Huntington Names Mike Fezzey President of its SE Michigan Region

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (Nasdaq: HBAN) announced today that it has named Mike Fezzey president of its SE Michigan region. A successful businessman and civic leader, Fezzey has been president and general manager of WJR-AM radio. In addition to leading WJR since 1994, Fezzey also launched and ran Radio Disney Detroit programming for ABC. He will report to Regional and Commercial Banking Director Jim Dunlap, who oversees all of the bank's regional markets and runs the bank's commercial business.

"Mike has a unique combination of business acumen, civic leadership and communication skills," said Dunlap. "His background will enable him to lead Huntington's continued growth in the market, while working with business, civic and government leaders to play a greater role in Michigan's recovery.

"Huntington remains bullish on Michigan," Dunlap added. "Under Mike's leadership, Huntington looks forward to bringing innovative programs to SE Michigan to help businesses and residents recover from the economic downturn. Huntington has implemented housing, jobs and economic development initiatives throughout its Midwestern markets, including Ohio and Western Michigan."

A native of Detroit, Fezzey's service to the community has been broad based with particular emphasis on improving the region's philanthropic giving and the image and reputation of SE Michigan. He has served, or currently serves, on a number of boards including, Cornerstone Schools, New Detroit, the Children's Center, Habitat for Humanity, The Detroit Economic Club, the Parade Company, For the Kids Foundation, Sweet Dreamzzz Detroit and Forgotten Harvest.

Fezzey is the former chair of the marketing committee of the Detroit Regional Chamber, and former president of the Detroit Advertising Association. Fezzey is also the current chair emeritus of the Vatikutti Golf Invitational.

In his role with WJR, Mike earned the prestigious Peabody Award from the University of Georgia, the Neil Shine award for philanthropy in journalism, and was honored, along with his wife, with the 2010 John Dingel Heroes for Babies award.

In 2006 Mike was appointed to the Mentor Michigan Leadership Council by former Governor Granholm, and also earned an honorary doctorate from Central Michigan University.

"I am delighted to join Huntington's team. Their willingness to invest in technology and the service-based businesses, such as health care, matches my passion for this community's long-term viability," said Fezzey. "Huntington has proven to be a national leader in small business lending, which is where the majority of the growth in this region will occur. I see Huntington ready to play a vital role in helping to move our region forward and I am thrilled to be able to lead that charge in Southeastern Michigan."

In 2010, Huntington committed $4 billion over a three-year period to small business lending. That has resulted in a 57% increase in small business lending in SE Michigan. Huntington also became the fifth largest SBA lender in the United States and the No. 1 SBA lender in Michigan in terms of number of loans and dollar volume, having made $52.7 million in SBA loans in the state. The bank also expanded its outreach to businesses with the hiring of eight seasoned commercial bankers from Comerica.

The bank was a significant lender for the Grand Rapids Medical Mile, a complex which now includes the new Michigan State University's School of Human Medicine facilities and houses about 10,000 clinical and research employees and physicians. In Ohio, Huntington formed partnerships with the state and increased small business lending by more than $465 million. It also partnered with the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing and invested $100 million for affordable housing.

About Huntington

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $53 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Through its affiliated companies, Huntington has been providing a full range of financial services for 144 years. Huntington offers checking, loans, savings, insurance and investment services. It has more than 600 branches and also offers retail and commercial financial services online; 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 our six-state banking franchise area, as well as selected New England states.  

SOURCE Huntington Bancshares Incorporated