Summit Bank CEO Appointed to FDIC Advisory Committee on Community Banking

Ann Marie Mehlum Named One of 15 Community Bankers to serve on Key FDIC Committee

SALEM, Ore., Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ann Marie Mehlum, president and CEO of Summit Bank, headquartered in Eugene, Ore., has been appointed to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) Advisory Committee on Community Banking (Advisory Committee). Mehlum is one of only 15 bankers serving on the Advisory Committee. There are over 7,000 community banks in the United States, of which 32 are headquartered in the State of Oregon.

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"While I appreciate all the efforts the FDIC makes to achieve what it wants to achieve, we know there are many well‐meaning rules and regulations that don't accomplish their objectives and have unintended consequences in the field," said Mehlum. "The Advisory Council speaks directly to FDIC Acting Chairman Martin Gruenberg and his executive team in Washington about the real impacts of FDIC actions on community banks."

The Advisory Committee was first established in 2009 to provide the FDIC with guidance on a broad range of important policy issues impacting community banks throughout the country, as well as the local communities they serve. The Advisory Committee's work focuses on issues such as bank examination policies and procedures, credit and lending practices, deposit insurance assessments, insurance coverage issues and regulatory compliance matters. They are also chartered to look at obstacles to the continued growth and ability of community banks to extend financial services in their local markets in the current market environment.

About Mehlum's appointment to the Advisory Committee, Oregon Bankers Association President and CEO Linda Navarro said, "We are very fortunate to have Ann Marie serving on this prestigious national committee. She is an important voice for Oregon and Pacific Northwest banks. Challenges and opportunities facing community banks differ to some degree from region to region. As past president of the OBA and as a respected and experienced leader in the Oregon banking community, Ann Marie knows the issues that are unique and important to our region."

Mehlum attended her first meeting of the Advisory Committee on February 17, 2012, at the FDIC headquarters in Washington, DC. It was held in connection with the FDIC's Future of Community Banking Conference. "Having attended my first meeting, I am encouraged by the dialogue that took place. I also am pleased that the FDIC is undertaking a project to define what a 'community bank' really is, which goes beyond being a specific size and may include identifiers such as types of products and services offered, ownership structure, a 'relationship' versus 'transaction' model, and other definable descriptors," said Mehlum. "During our meeting, Acting Chairman Gruenberg reiterated the FDIC's commitment to maintaining a strong, critically important community banking industry."

About The Oregon Bankers Association
Established in 1905, the Oregon Bankers Association is Oregon's only full‐service trade association representing state and national commercial and savings banks chartered to do business in Oregon. More information is available at www.oregonbankers.com.

SOURCE Oregon Bankers Association