BETHALTO CENTER GRAND OPENING

• Tom Wylie, known to his fans as part of the Tom and Moses team on KFNS-590AM Radio’s “The Sound Off” program, will be spending Sat., Sept. 29 out of the station and live in Bethalto.
  
  A resident of Bethalto, Wylie will be broadcasting live and signing autographs with his co-host Moses on Sept. 29 from noon to 1 p.m. as part of TheBANK of Edwardsville’s Grand Opening to celebrate the opening of its new Bethalto Center, located at 102 Bethalto Blvd. in the heart of the growing community. The Grand Opening will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include a variety of activities, giveaways and special offers for guests.
  
  Wylie was the winner of KFNS-FM’s Put Up or Shut Up competition allowing him the opportunity to co-host a one-hour program on the station on Saturdays for one year. The “Tom and Moses” team began in mid July and has already received an overwhelming response as a team that can generate calls and quality insight into the sports world for that week.
  
  “I am really looking forward to helping with the opening of the bank and encourage people in the community of Bethalto and the surrounding areas to stop by for an autograph and an update on the week in sports,” said Wylie.
  
  Other activities planned for the Grand Opening include free food and kettle corn, a balloon animal artist, caricature artist, face painting, giveaways and special bank promotions.
  
  “We have a lot of great activities planned for the Grand Opening event and encourage everyone in the community to join us in celebration of the opening. Live radio remotes are also a lot of fun to witness, particularly when one of the broadcasters is your friend or neighbor,” said Perry Withers, Vice President and Center Manager of TheBANK’s Bethalto Banking Center.

TheBANK OF EDWARDSVILLE CELEBRATES THE START OF CONSTRUCTION AT WOOD RIVER CENTER WITH GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

• TheBANK of Edwardsville today celebrated the start of construction at the site of its future Wood River Center, located at 1153 Vaughn Road in Wood River. The new center is TheBANK’s first center to be located in Wood River, adding another convenient location for customers who live in and around the River Bend area.
  
  Plans for the 3,000-square-foot Wood River Center include four drive up lanes plus a fifth lane dedicated to a 24-hour ATM, and full-service banking services to include safe deposit boxes, loans, trusts, investments and customer service that is second to none. Similar to its other new centers throughout the Metro East, the Wood River Center will be equipped with the latest drive up and ATM technology to provide safe and efficient services for its customers.
  “Today marks the start of construction on our first center to be located in the City of Wood River, which is anticipated to be complete by March or April of 2008. We have been anxious to get the construction started so we can be one step closer to delivering the quality products and services for which TheBANK has built its reputation,” said Tom Holloway, president of TheBANK of Edwardsville.
  
  The groundbreaking celebration was held on the heels of TheBANK’s recent opening of its new Bethalto Banking Center and will mark the start of construction on TheBANK’s 19th center in Madison and St. Clair Counties. The Wood River Center will be located at the site of the former Wood River bowling alley and will be accessible from both Harrison Road and Illinois Route 111.
  
  Impact Strategies will serve as general contractor for the project.
  
  “We recognized the incredible development underway in Wood River and are pleased with the opportunity to enter the community in the middle of all of the economic activity. TheBANK’s presence is growing in the River Bend and we are happy to add another point of convenience for our customers who live and work near our centers in Alton, East Alton, Bethalto and, soon, our new Wood River Center,” added Holloway.

TheBANK OF EDWARDSVILLE INVITES PUBLIC OUT TO THE BALLGAME: Coca Cola SCOREBOARD PATIO Tickets and Transportation for Select Dates

• TheBANK of Edwardsville is offering to take folks out to the ballgame this summer with group rates and transportation packages for three ballgames at the new Cardinal Stadium. Available game dates are June 18 (St. Louis Cardinals vs. Kansas City Royals); August 7 (St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Diego Padres) and/or Sept. 19 (St. Louis Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Phillies.) Each of the games begin at 7:10 p.m. Packages are available for individual games or for a package to include reserved seats at all three games.
  
  Amenities for each game includes a reserved, covered seat at a table for four, a two-hour, all-you-can-eat picnic buffet with Hunter Hot Dogs, BBQ Beef, Boneless Breast of Chicken , Nachos & Cheese, Baked Beans, Brownies and choices of beverage. Transportation from TheBANK’s Main Office in downtown Edwardsville is also available with a departure time of 5:30 p.m. for each game. Parking for the motor coach transportation is available at TheBANK’s Main Office parking lot.
  The cost for one reserved ticket and transportation is $98. To purchase just a reserved seat and no transportation, the ticket cost is $83. Space is limited for each game so please call Kathy Dickmann at 618-659-6202 today to reserve your tickets.
  
  "We encourage folks to call in quickly as space is limited. This is a great employee incentive option, a networking opportunity if you have a client you would like to treat or a nice way to spend the evening with friends and family. TheBANK is committed to the community and is pleased to offer a safe and family friendly option for this ballgame season not only to our customers but to anyone who wants to join us," added Dickmann.
  
   

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. Angela Bozsa of Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville; Stephanie Czeschin of Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto; Mallory Smyth of Edwardsville High School and Mark Thurman of Belleville High School were chosen as the 2007 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.
  
  “We are proud to be a part of Your Community Foundation’s Scholarship Programs and of the students that we have selected as our 2007 recipients. They all have bright futures ahead of them and we hope that the assistance they receive as part of the scholarship program will help them in getting a positive start in their studies,” said Tom Holloway, president of TheBANK of Edwardsville. “TheBANK believes strongly in giving back to the community and our commitment to providing scholarships reinforces that we plan to remain a locally-owned community bank for years to come.”
  
  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.
  
  One of the scholarship recipients, Angela Bozsa of Althoff High School in Belleville, said “I am really appreciative to TheBANK of Edwardsville for this scholarship. This is a really nice surprise to get such a great award after working so hard in high school for four years.” Bozsa has plans to attend University of Missouri Columbia to study Physical Therapy.
  
  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 “American’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 REFLECTS ON ANOTHER OUTSTANDING YEAR IN OPERATION AT ANNUAL MEETING

• The year 2006 proved to be a year of growth and innovation for TheBANK of Edwardsville according to bank executives and board members at TheBANK’s recent annual meeting. With the theme “Building Our Future” Tom Holloway, president of TheBANK of Edwardsville, reflected on TheBANK’s continued growth with the construction of several new banking centers, TheBANK’s expansion into St. Clair County and the development of new products delivered by high level of service by a quality staff.
  
  In 2006, TheBANK acquired its O’Fallon Banking Center and expanded further into St. Clair County by opening a temporary modular banking center at the site of its future Belleville Center, located at the corner of Frank Scott Parkway and West Main in Belleville. While construction is underway for the 4,700-square-foot banking facility that will be the showcase of TheBANK’s presence in Belleville, the temporary modular facility will provide full-service banking options for customers until the new center is open in late summer of 2007.
  
  TheBANK also invested back into communities where existing banking centers are located. TheBANK’s Granite City Nameoki Banking Center and its Collinsville Banking Center both received facelifts to help improve customer service, aesthetics and convenience options at both locations. A new banking center is underway in Bethalto, located at Route 140 and Prairie Street, adding another point of convenience for customers in the Riverbend area. And, after 30 years of service, TheBANK’s landmark Montclaire Center was replaced with a new state-of-the-art Edwardsville Center/Troy Road that is equipped with cutting edge imaging technology at the ATM, a larger lobby area for added customer service and additional drive up lanes.
  
  
  TheBANK also adopted several innovate new products to offer both its personal and business customers. It’s “Deposit@Work” product allow commercial customers to scan checks and deposits and electronically submit them to TheBANK directly from their places of business. We also installed our first image-enabled ATMs at our new Edwardsville Center and at our banking center in Belleville. These new ground-breaking drive-up ATMs allow customers to make envelope-free deposits and receive printed images of their deposited checks on their ATM receipt. TheBANK also introduced an expanded array of new residential mortgage products including Guaranteed Rural Housing Loans, for which TheBANK’s staff of mortgage originators was recently commended by the USDA for closing more than $3 million in loans in 2006.
  
  “Remaining competitive and securing a future in the marketplace requires not just land, buildings and equipment or technology but, even more so, continuing to invest and appreciate a staff who our customers know and trust,” said Holloway. During the annual meeting, special recognition was given to a number of employee/stockholders who have served TheBANK for 25 years or more, as well as the retired employees/stockholders who were also in attendance.
  
  The 2007 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, Allen Cassens, Kay Sharon Cassens, Michael Cassens, Joe Hassler, Tom Holloway, Donald Metzger, Robert Plummer, Mark Shashek, Robert Wetzel and Charles Unger. Emeritus board members include, Clinton Rogier, Olin Wetzel, Albert Cassens and George Willaredt.

TheBANK OF EDWARDSVILLE CONTRIBUTES $5,000 IN SUPPORT OF THE 2007 GLEN CARBON HOMECOMING FIREWORKS DISPLAY

• Making it the largest sponsor of the 2007 Glen Carbon Homecoming, TheBANK of Edwardsville today presented a check for $5,000 to the Homecoming Committee in support of this year’s fireworks display. TheBANK of Edwardsville is a renewed supporter of the Glen Carbon Homecoming, which typically draws 3,000 to 4,000 people from throughout the area.
  
  “We are so grateful to TheBANK of Edwardsville for their continued support of the Glen Carbon Homecoming and their overall dedication to giving back to the communities in which it serves,” said Mary Ann Smith, chairperson of the Glen Carbon Community Events Committee. “Their support makes it possible for us to provide another outstanding fireworks display to our homecoming attendees, which is always the highlight of the event.”
  
  The 2007 Glen Carbon Homecoming celebration will be held at Old Town Glen Carbon on Friday, June 15 from 5 p.m. to midnight and Saturday, June 16 from 3p.m. to midnight. The fireworks display will be held on Saturday night at dusk.
  
  This is the second year of the Glen Carbon Homecoming, formerly Glen Fest. In addition to the spectacular fireworks display, other events planned include a parade, food vendors, carnival rides, and the smash car event. Attendees will also enjoy musical performances throughout the event by Joey James Orchestra, Night Moves, Dave Hylla’s Goodtime Band and Dee Dee and the Dinos. For more information on scheduled events, sponsorships or how to become a food vendor or participate in the parade, please visit www.glen-carbon.il.us or call Mary Ann Smith, chairperson of the Glen Carbon Community Events Committee, at (618) 288-7785.
  
  When it comes to being involved in the community, TheBANK of Edwardsville has built a tradition of community service that includes everything from having floats in parades to sponsorships of fund-raisers benefiting non-profit organizations. TheBANKS’s Board of Directors as well as its more than 390 employees lends their time to a variety of civic organizations and clubs. In TheBANK’s 139-year history, its staff has been involved in local Chamber of Commerce organizations, Jaycees, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club, Junior Service, Business and Professional Women, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, MDA and many more.
  
  “TheBANK prides itself on being a locally owned community bank and we understand that by supporting events and organizations throughout our service area that we are contributing to the outstanding quality of life we all share,” added Tom Holloway, president of TheBANK of Edwardsville. “TheBANK continually looks for opportunities to give back to the community. It’s our way of saying thank you to the people who have helped make our bank what it is today.”

TheBANK OF EDWARDSVILLE CLOSES $3 MILLION IN GUARANTEE RURAL HOUSING LOANS: RECEIVES AWARD FROM USDA

• TheBANK of Edwardsville today announced that it has been recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program for closing more than $3 million in Guarantee Rural Housing Loans during fiscal year 2006. TheBANK is proud to have increased its Guarantee loans through its mortgage department to the $3 million milestone, far exceeding its FY 2005 total of $540,000.
  
  “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, assistant vice president of mortgage production 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.”
  
  Guarantee Rural Housing Loans are available to assist eligible households with incomes that do not exceed 115% of the medium income for the area. The program provides up to 100% financing for the moderate-income applicants. This eliminates the need for a down payment and private mortgage insurance. Customers receive competitive 30-year loans with fixed-interest rates. Borrowers are able to work with local community lenders, such as TheBANK of Edwardsville, using conventional lenders’ forms and receive quick service.
  
  “This 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.”
  
  The Guarantee Rural Housing Loans also have flexible credit standards, expanded qualifying ratios, no maximum purchase price limits and generous income limits.
  
  For more information about the Guarantee Rural Housing Loan or other loan products of TheBANK of Edwardsville, please call (618) 656-0057 or visit www.4thebank.com.

TheBANK DONATES $10,000 TO AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S RELAY FOR LIFE TO HELP FIGHT CANCER IN MADISON & ST. CLAIR COUNTIES

• During 2007, more than 2,700 Madison and St. Clair county residents will be diagnosed with cancer. That’s why TheBANK of Edwardsville has stepped up to the plate to sponsor the regional American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life events that are held each year to help raise money to aid in the fight against Cancer.
  
  According to Nikki Turner, Community Relations Coordinator for TheBANK of Edwardsville, Relay For Life is one of many programs TheBANK of Edwardsville will be supporting throughout the year as part of its ongoing commitment to community service and outreach. “TheBANK likes to focus its charitable donations and volunteers on causes that are important to our staff and the American Cancer Society is an organization that is clearly important to many people at TheBANK. Not only do we have several branches that take part in the Relay For Life events, many of the employees serve as volunteers and participants. In addition, many of TheBANK's employees have been either directly or indirectly touched by cancer and Relay For Life gives them a great opportunity to help find a cure.”
  
  TheBANK has provided sponsorship support of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life events for several years. According to Joan Lebkuecher, Metro East Regional Leadership Board Chairperson for the American Cancer Society, “This is not an isolated incident. TheBANK of Edwardsville has been very generous in supporting our events over the years. They have provided an outstanding example of what a corporate citizen should be by giving back to the community and helping us in our fight against cancer. We are also very, very grateful for sponsors and all of our volunteers. We encourage other companies and individuals to consider lending us a hand for this year’s event as either a sponsor or volunteer. It’s truly a rewarding experience.”
  
  TheBANK of Edwardsville was this year’s first corporate sponsor of Relay For Life. The Belleville News Democrat will be a 2007 media sponsor.
  
  Of the more than 2,700 Madison and St. Clair county residents that will be diagnosed with cancer this year, nearly 20 percent of these diagnoses will be lung and bronchus cancers. The other three leading types of cancer diagnoses are prostate, breast and colorectal cancer. According to House, the overall cancer incidence in Madison and St. Clair counties is higher than the Illinois average, which is why the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division, Metro East Region is making an even greater effort to assist in the early detection and prevention of these four types of cancer. The Metro East Region of the American Cancer Society also serves Jersey, Bond, Clinton and Monroe counties in Illinois.
  
  The money raised as a result of the events will be used to help fund the American Cancer Societies mission of research, education, advocacy and patient services. For more information on how you can help, please visit www.cancer.org or call
  (800) ACS-2345.
  
  TheBANK of Edwardsville has built a tradition of community service that includes everything from having floats in parade to sponsorships of fund-raisers benefiting non-profit organizations. TheBANKS’s Board of Directors as well as its more than 400 employees lends their time to a variety of civic organizations and clubs. In TheBANK’s 139-year history, its staff has been involved in local Chamber of Commerce organizations, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions Club, Junior Service, Business and Professional Women, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, March of Dimes and many more.