ACB: Press Releases

Contact:	Robert Schmermund (202) 857-3104 Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145	Jim Eberle (202) 857-3145 (work) (703) 893-2593 (home) [email protected]	For Immediate Release September 12, 2005 #05-62
E-mail: [email protected]

ACB ANNOUNCES ‘BANKERS-HELPING-BANKERS’ PROGRAM TO ASSIST EMPLOYEES, FAMILIES AND BANKS IN GULF COAST REGION

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – ACB President and CEO Diane Casey-Landry today announced the creation of a “Bankers-Helping-Bankers” program through which ACB members can assist banks and their employees in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

“This program is in direct response to the outpouring of concern and support from members across the country for those banks and employees who have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina,” Casey-Landry said. “Our bankers wanted to provide real assistance to other bankers and this program will allow ACB to be a facilitator to do just that.”

“After spending Wednesday of last week with Dan Digby, CEO of the Community Bankers of Louisiana, and hearing about the devastation first-hand, I know that there are bankers in the Gulf region who need all the help we can give,” Casey-Landry declared.

Casey-Landry said that ACB has tried to reach each of its members in the Gulf Coast area. “Through those calls, ACB has already learned that a number of the banks have not only lost facilities, but the bankers themselves and their staffs have lost everything — their homes, cars, clothes — everything.”

ACB has also learned that the Habitat for Humanity house that ACB built for the Lee family during its New Orleans convention in 2001, is one of some 80 Habitat homes lost to Katrina, along with Habitat’s New Orleans office. “We are comforted that the Lees survived, but saddened by the loss of their home,” Casey-Landry said.

Casey-Landry highlighted outreach efforts for bankers and for Habitat:

Bankers-Helping-Bankers. ACB will serve as a clearinghouse and conduit to establish contacts between bankers across the country who are offering assistance, and those in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama who need help. Banks in the affected area want to hear from bankers who can share expertise on disaster recovery, data recovery, working with insurance companies and helping families and employees in distress put their lives back together. Some banks are experiencing liquidity challenges, and could benefit from other banks placing excess funds in their institutions. Help could also include the offer of facilities and even volunteer assistance.

To offer assistance for the “Bankers-Helping-Bankers” program contact Bob Schmermund, ACB’s EVP for Corporate Communications, at 202-857-3104 or [email protected]. He is being continually updated by individual bankers and by the state associations in the affected areas. Those who need assistance will be matched with those offering assistance.

The ACB Housing Partners Foundation is accepting cash donations for two purposes. First, to assist bank employees of affected institutions. This could include financial help for housing, clothes and the basic necessities of life. And second, to help Habitat for Humanity’s New Orleans affiliate. “ACB has a special partnership with Habitat,” Casey-Landry said. “We want to help our Habitat homeowners, the Lee family, to rebuild their home and the best way to do that is to help the New Orleans Habitat get back on its feet.”

ACB is contributing $25,000 to the Bankers-Helping-Bankers Fund, and an additional $25,000 to Habitat’s New Orleans affiliate.

ACB is using the Housing Partners Foundation to collect funds because it is a charitable organization with the ability to distribute funds to those who need it. Contributions are tax deductible. Every dollar of donations will go directly to the victims or to Habitat for Humanity.

Checks can be made payable to either ACB Housing Partners Foundation – Bankers-Helping-Bankers, or to ACB Housing Partners Foundation – Habitat for Humanity New Orleans. Checks should be sent in care of Crystal Redding, Treasurer, America’s Community Bankers, 900 19th Street, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20006.

Regular updates and information are available by clicking the banner on the top of the ACB website at www.AmericasCommunityBankers.com.

America’s Community Bankers is the national trade association committed to shaping the future of banking by being the innovative industry leader strengthening the competitive position of community banks. To learn more about ACB, visit www.AmericasCommunityBankers.com.

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