (Quebec) H3B 2G4 Telephone : (514) 393-7115 Telephone : (514) 205-5000 Telecopieur : (514) 390-4100 Telecopieur : (514) 876-1502