Huntington Auto Finance Launches Donation Drive for Red Cross to Support Japan Relief Efforts

COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the crisis in Japan and in recognition of the impact on the automotive industry, Huntington (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com) Auto Finance will make a donation for every automobile loan booked through its auto dealership partners – totaling as much as $100,000 – to the Japanese Red Cross Society. Donations will be made in the names of the dealers who choose to participate in the program, which will run from May 2 to 31, 2011.

"The earthquake and tsunami that devastated northern Japan have created great hardships for the Japanese people," said Rich Porrello, director of Huntington's auto finance business. "With this donation program, we purposefully involved our auto dealer partners -- who are directly connected to Japan through the global automotive industry -- so that together we could show our support and solidarity for the Japanese people as they recover from this disaster with their characteristic resilience and determination."

"We are extremely grateful for our strong and long-standing relationship with Huntington Bank," said Michael Carroll, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Greater Columbus. "They have been a great partner to us locally and now join with the Red Cross in bringing aid to the people of Japan."

Huntington hopes to raise as much as $100,000 through this collaborative effort with its future auto loan customers and 2,500 auto dealer partners. The contribution will be made to the Japanese Red Cross Society, which has been providing medical and psychological support, as well as temporary housing, for those affected by the recent earthquakes and tsunami in Japan.

Huntington has provided new and used automobile financing and dealer services throughout the Midwest for more than 60 years, and currently serves customers in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The company also delivers comprehensive banking services to many of its auto dealer customers.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $53 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1866, Huntington provides full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial product and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington's six-state banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of over 600 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and over 1,300 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking franchise area and selected New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers.

The logo mark and Huntington® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

SOURCE Huntington Bancshares Incorporated