An investigation on behalf of current investors of City National Corporation (Public, NYSE:CYN) over possible shareholder claims concerning breaches of fiduciary duty related to the historical and potential compensation that was awarded certain senior officers was announced.

According to the investigation by a law firm the investigation focuses on possible claims that certain City Nationals senior officers were unjustly enriched through their receipt of unwarranted, excessive or unearned compensation from 2005-2007. City National Corporation is a bank and a financial holding company. City National Corporation provides a range of banking, investing and trust services to its clients through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, City National Bank. Certain senior officers at City National Corporation, were awarded salaries, bonuses, stock options and other forms of long-term, incentive or retirement compensation that was, so the investigation, excessive or unwarranted based on City Nationals performance as compared to what senior officers at comparable companies were making and/or results that were fraudulent, misleading or not long-lasting. The investigation by the law firm is also investigating claims that the prior compensation awarded at City National Corporation is now clearly improper based upon its current operating condition. Finally the investigation focuses also on possible claims that would allow City National Corporation (NYSE:CYN) stockholders to influence or control future compensation decisions at City National Corporation. City National Corporation is located in Beverly Hills, California and had $16billion in total assets with a net income of $104million in 2008. Shares of City National Corporation (NYSE:CYN) traded recently at $32.87 per share, down from over $63 in September 2008, and almost $78 in 2007.