TheBANK OF EDWARDSVILLE CLOSES $5 MILLION IN GUARANTEE RURAL HOUSING LOANS: RECEIVES AWARD FROM USDA

• TheBANK of Edwardsville today announced that it received the top honor from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program for closing more than $5 million in Guarantee Rural Housing Loans during fiscal year 2009. Each year the USDA Rural Development Program recognizes lenders that excel in using the federal agency’s guaranteed loan program to increase home ownership.
  
  With the Rural Development guarantee, TheBANK of Edwardsville can offer 100 percent loans with no required down payment, no private monthly mortgage insurance (PMI), no maximum purchase price, competitive fixed interest rates, and 30 year terms. The program includes flexible credit guidelines and generous income limits. Guarantee Rural Housing Loans are available to assist eligible households with incomes that do not exceed 115% of the medium income for the area.
  
  “In this difficult housing market, TheBANK of Edwardsville committed to using Rural Development’s guaranteed home loan program to help as many homebuyers as possible reach their dreams of owning a home,” said Janet Fauth, a Rural Development specialist in the agency’s Edwardsville office. TheBANK of Edwardsville provided 44 homebuyers with $5 million in Rural Development backed home loans this year.”
  
  The Guarantee Rural Housing Loans also have flexible credit standards, expanded qualifying ratios, no maximum purchase price limits and generous income limits.
  
  “We believe wholeheartedly in the Guarantee loan product and are very proud to receive recognition from the USDA Rural Development Program for our efforts to provide this type of loan to our customers,” said Steve Fuehne, vice president of mortgage lending for TheBANK of Edwardsville. “Likewise, our customers have embraced the Guarantee loan product and have been thrilled with the opportunity to take advantage of the loan’s features and flexibility, making it easier for them to own their dream home, even in this economy.”
  
  Fuehne adds, “The USDA’s Guarantee Rural Housing Loan is a terrific option for families or individuals that have a moderate income but have goals of owning their own home or are interested in making a transition to a larger home,” added Fuehne. “The product is incredibly flexible and has proven to be a good fit for several of our customers.”
  
  For more information about the Guarantee Rural Housing Loan or other loan products of TheBANK of Edwardsville, please call (618) 656-0098 or visit www.4thebank.com.
  
  TheBANK of Edwardsville, with its 2009 theme: “Because We Care,” has assets exceeding $1.25 billion and a long tradition of providing personal service, offering innovative products and giving back to the communities in which it serves.

TheBANK OF EDWARDSVILLE AWARDS COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS TO FOUR AREA STUDENTS

• Four high school seniors from throughout the metro east were recently chosen to receive college scholarships through TheBANK of Edwardsville’s Community Scholarship Program, entitling each to $2,000 per year for four years. Ugwem Eneyo of Edwardsville High School, Kari Weis of Highland High School, Tanya Tepen of Althoff Catholic High School and Alexandra Vecchio of Belleville East High School were chosen as the 2009 scholarship recipients. The recipients were chosen for exhibiting positive leadership and character in both academic achievements and community activities.
  
  In August of 2000, TheBANK introduced its Community Scholarship Program pledging $1.3 million toward scholarships to be awarded over the next 30 years to local graduating seniors. The Greater Edwardsville Area Community Foundation, which is governed by a board of local residents, administers the program. The Foundation Board’s Selection Committee includes two members of the Board itself along with representatives from local high schools.
  
  “TheBANK of Edwardsville has established this scholarship program to keep with our tradition of community service and commitment to the education of future civic and business leaders,” said Tom Holloway, president of TheBANK of Edwardsville. “We are very proud of the accomplishments of the students we selected for the scholarships and look forward to watching them progress through college and as they enter the workforce.”
  
  
  The selection committee evaluated the applicants on academic achievement, leadership, and character exhibited both at school and in extracurricular activities. Selection criteria also included leadership in community activities as well as the positive impact the students have had on others.
  
  TheBANK’s Community Scholarship Program was created as part of the American Banker’s Association “Banks of Promise” effort, which is the banking industry’s pledge toward General Colin Powell’s “America’s Promise – The Alliance For Youth.” TheBANK has committed to America’s Promise by partnering with not-for-profit organizations, athletes, mayors, governors, teachers, college professors and others to benefit area youth through a variety of sponsorships and donations.
   

TheBANK OF EDWARDSVILLE RECEIVES CINTAS DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

• Recognized for its environmental responsibility in its efforts to recycle paper at all of its banking centers, TheBANK of Edwardsville recently received an award from Cintas, a company that provides highly specialized services such as document management to businesses of all sizes throughout the United States.
  
  TheBANK received the award from Cintas Document Management for our efforts to keep our customers’ non-public information safe by shredding and therefore, recycling vast amounts of paper throughout all of our banking centers. We are the number one recycler of paper amongst all of Cintas customers!” said Amy Schweiker, Risk Management Office at TheBANK of Edwardsville.
  
  In 2008, TheBANK’s recycling of confidential paper waste:
  • Saved 5,440 trees
  • Saved 121,600 gallons of oil
  • Saved 2,240,000 gallons of water
  • Saved 960 cubic yards of waste being added to our local landfill
  
  “TheBANK will continue to look for ways to reduce spending, reduce waste, reuse or recycle materials and are so grateful to Cintas for recognizing our efforts with an award,” added Schweiker.

TheBANK OF EDWARDSVILLE REFLECTS ON ANOTHER  OUTSTANDING YEAR IN BANKING AT ANNUAL MEETING:
Reports Strong Growth Despite Downward Trends in the Economy

• Despite reports of the financial troubles among non-traditional banks, TheBANK of Edwardsville recently reported at its annual meeting a capital ratio over 9.4%, nearly double the ratio required by federal regulators, as well as an 18 percent increase in community lending in 2008.
  
  Mark Shashek, chairman of the THE BANC ED CORP. holding company and a member of TheBANK of Edwardsville’s board of directors, set the tone for the evening with the message that not all banks are having problems and that of the 8,300 traditional banks in the country--including TheBANK of Edwardsville—most did not make sub-prime loans. These are two of the reasons being blamed for the problems in the banking industry and the economy.
  
  “The president of the American Bankers Association put it best: ‘Wall Street and Main Street banking are very different.’ TheBANK of Edwardsville is locally owned and managed. We are your home town bank,” said Shashek. “Today, the term ‘bank’ is being used to mean many things, including investment banks which are not banks in the traditional sense; they do not take deposits and make loans.”
  
  Shashek went on to say that it wasn't banks that caused the problems. “It was unregulated mortgage lenders and others who were only lightly regulated. Adding more oversight to banks, already one of the most regulated industries, will not improve things.”
  
  Shashek also spoke of the myths about the current lending market. “We often hear that banks aren’t lending right now. This is not true. TheBANK of Edwardsville is still lending and in fact increased our total loans by 18 percent in 2008. We believe being a local, community bank helps us. We get to know our borrowers and can make better decisions about who to lend money to and when to make loans’,” added Shashek. “None of this is to say that TheBANK doesn’t face challenges. Bank failures nationwide will require significant increases in FDIC insurance premium costs, and provisions will have to be made to help protect against inevitable loan losses in this recessionary economy. We are up to the challenges ahead. We have been around for more than 140 years and we are here to stay.”
  
  The annual meeting also served as a farewell to long-time board member Allen Cassens as he announced his retirement from TheBANK of Edwardsville’s board of directors. Cassens, whose retirement was effective March 1, 2009, has been a loyal member of the board for 21 years. During that time he served on the Data Processing, Loan, and Operations Committees. He also served as Chairman of the Audit Committee.
  
  “Allen’s contributions to our success over the years have been significant. We thank him sincerely and wish him well in all his future endeavors,” said Tom Holloway, president of TheBANK of Edwardsville.
  
  The 2009 elected board of directors for THE BANC ED CORP., TheBANK’s holding company, are William Alexander, Kay Sharon Cassens, Michael Cassens, Tom Holloway, Robert Plummer and Mark Shashek.
  
  TheBANK of Edwardsville’s Board of Directors includes William Alexander, Kay Sharon Cassens, Michael Cassens, Joe Hassler, Tom Holloway, Donald Metzger, Robert Plummer, Mark Shashek, Robert Wetzel and Charles Unger.
   

TheBANK OF EDWARDSVILLE CELEBRATES OPENING OF ITS 21st BANKING CENTER: New Belleville Location Adds Another Point of Convenience in St. Clair County

• BELLEVILLE, ILL., January 13, 2009 . . . A ribbon of two dollar bills was cut today at the site of TheBANK of Edwardsville’s newest location in Belleville. The event was held to celebrate the opening of the new Belleville S. Green Mount Road Center, TheBANK’s 21st location and fourth in St. Clair County, located at 360 South Green Mount Road in East Belleville.

  Bob Mueller, St. Clair County Market President for TheBANK said, “We recognize the continued growth in St. Clair County and are pleased to offer our growing customer base in the area another banking center at which they can receive the same great service, innovative products and community support that they have grown to expect from TheBANK. We are anxious to serve our existing customers and look forward to introducing new customers in the area to the many great products and services we have to offer.”
  Mueller also introduced John Venarsky as center manager of the Belleville S. Green Mount Road Center. Venarsky brings to TheBANK more than 25 years of banking experience.

  The Belleville S. Green Mount Road Center was built by IMPACT Strategies and offers full-service banking to include safe deposit boxes, loans, trusts, investments and customer service that is second to none. Offering 3,000 square feet of banking space, the center includes three drive-up lanes plus a fourth lane dedicated to a 24-hour ATM.
  
  TheBANK of Edwardsville, which celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2008, has assets exceeding $1.1 billion and a long tradition of providing personal service, offering the most innovative products and giving back to the communities in which it serves.

TheBANK OF EDWARDSVILLE RECOGNIZED WITH AWARD FOR SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE ST. LOUIS REGION

• At a presentation dinner at the Riverfront Hyatt Regency, the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association presented TheBANK of Edwardsville with the prestigious Top 50 Businesses Shaping Our Future Award.
  Of the 50 recipients, TheBANK was one of only two banks honored and one of only 3 Illinois businesses honored. In addition to TheBANK, this year's TOP 50 included such businesses as Ameren, BJC HealthCare, Express Scripts and Monsanto
  
  Winning companies are selected based on contributions to the St. Louis region, combined with the positive effect they have had on the future of business in our region. Nominees, of which there were more than 200, were reviewed by a selection committee comprised of representatives from the award sponsors of RCGA, Deloitte, Ameren, Edward Jones, Southwest Bank, St. Louis Commerce Magazine, KMOX, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and STLtoday.com. Factors such as each company's growth in employees, contributions and enhancements of the community, revenue growth, and development/expansion of facilities, among others, were reviewed. TheBANK was also honored with the TOP 50 award in 2005.
  
  TheBANK of Edwardsville has loaned millions of dollars to help the development of the area’s organizations, associations, hospitals and municipalities. Over the last year, the bank has produced more than $215 million in commercial loans and experienced record growth in the
  mortgage market by making 830 mortgage loans that totaled more than $125 million. TheBANK has also shown steady growth in revenue, provides more than 400 local jobs and soon will open its 21st banking center in the metro east.
  “We are so pleased to be one of the accomplished companies included among the 2008 Greater St. Louis Top 50 and thank our customers and the communities we serve for our ability to grow and expand our business. Southwestern Illinois is a wonderful business climate and has proven to be a positive environment in which TheBANK can strive, running full circle with our commitment to our customers and the community. Thank you to the RCGA and the selection committee for recognizing our continued efforts to improve the region and strengthen our shared economy,” said Tom Holloway, president, TheBANK of Edwardsville.