Meridian Bank, N.A. Prepares for Expansion With Changes in Executive Leadership

PHOENIX, June 17 AZ-Meridian-Bank


PHOENIX, June 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Bank, N.A., announced today that
Julie Raymond has joined Meridian Bank Arizona as Executive Vice President and
Chief Administrative Officer.  In her new position, Raymond will work closely
with Len LaBrie who was promoted to Executive Vice President of Arizona
Banking.


In this important role, Raymond will be responsible for providing
strategic direction and support to the leaders of the bank's Operations,
Client Services, Human Resources, Marketing and Consumer Administration areas.
Raymond, along with LaBrie and Mike Done, President of Commercial Real Estate,
will work in continuing to build the Arizona market through existing
strategies and new initiatives.


Raymond joins Meridian Bank after holding a similar role for the last four
years at First National Bank of Arizona as Executive Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer.  Previously, Raymond held the position of Executive
Vice President, Director of Branch Administration at National Bank of Arizona
where she was responsible for Retail Banking, and providing leadership to
marketing and enterprise initiatives.  Raymond spent 13 years with National
Bank of Arizona, directing the bank's growth from 5 to 52 branches.


Her background and experience are an exceptional fit with the Meridian
Bank's needs as it expands its sales and service culture, opens new offices,
introduces new products and services to build the Meridian brand.


Raymond has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Applied Management from
Grand Canyon University and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.
In the community, she volunteers her time with the Glendale Police
Department's Victim Assistance Program.  In this capacity she provides crisis
intervention services and victim rights information to victims of crime in
addition to co-facilitating RAD (women's self defense) classes.  She also is
involved with the Arizona Foundation for Women, an organization that focuses
on the prevention and intervention of domestic violence and child abuse.


LaBrie, now in the key position of Executive Vice President of Arizona
Banking, will be responsible for branches in Arizona while he continues to
manage the East Region.  He will work closely with other senior managers to
maximize the sales and service effectiveness of other branches.  LaBrie will
also take over as Chairman of Loan Committee.  LaBrie has been with Meridian
Bank since 1996.


"With the addition of Julie Raymond and the promotion of Len LaBrie to
these executive leadership roles, Meridian Bank Arizona is positioned to take
advantage of growth opportunities in our markets," said Doug Hile, Chairman
and CEO of Meridian Bank, N.A.  "In these uncertain times in the economy,
Meridian has the benefit of an exceptionally strong capital base and
diversified earnings. We expect to thrive in spite of the challenges in the
financial sector today by continuing our focus on developing excellent
customer relationships and community partnerships. Julie and Len share this
focus and they will lead us to new levels of success."


Meridian Bank, N.A. located in Phoenix, Arizona, offers commercial lending
to small businesses and real estate developers as well as community based
lending, deposit and investment products.  Meridian, meaning "the utmost" or
"the highest degree" reflects their "mission to provide banking to the highest
degree of service, professionalism, products and partnerships within the
communities."



Meridian Bank has nine offices in and around the Phoenix area. The bank
has total assets of $2.2 billion with a loan portfolio of $1.8 billion and
deposits of $1.6 billion. For more information, visit www.meridianbank.com.



SOURCE  Meridian Bank, N.A.