BOWERS, FURASH, & WILLISTON JOIN AABD BOARD

Jan 6, 1999—Washington, D.C.

The American Association of Bank Directors ("AABD") announced today the addition of three new members to its Board of Advisors for 1999:

• John B. Bowers, Jr.
  Executive Vice President/Treasurer
  Maryland Bankers Association
  
• Edward E. Furash
  Chairman
  Monument Financial Group, L.L.C.
  
• Christopher L. Williston
  President & CEO
  Independent Bankers Association of Texas

“We are delighted to be associated professionally with three such distinguished financial services industry executives,” said AABD Executive Director Greg Golembe. “1999 will be a critical year for bank and savings institution boards. Each of our new advisors deals with director constituents or clients in ways that will bring valuable perspective to AABD initiatives.”

“Year 2000 compliance and liability—as well as risk management, privacy, legislative/regulatory initiatives, and CRA/compliance top the long list of issues being monitored by AABD and about which we will look to our Advisory Board for advice and counsel,” Golembe said.

John Bowers has served as Executive Vice President of the Maryland Bankers Association for 13 years where he is both lobbyist and director of day-to-day activities. Mr. Bowers spent ten years as a commercial banker in Virginia. He also served as director of the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management and as a director of various banker programs with the Virginia Bankers Association.

Ed Furash heads Monument Financial Group, an Alexandria, Virginia-based professional services company specializing in acquisition and strategy support. Writer, educator, banker, industry futurist and consultant, Mr. Furash and his colleagues at Monument advise private parties and financial institutions on acquisitions, equity investments, and entrance into certain business lines.

A subsidiary merchant bank, soon to come on line, will capitalize on equity opportunities in companies that serve the financial services industry.

Chris Williston has spent 24 years as a bank association executive in Texas. He began his career in 1975 with the Texas Bankers Association, leaving in 1987 as Senior Vice President and COO. Following two years with Alex Sheshunoff & Co. as Vice President-Affiliation, he moved to the Independent Bankers Association of Texas as its President and CEO. Mr. Williston is a regular contributor to banking publications and participates on numerous boards and councils supporting financial institutions in his state and nationally.

Continuing on the AABD Board of Advisors for 1999 are Marion A. Cowell, Jr., Esq., First Union Corporation; Samuel L. Foggie, Sr., Washington, DC; Lou Frank, Bank Consultant, Atlanta, GA; George Freibert, Professional Bank Services, Louisville, KY; H. David Hale, First Capital Bank of Kentucky, Louisville, KY; Dan R. Moore, The Matewan National Bank, Matewan, WV, Alfred M. Pollard, The Bankers Roundtable, Washington, DC; Anthony M. Santomero, The Wharton School; Vernon D. Smith, Riverside National Bank, Fort Pierce, FL; and, Kenneth Thomas, K.H. Thomas Associates, Miami, FL.

Founded in 1989, the non-profit American Association of Bank Directors is the only trade group in the United States solely devoted to bank directors and their information, education, and advocacy needs. Approximately 95 percent of AABD members are outside directors of financial institutions. The Institute for Bank Director Education was established in 1992 as the educational arm of the AABD. Its purpose is to act as a clearinghouse and quality control for education programs designed for bank and savings institution directors that support the nationally recognized Director Certification (completion and maintenance) program.