Huntington Expands Wealth Management Services in Wheeling Region

WHEELING, W.Va., June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- While other financial institutions serving the northern panhandle of West Virginia and surrounding Ohio and Pennsylvania regions are consolidating wealth management services to far-away cities, Huntington National Bank (Nasdaq: HBAN; www.huntington.com) plans to retain and expand staff at its nearby St. Clairsville, Ohio, office while adding six to 10 new positions in investment services and wealth management in Wheeling by year end.

Huntington Senior Executive Vice President Daniel B. Benhase reports that Huntington plans to have a full-service operation based in Wheeling before the close of 2010, including executive-level hires and support staff offering private banking, wealth management, brokerage, investment portfolio management and insurance.

Among the first to join Huntington are two longtime, Wheeling-based senior investment strategists, who will help launch a dedicated wealth management and private banking office. Vice presidents Robert J. Klug and Mark A. McKeen bring more than 40 years of combined experience to their roles as Huntington trust officers.

"Bringing on board the level of talent and experience we have in Bob and Mark will fast-track our abilities to hit the ground running in the northern Panhandle region," said Benhase. "Our growth in Wheeling is part of Huntington's strategy to deepen our relationships with our customers throughout the Midwest."

Mark A. McKeen

McKeen, vice president and trust officer, brings 25 years of experience to Huntington as a Wheeling-based senior wealth manager. McKeen built his career with JPMorgan Chase & Co. and predecessor Bank One Corp., having most recently served as first vice president and senior fiduciary officer with JPMorgan Chase. McKeen was team leader for Private Wealth Management for Wheeling and Steubenville.

McKeen is a member of the board and past treasurer of the Wheeling Symphony Society. He is also a board member of the Community Foundation of the Upper Ohio Valley and a member of the Estate Planning Council of the Upper Ohio Valley. A graduate of the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University, McKeen holds his bachelor's in business administration in finance from Ohio University. He lives in St. Clairsville with his family.

Robert J. Klug

Klug, vice president and trust officer, brings 20 years of experience in wealth management in the Wheeling area to Huntington. He is an 18-year veteran of JPMorgan Chase, having launched his financial services career with predecessor Bank One. Klug most recently served as vice president and fiduciary officer with JPMorgan Chase, providing estate and financial planning services and portfolio management for high net worth clients.

Klug is an adjunct instructor in accounting and finance at Wheeling Jesuit University. He is a regular volunteer at the Catholic Neighborhood center. Klug earned his master's in business administration from Wheeling Jesuit University, where he also received his bachelor's of science in accounting. Klug is also a Certified Public Accountant. He lives in Wheeling with his family.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN) is a $52 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Through its affiliated companies, Huntington has been providing a full range of financial services including checking, loans, savings, insurance and investment services to customers for 144 years. Huntington has more than 600 banking offices. Huntington also offers retail and commercial financial services online at huntington.com; through its telephone bank; and through its network of over 1,300 ATMs.

SOURCE Huntington Bancshares Incorporated