For the Second Consecutive Year, Huntington Is the 'Triple Play' Winner in Number of Loans, Loan Volume and Minority Lending, Reports the SBA Cleveland District Office

CLEVELAND, Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntington is the "Triple Play" winner for the second consecutive year in number of loans (365), total dollars ($59 million) and minority lending ($8 million), as reported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Cleveland District Office for the SBA fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. These totals are close to four times higher than the SBA results of any other financial institution in the region.

Huntington is also the fifth-largest SBA lender in the country in number of loans, and the leader in Ohio and in the bank's six state footprint, both in number of loans made and overall dollar volume.

"I am pleased to recognize The Huntington National Bank for their strong commitment to making capital available to Northern Ohio small-business owners," stated Gil Goldberg, district director of the SBA's Cleveland District Office.  "Huntington Bank recognizes that small-business growth is a vital component of our economy, and they are working hard to meet the demand for loans from the small businesses in our area."

"Small businesses are absolutely the lifeblood of our communities and an engine for job growth and recovery. Through Huntington's continued partnership with the SBA, we've helped businesses in Cleveland and across our markets retain and grow jobs, expand their services or buy new equipment and become stronger and better positioned for the future. When we put dollars in the hands of local small business owners, new businesses can start or be rescued, jobs are created and our economy is jump started," said Dan Walsh, regional president for Huntington in the Greater Cleveland Region.  

Ken Ferian, business banking area manager for Huntington in the Greater Cleveland Region said, "Our bank employs an extraordinary team of business bankers in the Northeast Ohio area who have a primary goal of getting capital into the hands of small businesses. When a loan opportunity fits well with the SBA options, we pull in our team of SBA specialists to make it happen. Our record results this year are a reflection of that focus and commitment."

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN) is a $53 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1866, Huntington provides a full range of financial services through its affiliated companies, including checking, loans, savings, insurance and investment services. It has more than 600 branches and also offers retail and commercial financial services online at Huntington.com; through its telephone bank; and through its network of over 1,350 ATMs. Huntington's Auto Finance and Dealer Services group offers automobile loans to consumers and commercial loans to automobile dealers within its six-state banking franchise area, as well as selected New England states.

SOURCE Huntington Bancshares Incorporated